The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-03
GOVERNOR HIGGINS MESSAGE.

Governor Higgins message to the general as
sembly accurately reflects the sturdy and straight
forward character OF the man who penned it. 1t is
direct, forceful and earnest In il neither empty
phrases nor sounding platitudes find place 1t ex-
presses with virile vigor the convictions of an ex-
ecutive who sees clearly the urgent needs of the
people, and who has the courage to demand the
legislation that will supply those needs.
OF first Importance Governor Higgins regards
, the immediate amendment of the constitution in
such way will remedy the present notorousy
unequal and unjust representation i'll the general
assembly. The existing constitution he views
wholly inadequate to the latter-day needs of the
commonwealth and he points out the obvious and
gross unfarness of its provisions which give to the
five cities, containing $4,000 inhabitants, or nearly
threequarters of the total population of the entire
state. only FIVE senators out of thirty-eight, while
equal representation is enjoyed by the five
smallest towns with population of only 400.
Only little less glaring is the inequality of rep
resentaton in the house. Though the five cities
pay practically three-fourths of the taxes of the
entire state they have combined only thirty-one
members out OF total membership of seventy
two.
Not only does this inequality work injustice
upon the larger municipalities, but the governor
declares 1T is the worst form of taxation without
representation 1t is substantially denial of re-
publican form of government to the state of Rhode
Island. 1t has become the means by which gov
ernmental msrule in this state has been -perpetu
ated for long while-a msrule which has unfor
tunately and undeSerVedly diSCredited the good
of our state throughout the union
To remedy this manifest evil the governor
recommends the approval of constitutional
amendment that will give fair representation to
the towns and cities throughout the state
The comforting ypf the veto power upon the
executive is urged by the governor, who says he
does not believe the overwhelming sentiment in
favor of such an amendment will be satisfied by
any sham nominal veto that be overridden
by bare majority. a veto should be nullihed only
by two-thirds three-hfths vote, the governor
insists
The property qualification he declares should
be abolished, because it is wrong in theory and
unjust in practice. The only present day result of
the maintenance of the property qualification lis
the wholesale jugglery and manipulation of the
personal property list So it happens that the
vote of the bona fde real estate taxpayers is nu-
fed by the straw personal property voter who is
manufactured by the tax assessors.
By disqualifyng than half the voters in
the municipalities of the state the property quail
ihcation establishes rule by a small minority,
rule utterly opposed to the best traditions Of Amer
ican government Moreover, though the burden
OF taxation is not placed directly upon the registry
voter he has to bear it equally with those upon
whom it is directly imposed.
Amendment of the ballot law so that the
present unwaranted hindrances to independent
voting may be removed is recommended, and the
governor also urges the extension of the time for
registration TO within thirty days OF the date of
election tic De1eVes registration othcerS should
be required to visit the several voting districts dur
ing the month six weeks preceding election TO
facilitate registration
With full justification Governor Higgins
sharply criticses the Providence board of can
vassers and registration for its nsoent and unac-
commodatng' treatment of registry voters, which
has worked hardship and even financial loss upon
many thousands of non-propcrty owning citizens.
1t is the governors belief that the Australian
ballot system should be applied to all caucuses and
that the time limit OF fourteen months for taking
part in the primaries OF different parties or7sgning
nomination papers should be shortened. Strict
measures to prohibit and punish illegal voting at
caucuses well at elections ought TO be enact
ed into law.
A law providing effective and sautary penalties
for corrupt practices in primaries elections and in
the procuring of legislation, and providing for full
publicity concerning contributions and expendi-
lures for political purposes is OF the urgent
qurements of the state
Equally imperative is the enactment OF law
similar to that now in force in Massachusetts re-
lating to lobbying. The evils of lobbying prac-
ticcd in this state have grown TO disgracefu
tent in Rhode Island
"The difference between lobbying in other
states and that in our own commonwealth says
Governor Higgins, SIS that in such other states
the corrupt work has been done by many lobbyists
while here il has been reduced not only 10 fine
art, but TO an exclusive and oppressive monopoly
"Onc man alone does practically all the lobby
ing in the Rhode Island legislature. And to facli-
tate the carrying Of his corrupt practices in past
years he has been established permanently, with
full equipment in the high sherif's office within
this very capitol.
This is condition Of affairs which has been