Evening star., 1935-01-17

Rhode Islands Democratic Legis-
lature amazed the rest of the country
with its wholesale and abrupt ousting
Of ofhce-holders. including the mem
bers of the State Supreme Court.
1T must make some of the old
time Rhode Islanders rub their eyes
and wonder If they are dreaming. as
they view the recent political events
in that State" says the Salem Evening
News. THE Democrats, having gained
control Of the entire State govern
ment for the first time in 65 years,
Immediately discharged the whole
Supreme Court, and abolished 80 State
departments. They fired the high
sheriff of Providence County and 35
deputy sheriffs and other officers.
These moves sound rather high
handed, and as if many competent
officials would be cast out. But out
siders are not in a position to judge.
After one party has had control of a
State government for IS years condi-
tionS may exist that should be cor
rected."
Taking a similar position, the Mil
waukee Journal observes: For much
more than a generation Rhode Island
has been politically corrupt, with the
corruption reaching down to individ-
ual voters. Its mills imported the
lowest and cheapest grade Of foreign
help. They exploited the ignorance
and docihty of these workers shame
lessly. Textile cities of Rhode Island
and Massachusetts, have been sore
spots of the Nation. In September
there were industrial riots and loss of
life. Now Rhode Island turns over its
government. We do not know whether
this revolution is popular, whether it
is directed toward a more decent day
in the industrial cities of Rhode
Island. 1t may be merely changing
one gang for another. Yet we cannot
help seeing that it is possible for an
| American community to overturn In a
single day the accustomed assurances
of republican government We must
see also that this is directly related
to the kind of government there has
been-an alliance of corrupt business
with corrupt politics"
"It was rough stuff, all right, and
not at all pretty" says the Charleston
IS. c. Evening Post. at was doubt
less illegal, but the new Supreme
Court will be able to cure that de-
feet The Willian1sport (Pa) Sun
points out, however, that, go years
ago the Republicans of Rhode Island.
apparently in order to bring the gov
ernmental machinery OF the State
under their complete control, adopted
various unusually broad laws giving
the majority in the Legislature the
authority to remove judges of the
States Supreme Court and to termi-
nate several official bodies"
"The coup d'etat Is the latest in
many conspicuous acts which have
distinguished Rhode Island since pride
impelled her to refuse to ratify the
Federal Constitution, for fear her size
would initiate against her receiving
the rights that other bigger States
might have" the Columbus Evening
Dispatch remarks. "And though the
abrupt and blunt seizure of power by
aspolitical party may be against her
ancient ideals and the royal charter
under which she began life nearly
three centuries ago, it is q familiar
enough spectacle in the world Of to-
day"
The Louisville Courier-Journal re-
calls of Rhode Island: 'Last of the
thirteen colonies to join the Union.
Rhode Island was first to enjoy local
self-goyernment, the particular favor
ite of Charles II. Its charter served
for q constitution till the middle of
the eighteenth century. 1t even re-
tanned its two Colonial capitals to be-