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RHODE ISLAND
THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
Charles Gawell
C
RHODE ISLAND Three Centuries of Democracy
By CHARLES CARROLL, A. B., LL. B., A. M., Ph. D., LL. D. State Director of Vocational Education; Professor of Law and Government and Rhode Island Education, Rhode Island College of Education; Managing Editor of Quarterly Journal of Rhode Island Institute of Instruction. Author of School Law of Rhode Island, Public Education in Rhode Island, Rhode Island State Song, Etc.
VOLUME I
LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC. NEW YORK 1932
COPYRIGHT LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC. 1932
1225165
DEDICATION
This Story of Rhode Island Democracy broadening through three centuries is dedicated affectionately to Honorable Walter Eugene Ranger Commissioner of Education and Lover of Democracy to whose kindly interest and encouragement of occasional studies in the field I attribute my ambition to write a comprehensive history of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations My Native State
PREFACE
EARLY three centuries ago Rhode Island, in a manner particularly its own, discovered a solution for the most vexatious and troublesome problem of the period-that of reconciling men and women with strong "persuasions in reli- gious concernments" to living peacefully in community with neighbors entertain- ing no less vigorous opinions, though the latter might be even radically different in theory and practice. It was found in Rhode Island that where government restricts its functions to "civil matters only" and does not lend itself or its authority to persecution or discrimination because of religion, men and women may live happily in heterodoxy, and a vigorous, progressive and prosperous commonwealth may rise. Scarcely less radical for the time than the complete separation of state and church in colonial Rhode Island was the introduction in the earliest years of the popular initiative and referendum with other devices assuring a "democratical form" of government. Ingenious Rhode Islanders found ways of adapting the corporate form of government prescribed by the Charter of 1663 to a continuing experiment with democracy in a self-governing republic within the British Empire. Mainte- nance of the republic involved quarrels with the mother country ripening into a war for inde- pendence ; one who studies the early history of Rhode Island understandingly scarcely may fail to note the progress of the struggle for democracy tending almost inevitably to revolution. Post-revolutionary history has been no less noteworthy, as Rhode Island has advanced stead- fastly to broader conception of democracy of a type more liberal even than that which startled seventeenth and eighteenth century contemporaries. Through three centuries a persistent, unconquerable Rhode Island spirit has pervaded the social milieu.
My boyhood and youth had given me a glimpse of the Rhode Island spirit ; my education and contact with affairs confirmed it. My own occasional studies of men and events in Rhode Island history, incidental principally to my work with Commissioner Ranger in the state divi- sion of public education service related a patriotic instruction in public and other schools, led me some years ago to the wish that I might write a comprehensive history of my native state from a distinctly Rhode Island point of view. For the time being the project remained in abeyance because partly of the pressure of official and professional duties and partly of the remote probability of finding a publisher able and willing to undertake the printing, in view of the restricted market for state histories. Three years ago the project was revived when the Lewis Historical Publishing Company offered its resources for printing and selling a his- tory of Rhode Island on terms which, though generous, were much less attractive to me than the opportunity to realize my ambition. I wish to record here my appreciation (I) of the service of the Lewis Historical Company throughout the period of our relations as author and publisher, (2) of the unfailing courtesy and kindness of members of the Lewis organi- zation, and (3) of the unusual liberality displayed in permitting me to write as I wished and in printing what I wrote without a comment, criticism or suggestion for change. The Lewis Historical Publishing Company has exemplified the Rhode Island motto, which, in this instance, may be rewritten to read : "Rara temporum felicitas ubi sentire quae velis et quae sentias scribere licet."
A postiori, the work itself must justify the faith of publisher and subscribers, the latter including many good friends who have bought because of confidence and generosity ; a priori,
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PREFACE
it was desirable to approach prospective purchasers of a new history of Rhode Island with something more than an outline and the name of the author-with respect to the latter par- ticularly, with somebody willing to stand as sponsor and to recommend him. At the begin- ning a board of advisers and indorsers was recruited, the membership including His Excel- lency the Governor and other general state officers and heads of departments, members of the State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education, the Presidents of four Rhode Island colleges, other prominent educators, and leading men in professional and commercial service. To all of these, among them some of the most valuable and distinguished citizens of Rhode Island, the author expresses his thanks for the confidence reposed in him personally and in his work. Their courteous acceptance in the first instance of the invitation to become members of the Board of Advisers and Endorsers encouraged him, and their gracious assist- ance from time to time has sustained him in his effort to write a history worthy of them and of their endorsement.
