[citation needed] Toupin was elected Lieutenant Governor on a ticket with fellow Democrat William S. Flynn.

Together with Robert E. Quinn, a state senator from West Warwick, the three young politicians wanted to push through a progressive agenda for Rhode Island.

[4] Finally, in 1924, Democrats introduced a bill calling for a constitutional convention, despite the fact that the state Supreme Court had ruled that the legislature lacked the power to do so.

[4] Toupin read from "Hamlet" and the Encyclopædia Britannica, in hopes that enough exhausted Republicans would leave the chamber, giving Democrats the majority they needed to pass the measure.

Democrat Robert Quinn jumped across his desk to "wring the judge's throat" to prevent roll from being called without Toupin present.

They hired Boston gangster William "Toots" Murray to set off a bromine gas bomb in the senate chamber.

[6] The plan backfired: several Republicans became violently ill but Toupin, who was being shaved at the time, had a towel over his face and was not affected by the attack; nor was Quinn.

[6] Quinn and Toupin, sensing an advantage, attempted to resume the session and call for a vote, but this time the entire Republican delegation fled the chamber (and the state) to Rutland, Massachusetts.

[5] Republicans, seeking to undercut Toupin's French Canadian American support, convinced Aram Pothier to leave retirement to run against him.

In March 1935, president of the Board of Aldermen James H. Holland called a surprise council session, without informing Mayor Toupin.

[citation needed] Toupin died on October 7, 1965,[2][3] and is buried in St. James Cemetery in Lincoln, Rhode Island.