The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-09
A DEMOCRATIC VICTORY.


majority in the house of representatives even upon
the single proposition to create committee on
labor, is cheering sign. Occurring thus early it
furnishes some ground for hope that the uncom-
promising partisan spirit that heretofore has in
fuenoed the action OF the majority is weakening
and that before the end of the session Republican
legislators may be willing to consider and vote
upon measures according to their merits rather
than in accordance with the promptings of parti-
san prejudice in compliance with the commands
OF discredited and designing boss.
1t was notable victory the Democratic
minority achieved in this labor committee contest
They because they had right on their side, and
because supporting that right they had ability,
courage and steadfastness Their arguments were
forceful, truthful and unanswerable.
The attempts OF the vociferous Mr. Allen and
The vouble Mr.. Harris to refute these arguments
were farcical hascos. For example the East Green
witch representative said he failed to remember
any instance when any labor legislation measure
had been pigconholed by the committee on special
legislation
Mr.. Aliens memory must be strangely defec-
tive exceedingly accommodating if he does not
know that the committee on special legislation of
the last house of representatives, of which the
present carpet-bag speaker the chairman, com
mitted to its pigeon hole graveyard more bills af-
fecting the interests of labor than any committee
OF any preceding general assembly.
So, too, with Mr.. Harris He contended that
a committee on labor is unnecessary, inasmuch as
only six labor measures introduced at the last
session, yet it was shown that OF those six five
throttled by the committee on special egis-
fation.
Perhaps the most ridiculous contention adj
vanccd during the debate put forward by
Representative Peck of Warren who could not
understand why committee on labor should be
created, thus giving labor interests as much i'm
portance and attention the militia and fisheries
OF course, in the eyes of such a de-bound
partisan the from Warren, the interests
of the hundred thousand toilers in the mills fac
tories, workshops and other industrial employ
ments who make Rhode Island prosperous are of
little consequence in comparison with the interests
of our handful of militiamcn or those Of few
hundred fishermen
1t is fortunate for the army OF wage workers
in this state that their interests are not committed
solely to the guardianship of men of the Peck
calibre of mentality II they were, the cause of
labor would receive scant attention and little aid
from the states lawmakers.
The fact is that no argument worthy moments
serious consideration by sensible men can be made
In opposition to the creation of committee to con-
slider measures relating to labor. Rhode Island is
essentially manufacturing state. very large
part of its people engaged in industrial pur-
suits, and still larger part dependent upon
those who toll
Manfestly legislation affecting the well-bcing
OF such large and important element in the
community is of the greatest and should
be passed upon by committee which will not only
be free from the consideration OF measures of
general character, but which will give fair, impair
tal and even sympathetic hearings TO those who
speak in labors cause.
No such hearing obtainable from the com
mittee on special legislation which during recent
legislative sessions has betrayed not only repre-
hensible hostility toward measures designed to
ameiorate the condition Of labor but has been the
active instrument of the boss in strangling such
measures.
Thanks to the splendid fight made by the
Democrats yesterday and to the independence OF
the seven Republicans who aided by their votes,
labor measures will during the present session at
least, receive the consideration TO which they are
entitled. They will not be at the mercy OF the
boss oonniitte Of official strangers.