Finally there have been friends who have helped by kind words, librarians who have loaned books and documents, associates in service who have tried to lighten the author's work by cheerful help, and a devoted wife and family who have endured three years of life with a recluse buried in tomes and musty documents away from which he must be taken almost by force for meals and sleep. The compensation has been the joy of accomplishment and the hope that this history of Rhode Island may be read by those who buy it. Its purpose will have been accomplished if more Rhode Islanders learn to understand and appreciate Rhode Island.
CHARLES CARROLL.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I-WHY RHODE ISLAND?
Dominating Influence of Water and Waterways, 3; Rhode Island Includes Narragansett Bay and Land Enough to Defend it, 4; Genius of the Geographer Who Planned Rhode Island and Its Boundaries, 5; Advantages of Narragansett Bay as a Harbor, 6; Waterways as Means of Communication or Isolation, 8; Geological Phenomena, 9.
CHAPTER II-EARLY VISITORS TO RHODE ISLAND.
Irish Tales of Discovery, II; Story of the Norsemen, II; Old Stone Mill, 12; Mount Hope Rock and Dighton Rock, 13; Miguel Cortereal, 13; Verrazzano, 15; Rhode Island Indians of Sixteenth Century, 15; Adrian Block, 17.
CHAPTER III-EARLY RHODE ISLAND SETTLERS.
William Blackstone, 19; Roger Williams --- Settlement in Providence, 19; Education and Religious Opinions, 20; Persecution in Massachusetts, 21; Relations with Indians, 21 ; Ban- ishment from Massachusetts, 22; Removal from Seekonk to Providence, 23; Anne Hutch- inson-Settlement at Pocasset, 24; Antinomian Heresy, 24; Banishment from Massachu- setts, 25; Migration of Followers to Rhode Island, 26; Settlement of Newport, 27; Samuel Gorton at Shawomet, 28; Later Settlers, 29; French Huguenots, 30; Dutch, 31 ; Hebrews, 32.
CHAPTER IV-RELATIONS WITH THE INDIANS.
Early Friendship of Colonists and Indians, 33; Indian Tribes in Southern New Eng- land, and Their Relations, 34; Early Alliances, 34; Pequot War, 35; Death of Miantonomah, 36; Uncas, the Marplot, 37; Narragansett Submission to the King, 38; Puritan Meddling in Indian Affairs and Its Consequences, 38; Rhode Island Charter Protection for Indians, 39; King Philip's War, 39; Great Swamp Fight, 41; Hunger March, 42; Nine Men's Misery, 42; Deaths of Canonchet and Philip, 43; Disintegration of the Narragansetts, 44; Legislative Guardianship, 45; Dissolution of Tribe, 46; Monuments to Indians, 46.
CHAPTER V-RELATIONS WITH MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT.
Exiles and Emigrants from Massachusetts, 49; Irrepressible Conflict Betwixt Theocracy and Democracy, 50; Enduring Vindictiveness of Massachusetts Puritans, 51; Rhode Island- ers Maltreated, 52; A Glorious Page in Rhode Island History, 53; Hanging of Mary Dyer, 54; Armed Invasion of Rhode Island, 54; Trial and Punishment of Samuel Gorton, 56; Parliamentary Patent and Efforts of Plymouth and Massachusetts to Nullify It, 57; Boundary Disputes with Connecticut, 58; Traitors Within Rhode Island, 60; Andros Intervenes, 61 ; Boundary Disputes with Plymouth and Massachusetts, 62; Twentieth Century Boundary Problems, 64.
CHAPTER VI-ORGANIZING A DEMOCRACY.
Lively Experiment at Providence, 67; Early Life in the New Town, 69; Providence Compact, 70; Move to Obtain a Royal Patent, 72; Government at Aquidneck, 72; Exodus to Newport, 73; Reunion of Portsmouth and Newport, 74; General Court of 1642, 76; Par- liamentary Patent, 77; Bogus Narragansett Patent, 79; Thorough Organization Achieved in 1648, 81; Initiative and Referendum Introduced, 83; Code of Laws Adopted, 84;
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Weakness of Confederacy, 86; Representative Assembly and Substitution of Referendum for Initiative, 87; Wreck of Confederacy, 88; Coddington Usurpation, 89; Revival of Con- federacy, 91 ; Restoration of Stuarts and Effect in Rhode Island, 95; Movement for a New Charter, 96; Charter of 1663, 96; Reorganization Under the Charter, 99; Bicameral Assem- bly, 100; Royal Commission in Rhode Island, 101; Financial Troubles, 103; Discord in Providence, 104; Popular Government in Practice, 105.
