“ The judicial power is vested in one Supreme Court and such inferior courts as the General Assembly may establish, the powers of the several courts being prescribed by law. Judges of the Supreme Court are elected by the General Assembly in grand committee, and their term of office continues until their positions are declared vacant by a resolution of the General Assembly.
Finances. The paper money system, which was prevalent throughout all the oolonies, kept Rhode Island's finances in a continual state of disorder. ”

“ Like all glaciated areas, the State is studded with numerous small lakes.
AREA AND POPULATION OF RHODE ISLAND BY COUNTIES.
Climate and Soil. The climate is mild and equable compared with that of the rest of New England. It is influenced chiefly by winds coming from the Gulf Stream. The cold winds striking the eastern coast of New England are almost unfelt here. The mean temperature for January is 36° and for July 76°. The average relative humidity ranges between 80 and 95 per cent. throughout the year. ”

“ Each town or city has one representative in the Senate, and one or more in the House of Representatives, but no town or city can have more than one-sixth of the 72 members to which the House is limited, and no town or city can be divided for purposes of representation. ”

“ Manufactures. Since 1870 over 22 per cent. of the total population have been engaged as wage-earners in this line of industry. The number in 1900 was 96,528, of whom 26,984 were women, and 5036 children under sixteen years of age. The total value of products increased 29.2 per cent. from 1890 to 1900, being in the latter year $184,074,378. The shallow depth of the water at the port of Providence has prevented the development of ocean traffic and thus has withheld from the State a great advantage. ”

“ Population. The population increased from 68,825 in 1790 to 147,545 in 1850, 345,506 in 1890, and 428,556 in 1900. As to population, the State stood 34th in rank in 1900. There were in that year 407 inhabitants to the square mile, which figure exceeded that for any other State. There was a foreign-born population (1900) of 134,519, Ireland, Canada, and England being chiefly represented. The percentage of city population is very large. In 1900 Providence had a population of 175,597 ”

“ Government. The State Constitution was adopted in 1842, replacing the original charter granted by King Charles II. An amendment proposed in the General Assembly must receive the votes of a majority of all the members elected to each House at two consecutively elected Assemblies, and then be approved by three-fifths of the electors present and voting in the town and ward meetings. ”

“ Hay and forage form by far the most important crop, amounting in 1899 to 69,776 acres; but this was a decrease from 94,111 in 1889. Potatoes are relatively important, representing, in 1899, 5817 acres. Sweet corn and other vegetables are grown for the local markets. Much attention is given to the growing of apples, peaches, and pears. ”