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


present caucus law also shows the imper-
ative need OF It's overhauling. | believe
the Australian system should bo adopted
for caucuses. that the time limit OF II
months for taking part in caucuses OF
different parties or signing different nom
nation papers, should be materially les
Sened, and that other equally important
changes should be made. Strict measures
ought TO be adopted with regard to illegal
voting both at caucuses and at elections
The recent experience i'm the town of
North Providence shows conclusive neces-
sity for immediate legislation in this line.
Corrupt Practices and Lobbying
| would suggest for your early con
sideration the passage OF an act re-
latlng to corrupt practices I'm primaries,
elections, legislation, etc. Massachu-
setts and Ohio have modern. fair and
approved laws on this subject The
laws in other states generally include
provisions for full publicity under oath,
OF all receipts and expenditures di-
rectly or Indirectly made by nominees.
candidates, political committees, etc.
with sources OF such receipts; pro-
hibition Of all contributions from cor
porations for political purposes or to
any nominee. candidate or political
party, or for the purpose OF influencing
legislation directly or indirectly; the
fine and imprisonment OF any agent
or officer OF a corporation knowing
or permitting such contribution and the
forfeiting by such corporation OF its
right TO do business in the state, when
the agent or officer acts with full
knowledge OF the corporation; stringent
laws regarding bribery, with full i'm
munity from punishment TO persons
furnishing evidence as TO the bribery;
strict prohibition OF intimidation or
undue influence OF employees by en-
ployers. etc.
| would recommend in such an act
provision forbidding any person TO take
or collect for political purposes any
funds or contributions from municipal
or stete employees laborers, etc, AMI
one forbidding such employees TO make
such contributions.
I would also recommend stringent
law on the subject OF lobbying. a law
similar to that adopted in Massachu-
setts several years ago. The evils of
lobbying have been practiced i'm Rhode
Island TO disgraceful extent. The
difference between lobbying i'm Other
states and that I'm our commonwealth IA
is that in such other states the cor
rupt work has been done by many
lobbyists, while here IL has been re-
duced not only TO fine art, but to an
exclusive and oppressive monopoly.
one man alone does practically ali the
lobbying in the Rhode Island legisla-
ture. And 10 facilitate the carrying on
OF his corrupt practices i'm past years
he has been established permanently
with full equipment i'm the high sheriff's
office. within this very state capitol
This is condition OF affairs which has
been tolerated as long as il should be.
The welfare of our state peremptorily
demands vigorous and prompt action on
this matter action which will result i'm
keeping from within these walls lobby
lists like the one above described-one
declared by my respected predecessor
TO he menace TO the state OF Rhode
Island.
Insurance
The subject of insurance is one which
has lately received much attention In
other states. The investigation carried on
by the Armstrong committee of New York
proved that many OF the companies had
been mismanaged and had been guilty of
the most extraYagant, IL not criminal con-
dust. IL is agreed. however. that such
mismanagement and misconduct were due
To those placed in charge of the business
rather than 10 any inherent fallacies i'm
the principles of the business itself, though
the very important fact was established
that life insurance is costing the policy
holder a great deal more than Is neces-
ssry according to established mortality
tables.
There Is now no insurance company in
corporated under Rhode Island laws do
Ing business here, although the business
has increased in wonderful proportions
during the last 80 years. In 1875 the
premium collections OF the 20 legal reserve
companies doing business here amounted
To sG1, 1884. The amount OF insurance at
that time was $40 2A. In 1905 the pre-
MUM collections OF 81 companies doing
business here amounted to A,0l6,24. and
the amount OF insurance then I'm force was
$l03 03i. .316
You will observe from these figures that
the great amount OF business transacted
in this state is "A question which affects
our entire population. In these figures no
mention is made of fraternal beneficiary
associations which have insurance fea-
lures. our laws make no provision con-
Cerning them. As a general rule the in
sured In such fraternal associations are
the ones who particularly need protection
from the state. This Is the only state
which does not provide for a supervision
OF such societies
/ would, therefore, recommend such
legislation as will require fratornal So
cleties To make annual or more frequent
reports 10 the state insurance commission
or. and which will give him reasonable
legislation along the lines OF laws recent
" enacted In New York as will afford
proper protection To the insured In other
life Insurance companies doing business in
Rhode. Island.
Finances
According 10 figures and estimates sub
mltted by the state auditor the total es-
timated expenses for 1906 on account OF
general appropriations Is 81 90, A. This
total is increased 10 a grand total Of So
S1O,96l.96 through the highway account Of
Sl43, ,04364, and the Providence armory con
strUcton account. amounting 30 $237. .0S5 S.
This grand total does not include tho
December 1906 bills on the highway and
Providence armory construction accounts
Tne estimated total receipts for 1906 Is
81, 900 s62 26.
IL will thus be seen that during the past
year we have had an estimated deficit Of
$3.50, 20 Under ordinary conditions and
with economical management or total
receipts ought to exceed by substantial
margins our total current and ordinary