CHAPTER VII-EARLY INDUSTRIAL AND SOCIAL LIFE.
Difficulties Attending Migration and Settlement, 109; Early Occupations, II0; Inns and Taverns, III; Shipbuilding, 112; Fisheries, 113; Agriculture, 113; Early Manufacturing, 114; Apprenticeship, 114; Colonial Morality, 115; Liberty of Conscience, 115; The Verein Case, 116; State and Religion, 116; Rise of Church Societies, 117; Taxation for Religion Voluntary, 118; How Rhode Island Differed from Massachusetts, 119; Early Education, I20; Rhode Island's Enviable Record, 121 ; Development of Commerce, 124.
CHAPTER VIII-RHODE ISLAND'S PARTICIPATION IN COLONIAL WARS.
England's Wars, 127; Privateering, 129; Block Island Attacked, 130; Early Privateer- ing, 131; Queen Anne's War, 132; War with Spain, 135; "Prince Charles of Lorraine," 137; War with France, 140; Siege of Louisburg, 141 ; Rhode Island's Part in the Capture of the Fortress, 142; Invasion of Canada Planned, 143; French and Indian War, 145; Ticonderoga, 150; Fort Frontenac, 151 ; Other Movements, 153.
CHAPTER IX-JEALOUS PRESERVATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN COLONIAL PERIOD.
A Revolution at the Polls, 155; Discord in New England, 157; Navigation Acts, 157; Quarrel Over Narragansett Country, 159; Quo Warranto Proceedings, 161; Andros in New England, 162; Demand for Surrender of Charter, and Answer, 162; Liberty of Conscience in England, 163; Charter Government Resumed, 164; Independence Asserted, 165; Alleged Friendship for Pirates, 166; Royalist Malcontents, 166; England Demands Copies of Rhode Island Laws, 167; "Law" Never Enacted, 170; Bellemont's Charges, 171; Era of Better Relations, 173; Dudley's Charges, 175; Common Sense in England, 176; Economic Con- flict, 177; Governor Cranston's Tact, 179; Governor Jencks and the Veto, 180; Paper Money, 182; Trade Restrictions, 185; Flags of Truce, 186; Fresh Causes of Friction, 187; Harass- ing of Industries, 188; Enforcement of English Mercantile Policy, 190.
CHAPTER X-GROWTH OF A COLONIAL COMMONWEALTH.
Governor Sanford's Report as of 1680, 193; Organization for Government, 194; Prob- lems of Taxation, 195; Transportation and Travel, 196; Weights and Measures, Regulation of Occupations, 197; Right of Residence, 197; Economic Conditions, 198; England's Inter- est in Slave Trade, 200; Abolition in Rhode Island, 201 ; Growth of Population and Conse- quences, 202; Paper Money, 202 ; Paper Money Loans from Treasury, 204; Trade Regula- tions, 205; Administrative Machinery, 206; Election Machinery-Property Qualification, 207 ; Public Property, 208; Readjustment of Representation, 210; Improved Transportation, 212; Printing of Laws, 213; Liberty of Conscience, 213; Judicial Machinery, 214; Paper Money Troubles, 215; Sectional Politics, 225; Election Laws, 228; Other Changes, 230; Condition of Colony in 1764, 230.
CHAPTER XI-THE IMPENDING REVOLUTION.
English Policy Affecting America After French and Indian War, 233; "Rights of Colonies Examined," 234; Affair of the "St. John" and the "Squirrel," 237; "Maidstone"
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Affair, 239; Stamp Act, 240; Rhode Island at the Stamp Act Congress, 243; Resistance to the Stamp Act, 243; Repeal of Stamp Act, 244; Newport Massacre, 245; Scuttling of the "Liberty," 248; Resistance to Imposts, 249; Burning of the "Gaspee," 252; Effect Else- where, 258; Rhode Island and Virginia Resolutions Propose Union, 259; Tax on Tea and Boston Port Bill, 260; Union of America Proposed, 261 ; Military Preparations, 262; Con- dition of Colony Preceding the Revolution, 264; March Toward Lexington, 265; Governor Wanton Deposed, 266; First Naval Engagement, 267; Drift Toward War, 268; Declara- tion of Independence, 269; Significance of Declaration, 270.
CHAPTER XII-RHODE ISLAND IN THE REVOLUTION (ABROAD).
