The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-03-18
POLITICAL ROW
IN RHODE ISLAND
Organization to Overthrow
"Oligarchy" Trying to
Start Reforms
AFTER TOWN SYSTEM
OF REPRESENTATIVES
Cannot Pass Progressive Laws While
Small Towns Control the Senate
Democrats and Labor Men Unite
Against Republicans.

PROVIDENCE, March lS.-Dissatisfied
with present political conditions in Rhode
Island and asserting that the constitution
of the state government has resulted in
an "oligarchy' which has persistently
stood in the way OF progressive measures,
the Rhode Island League for Democracy
has been organized b. Democratic party
leaders, labor men, and others concerned
in bringing about an improved situation.
The league says that every effort to
secure progressive measures in the legis-
lature has been blocked by the state SEN
ate which, it says, has been responsible
for the defeat in Rhode Island Of the last
four federal amendments TO the constitu-
ton. The league says that the power
held by this group since the state constI-
tuition was adopted in 1912 is due to the
fact that the senate is composed of one
member from each city and town, thereby
giving the country districts, strong in
old-time Republican policies and unfavor-
able to the forward movements needed Ill
the cities, SO members to only six for the
cities. In other words, they point our,
representation of about 30 per cent of the
entire population of the state, is in abso-
lutte control of all proposed legislation
The leagues primary aim is to over
throw the alleged "oligarchy' by securing
an amendment to the state constitution
providing for proportional representation
in the state legislature. With the people
OF the state proportionately represented
the league believes that it will be possible
to put through bills for constitutional con.
ventions, abolition OF the Sl3i property
qualifications for voting and other needed
legislation which, il ASSERTS, has no chance
IN the state senate as at present consti,
tuted
At different times charges that Rcpub.
Ecan politicians have combined to prevent
progressive movements have been made
and whether true or not, the league de
clares that the results have warranted
the belief The leaders assert that il is
indicated at the present time in the re
fusal of the Republicans in the legislator,
to allow the proposed amendment abolish
ing the property qualification to leave th,
committee for a discussion Of its merits
y general demand for action on the meas
ure has been made by labor men and sol
diers and sailors returning from the ser
vice, but thus far to no avail.
1t is declared by the league that it i
not an insurgent body formed from tn,
Democratic party, but an organization
which aims to provide legislative ma
chinery which shall operate with fair
ness to all the people of the state. Will
regard to this it says: ''The members o
this organization entertain varying opin
ions as to the kind Of laws which a Rhod,
Island legislature, however constituted
should enact. But all are united in tn,
belief that before any particular lcgisla
tien is advanced there should be a legisla
tive machinery in existence which shoul,
truly and fully function in such man
ner as to equally and impartialy repre-
sent all parts Of the body polite in pro
portion to the numerical strength Of sucl
parts"