The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-10

LOBBYING AND CORRUPT PHAC-
TICEs.
renew the recommendation made a
year ago concerning the regulation OF
/ lobbying and corrupt practices In cleo
tions, primaries, etc. During the past
year there has been some relief from the
former evil. For part OF the time at
least the lobbying headquarters have
been removed from room 207 In this
tuilding The people of the state have
also been given assurances that no more
lobbying Is TO be done i'm this capitol by
the one individual who has done practi-
cally all OF II here for the past 80 years.
Such a result is indeed encouraging But
whether or not the promises OF the chief
lobbyist shall be kept, the state certa My
needs effective legislation 10 prevent
recurrence OF the disgraceful scenes
which have been enacted in the sheriff's
Office in the state capitol for years.
have no objection whatever TO legiti-
mate lobbying for reputable and public
purposes II ought TO be regulated,
however as is done In some other states,
for instance. I'm Massachusetts,, where
any person appearing lobbyist must
give the names of the persons by whom
he Is employed. as well as the purposes.
duration. etc Of his employment.
OF equal advantage would be law
compelling a written statement under
rolitical committees. nominees, etc. also
provisions prohibiting under serious PEN
atty CORPORATE contribut ons 10 political
parties or for the purpose OF influencing
legislation. as well as provisions prohib-
iiing political contributions directly or
indirectly from state or municipal labor
ers and employees.
UNIFORMITY OF LAWS.
Thore IS at this time general move
ment throughout the country toward uni
formity Of legislation, on the part OF the
different states. affecting certain meters
not within the Jurisdiction OF the federal
government No little embarrassment in
business transactions. as well as in the
administration of justice, has been caused
through conflicting and disagreeing laws
in the several states
Among the various laws considered with
a view to uniformity are the warehouse
receipts act uniform sales act, pure food
bill. and the negotiable instruments act.
The latter has been adopted in IS juris-
dictions. among which is Rhode Island.
The warehouse receipts act has been
adopted In eight jurisdictions, and the
sales act In three. all within year from
the time they were recommended by the
national conference Of commissioners on
uniform state laws.
A pure food law substantially in ac-
cordance with the federal bill passed June
30 1906. has been adopted in 81 states. Our
state has not yet become the dumping
ground for adulterated or deleterious COM
pounds. but such danger IS possible.
especially with the adoption Of stricter
regulations on the part OF neighboring
states. The chief abuses i'm Rhode Island
have hitherto arisen from harmful in
gradients used through Ignorance As
the federal law applies only TO such arti-
-. 49,
merce. state law Is needed to supple
ment the national law
T. therefore. recommend the adoption OF
a pure food law, and also the adoption OF
the uniform warehouse receipts act, and
the uniform sales act referred to above.
FINANCES.
The report following this message
appendix A. submitted by the general
treasurer. shows the receipts and expendi-
lures during the past year. From such
report Il will be seen that the total re-
ceipts exceeded the Disbursements by $780,
1880 This is, OF course, a creditable
showing Though of the general account
alone $4,000 is on deposit in the Union
Trust company, and now unavailable: and
about $9h 600 belonging TO the various other
departments OF the state is also on deposit
there, and likewise unavailable
With the m ny pressing and extraor-
binary expenditures. n few OF which are
above referred to, our state will find Il
necessary I'm the coming year TO practice
the most rigid economy In order TO live
within its income. The fixed expenses
should be nMnimzed as much as possible.
and all unnecessary items should be
promptly eliminated In order 10 make pro-
vision for the large number of unusual
expenses which we must meet very soon.
I believe the financial condition and
| - ~ IA
towns also deserve consideration at the
hands of the state. especially since such
cities and towns are the creatures OF the
st te and I'm a sense responsible TO IT,
While in most OF our municipalities the
payment OF the bonded Indebtedness is
provided for through a sinking fund, no
such provision or precaution has been
taken concerning the payment Of notes
and other unbonde3 Indebtedness Many
OF such municipalities continue TO pay
their notes year after year by renewing
them for a larger rmount. Temporary
tax loans negotiated with the idea that
they are TO be liduidated directly out of
the taxes when paid are likewise renewed
rather than paid when the taxes come In.
while the litter are used for the payment
OF other obiEations.
Such practices must in the long run
lead TO disastrous results There Is no
should not be obliged by law to make
some sound provision for the payment Of
Its notes and other Indebtedness. as we'll
os for the payment Of its bonds. I. there
fore. recommend this subject TO your care
ful consideration. with the belief th"t ac-
tion on your part will result in promoting
the financial honor OF the state. as we'll
as improving the fiscal management or
the town and city.
OTHER SUBJECTS.
Among other subjects which ! recon-
ment for your consideration are Cd the
enactment OF laws rendering member
of the legisl ture Ineligible for election to
ans office during the term Of such MEM
ber, the incumbent whereof is appointed
by the governor or elected by the legisla-
ture or by either house or senate; C2)
law preventing all municipal or state Of
ficals from being interested In any con-
tracts OF other business transactions In
which such municipalities or the state or
any OF It's departments may be n party:
CD n rigid scrutiny OF the factory inspec-