Rhode Island Ready for War, 273; Rhode Island at Bunker Hill, 274; Invasion of Canada, 275; Navy and Esek Hopkins, 277; Campaign Around New York, 279; Exploit of Silas Talbot, 279; Long Island, 280; Harlem Heights and White Plains, 280; Captain Gibbs and the Life Guard, 280; Howland's Narrative, 281 ; Battle of Trenton, 284; Brave Rhode Islanders, 284; Assunpink Creek, 285; Battle of Princeton, 286; New Rhode Island Troops, 286; Brandywine Creek and Germantown, 287; Forts Mifflin and Mercer, 287; Valley Forge, 288; Monmouth, 289; Springfield, 290; Death of Colonel Greene, 290; General Greene Ordered South, 291 ; Yorktown, 292.
CHAPTER XIII-RHODE ISLAND IN THE REVOLUTION (AT HOME).
Measures for Defence, 293: Preparation for War, 294; Island Problems, 296; British Depredations, 297; Treatment of Tories, 298; Effects of War on Rhode Island Life, 300; Battle of Prudence Island, 301; Fortifying Rhode Island, 301 ; Arms and Ammunition Wanted, 304; Wartime Morale, 306: Warships and Privateers, 306; General Assembly Declares Independence, 307; Paper Money, 309; Additional Troops Raised, 311; British Occupation of Newport, 312; Maintaining Supplies, 315; Spencer's Rhode Island Expedi- tion, 315; Minor Engagements, 317; Barton Captures Prescott, 317; New England Confer- ence, 319; Paper Money Problems, 319; Rhode Island Joins the Union, 320; General Sulli- van in Command, 322; Invasion of Bristol, 322; Preparation for Attack on British, 323; Arrival of French Fleet, 324; French Storm, 325; Battle of Rhode Island, 326; Sullivan's Report of the Battle, 327; Valor of Rhode Island Troops, 328; Retreat from Rhode Island, 329; Reinforcements for British, 331 ; Exploit of Silas Talbot, 331 ; Distress in Rhode Island, 333; Supporting Congress, 335; Heavy Taxation, 337; South Carolina Sustains Rhode Island, 337; Evacuation of Newport, 338; Attempts to Relieve Distress, 339; More Taxa- tion, 342; French Fleet and Army Reach Rhode Island, 343; March to Yorktown, 345; Wartime Losses, 347; Agrarian Unrest, 348; After Yorktown, 349; Peace Announced, 350.
CHAPTER XIV-RHODE ISLAND AND THE UNION.
Attempts at Colonial Union, 351 ; Continental Congress, 352; Articles of Confederation, 353; Flag of Rhode Island, and Its Symbolism, 354; Progress of the Revolution, 356; Nature of the New Confederation, 357; Varnum Foretells Constitutional Convention, 358; Confed- eration Problems, 359; Opposition to Impost, 361 ; Rhode Island Rolls Back the Tide, 362; Howell's Victory Arouses Enmity. 366; Fresh Impost Proposition, 368; Persecution of Rhode Island Delegates, 370; Howell Challenged to Duel, 371 ; Movement for a New Con- stitution, 372; Annapolis Conference, 372; Constitutional Convention, 373; Rhode Island Position Explained, 373; And Criticised, 374; Constitution Rejected by the People, 374; Country vs. Town, 375; Rhode Island Delays Action, 376; A Minister Went to Church on Sunday, 377 ; And a Constitutional Convention Assembled in Rhode Island, 378; The Con- stitution Ratified, 379; Rhode Island Returned to the Union, 380; Evaluation of Rhode Island's Position, 380.
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CHAPTER XV-COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY-REHABILITATION.
Condition of State at Close of Revolution, 383; Post-War Measures, 384; Economic Relief Demanded, 387; Protest Against Paper Money, 388; Paper Money Party Wins at Polls, 389; When Greek Meets Greek, 390; Then Comes a Tug-of-War, 392; Trevett vs. Weeden, 392; Drastic Force Measures, 394; The Assembly Relents, 396; Repudiation Repealed, 396; Identification of Paper Money Issue with Constitution Issue, 397; Commerce and Manufacturing, 398; The Four Brothers, 401 ; John Brown, 402; East India Trade, 403; Samuel Slater, 405; Elijah Ormsbee, 406; "The Experiment," 408; Retrospect and Summary, 408.
CHAPTER XVI-REVIVAL OF EDUCATION IN POST-REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.
