The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-11-23
What Mr. Smith Has Done the City Government and the General
Assembly as Councilman and Senator.
HE HAS HAD A LONG EXPERIENCE IN CITY AFFAIRS.
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IL one were called upon to characterize
the record of Mayor Charles Sydney
Smith, which has extended over period
OF twenty-three years, he would say IL has
been the record of a successful man OF
business, the record Of a man OF deeds
rather than words.
Mr.. Smith began his public services in
the Common Council in 1868, and he
served in 1871, 1872 and 1878 from the
Sixth Ward, and in 1888 from the Seventh
Ward. His career in the General Assem-
bly, began in 1877. and was continued In
the lower branch during 1878, 1879 and
1881, and in 1888 be was elected State
Senator from Providence.
Dates, however, are but a small part OF
the story of any mans career. Mr.. smith
became an active working member OF the
House during his first year. He was Sc
lected as member of the committee on
corporations which, together with the Ju-
dietary committee, is confessedly the most
confining committee In the General AS
sembly. The work is largely routine work,
exacting, and in many cases, technical.
always requiring not only care, but at
times extended study. Nevertheless. Mr..
Smith did not shrink from the work. He
was as incessant in his zeal then as now,
and won not only the respect OF all his
fellow members but also made reputa-
tion as leader and an aggressive fighter.
The work during those days, however,
was not Oh lbs present. CndTdctcT, tHt ptn-
eral Assembly was strongly Republican in
both branches, and bills were scrutinized
not for their political effect, but for their
value to the peoples interest.
IL was not until in 1888, when Mr..
Smith was sent 10 the State senate, how
ever, that his overs as an organizer and
leader were made especially prominent.
That was the time when the State was
agitated over the question of the resub
mission of the prohibitory constitutional
amendment The bill for resubmission
had passed the lower branch and had come
10 the Senate judiciary committee. of
which Mr. Smith was chairman. Senator
Smith realized that the citizens of the
State were in favor OF resubmission and
that Prohibition had proved itself a fail
ure, but the Senate was about even upon
the question. For days the battle went
on. each side working to get the upper
hand. At last vote was had and the bill
was passed by two majority. That Sena-
tor Smith was right is shown by the large
majority which the amendment received
when put to a vote before the people
In Common Council Mr.. Smith was
member of the committee on highways
claims and railroads. From the outset he
took great interest in the question of
terminal facilities, and at all times he
has insisted that the earliest possible com
pletion of some kind of improved facili-
tiles was one of the absolute necessities of
the city's growth. But at all times he
also insisted that no grants should be
made TO the railroad companies until they
had given positive assurance that n rail
road station would be built. That sta
tion is now begun and two years more
ought to see some practical results Of the
building
1t seems scarcely necessary TO recall the
record of the mayor during the past year.
Being business man himself he has
always looked straight at the business re-
suits to be obtained by any measure pro-
posed. Every bill signed by him has been
carefully read and its special provisions
examined. Within the year he has taken
special interest i'm all those improvements
which are awakening the people to the
fact that Providence is city with splen-
did possibilities, and that public expendi-
lures which are necessary, should be made
as quickly as possible, because every day
that necessary work is deferred entails
additional expense upon the city when it
is done. 1t is impossible to give in detail
all the numerous improvements which he
has favored but to put il briefly there
have been more lineal feet of curbing laid
and more new streets graded in the city
under Mayor Smiths administration than
any other year. More sewers and water
pipes have been laid than by any other
mayor The school houses are being
pushed rapidly to completion. The ex-
tension of the parks has met with Mayor
Smiths approval and he is using every
effort to have the extension made rapidly.
Mayor Smith is progressive, business like,
energetic and conscientious. More than
that need not be said.