Schools Closed During War, 4II; Beginning of a State System, 4II; First Free Public School System in America, 416; John Howland and His Project for Free Schools, 418; Free Schools Established, 419; Lotteries to Aid Education, 420; A Fresh Movement, 421; Facts About Rhode Island, 422; Movement for State-Supported Schools in 1828, 423; Law of 1828, 425; Another Advance in Providence, 426; State Reports, 428; More Money, Better Schools, 430; First American Superintendent of Schools, 432; Free School vs. Public School in the Dorr Movement, 433; Permanent School Fund, 434; An Investigation of the General Treasury, 435; Vicissitudes of the Permanent Fund, 437; Sprague Failure, 438; Rehabilita- tion of Permanent Fund, 439; Brown University, 439.
CHAPTER XVII-SECOND WAR WITH ENGLAND.
Impressment Issue, 443; Silas Talbot Builds the "Constitution," 444; Education of Oliver Hazard Perry, 444; Affair of the "Peggy," 444; Threats of War and Minor Wars, 445 ; "Chesapeake" and the "Leopard," 446; The Embargo, 447; Mr. Madison's War, 448; Hartford Convention, 452; Oliver Hazard Perry's Expedition to Lake Erie, 453; Battle of Lake Erie, 455; Perry's Victory Recognized, 455; Rhode Islanders in the Battle, 458; "Yankee," Privateer, 459; The Mexican War, 459; Career of Matthew C. Perry, 461 ; Perry Opens Japan, 463.
CHAPTER XVIII-THE SECOND REVOLUTION IN RHODE ISLAND.
Adjustment of Political Machinery After 1663, 465; Omnipotent General Assembly, 465 ; Discussion of Representation in Assembly, 466; The Assembly Enacts a Bill of Rights, 468; Digest of 1798, 470; The Constitutional Movement, 472; Property Qualification Not Constitutional But Legal, 474; Movement to Obtain a Constitution, 474; The Suffrage Issue, 476; Majority Elections, 477; Requests for a Constitutional Convention, 478; Landholders' Convention, 479; The Dorr Movement, 480 ; Call for a Constitutional Convention, 483 ; Dorr, on "The Rights of the People," 483; The Referendum, 485; A Complex Situation, 486; Assembly Action, 486; Landholders' Constitution Rejected, 487; "Journal" "Doubts the Vote," 488; Opinion of the Judges, 488; Opinion of the Nine Lawyers, 489; Peace Rejected, 489 ; Rhode Island Had Two Governors, 490; Appeals to Washington, 490; President Tyler's Good Advice, 491; Weakness of Charter Government, 493; Insurrection in Arms, 495; Attack on Arsenal, 495; Affairs of Acote's Hill, 497; Constitutional Convention Ordered, 498; The New Constitution, 499; Attitude of Democrats, 500; Inaugurating a New Govern- ment, 502; Philosophy of Dorr Movement, 503; Supreme Court Avoids Deciding Dorr Issue, 503; Dorr Returns to Face Trial, 504; Trial and Sentence of Dorr, 505; Habeas Corpus Denied, 506; Revolution at Polls, 506; Liberation of Dorr. 507; Investigation by Congress, 508; Evaluation of Dorr Movement, 510.
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CHAPTER XIX-THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IN RHODE ISLAND.
Early Prosperity Attending Farming and Commerce, 513; Changes Following the Revo- lutionary War, 514; Foreign Commerce and Slave Trade, 515; Moses Brown and Textiles, 515; Rapid Development of Cotton Textile Industry, 516; Other Industries, 517; Woolens and Worsteds, 518; Print-cloths, 518; Textile Machinery and Other Metal Products, 519; Rhode Island Entrepreneurs, 520; Rise and Fall of House of Sprague, 520; Developing River Waterpower, 521; Road Building, 522; Blackstone Canal, 523; Railways, 524; Packets and Steamboats, 525; Banking and Credit, 525; Insurance, 526; English Competition, 528; Increase of Population, 530; The Rhode Island Factory System, 531; Immigration, 534; The Changes of Half a Century, 535.
CHAPTER XX-EVOLUTION OF THE STATE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
Educational Aspects of Dorr Movement, 537; Survey Ordered, 537; Henry Barnard, 538; Barnard's Methods, 538; What the Survey Revealed, 539; Education Reorganized, 541 ; Responsibility for Maintenance Made Municipal, 541; Tuition Abolished, 542; Text- books Free, 542; Compulsory Attendance, 544; Religious Question, 544; Color Question, 545 ; Perfection of Attendance Laws, 546; Improvement of Instruction, 547; Banishing the District, 548; Building a State Department, 549; The Work of the Commissioner, 550; State Board of Education, 552; Tax Exemption, 553; Thirty Years as Commissioner, 554; Another Survey, 555; Schools at the End of the Century, 556.
CHAPTER XXI-STATE AND NATIONAL POLITICS BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR.
Early Strength of Federalist Party, 559; Satisfaction with Constitution as Amended by Bill of Rights, 560; Alien and Sedition Laws, 561; The Reaction in Rhode Island, 562; State and National Politics Become Identical, 564; Nominating Convention Developed, 566; Whigs vs. Democrats, 567; A Bitter Contest, 568; Anti-Masonic Movement, 569; The Fiasco of 1832, 570; The Protective Tariff, 571 ; The Expunging Resolution, 573; Revision of Statutes and New State Constitution, 574; Effect of Dorr Movement on Parties, 576; Decline of Whigs and Victory of Democrats, 577; The Democratic Program, 579; Rhode Island Anticipated Peace Treaties Seventy-five Years, 581; The Know Nothing Interval Short in Rhode Island, 582; The Slavery Issue, 586; Rise of a New Party, 591; State Politics, 591 ; State Administration, 594; The Peace Conference of 1861, 596.
CHAPTER XXII-RHODE ISLAND IN THE CIVIL WAR.
President Lincoln Calls for Troops, 599; Rhode Island Troops Away, 599; Last Peace Offer Rejected, 600; Second Rhode Island Regiment, 601 ; Opens Bull Run Battle, 601 ; Rhode Island Covers Retreat, 602; California Sends Colors, 603; After Bull Run, 604; New Regiments Organized, 604; Portsmouth Grove, 605; More Troops Raised, 606; Mone- tary Difficulties, 609; New State Administration, 610; Lincoln Administration Indorsed, 611 ; The Last Romantic War, 613; Records of Rhode Island Regiments, 614; First Infantry, 614; Second Infantry, 615; Fourth Infantry, 617; Seventh Infantry, 618; Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Infantry, 619; First Cavalry, 620; Second Cavalry, 621 ; Third Regi- ment and Seventh Squadron, Cavalry, 621; Third Heavy Artillery, 622; Fifth Heavy Artil- lery, 623; Fourteenth Heavy Artillery, 625; Light Batteries, 626; First Light Artillery -Batteries A and B, 626; Batteries C and D, 627; Batteries E, F and G, 629; Battery H, 630; Other Records, 630; Post Bellum Reconstruction, 633; Political Quarrels, 633; Sol- dier Memorials, 636; Grand Army of the Republic, 637; Grand Army Flag Day, 639.
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CHAPTER XXIII-IDEALS AND STATE POLITICS.
Issues in the Constitution of 1842, 641; Proposed Constitutional Amendments, 641 ; Party Strength After 1860; 642; Suffrage Qualifications, 643; Committee Report on Pro- posed Changes, 645; Constitutional Convention Discussed, 647; Prohibition as a Party Issue, 648; Constitutional Prohibition, 651; Children of Immigrants in Politics, 653; Sprague Campaign of 1883, 654; Proposed Suffrage Amendments, 655; Majority and Plurality Elec- tions, 657 ; Democratic Victory in 1887, 658; May Deal of 1886, 658; Republicans Return to Power, 659; Ballot Reform, 659; Elections in Grand Committee, 660; Failure of Elec- tion Machinery in 1893, 661 ; Assembly Prorogued, 662; Plurality Election by Constitutional Amendment, 663; Election Reforms, 664; Primary Reform, 665; Later Constitutional Amendments, 666; Constitutional Commission, 666; Entire Constitution Rejected, 668; Railway Strike of 1902, 669; Piecemeal Amendments, 671; Divorce of State and National Politics, 673; The Younger Democrats, 674; Railway Strike as an Issue, 674; The Cam- paign of 1903, 675; Three Years Later, 676; A Boy Governor, 677; The Property Qualifica- tion Again, 678; Republicans Return to Power in 1908, 679; Another Constitutional Com- mission, 680; Woman Suffrage, 682; The Woes that Beset a Good Governor, 683; Demo- cratic Landslide of 1922, 684; The Filibuster of 1924, 686; The Gas Bomb, 687; Republican Landslide of 1924, 688; Abolition of Property Qualification. 689.
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