The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-12-08
POINTS ON PAWTUCKET.
Still Discussing the Legality Of the
Election.
A COUNT BY THE ALDERMEN.
Mayor Goodwin Recommended the Board
TO Ask the Governor to Obtain the
Supreme Courts Opinion-Mayor-elect
Carroll Has Received His Certificate.

The Rev. Benjamin Eastwood of the
Church of the Good Shepherd, who was
stricken with paralysis Sunday is said to
be slightly improved.
Will this city again be in the hands Of
mob this EVENING"
The Womens Auxiliary of the Y. M. c.
A. meet this afternoon. A report OF the
committee on the recent sale and recep-
tion was given. A large number were
present.
Tonight the orazy Democrats, as they
have been named since the disgracefui ac-
tion of Saturday night, will have their
closing celebration of the recent election,
and claim Hugh j. Carroll as the man en-
titled to preside over this city in the exc
cutive chair. A parade is in order, and
the other half may be guessed at. But
should the Supreme Court enjoin Mr.. Car
roll from seating himself in that chair,
all of this noise and red fire would be
wasted. Many good Democrats express
themselves as being disgusted and claim
that it does more harm than good to the
party
The Board Of Aldermen met at 5 o'clock
yesterday afternoon to count the votes
cast at Saturdays election Alderman
Tiepke was absent. Mayor-elect Carroll
requested the Board to pass resolution
amending the city charter TO give plural
ity elections TO city officers to be presented
TO the General Assembly.
There was long discussion when His
lowing message:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
PAwTUcKET, Dec. Z, 1891.
Gentlemen Of the Board of Aldermen: The
charter of this city. provides that the Board OF
the closing of the polls, open and count all the
ballots cast at any election held under It's pro-
visions. The Board OF Aldermen on Thursday
evening, Dec 3, after counting the ballots cast
at the election held Dec. 2 and finding there
had been no choice for Mayor, called another
election upon the following Saturday, Dec. 5.
IL was the opinion of the City Solicitor, and
given TO the Board at the time when the cleo
ton was called, that the election would be an
illegal one. This opinion was based upon the
provisions of the city charter which requires
that the City Clerk shall give notice stating
the time and place of an election and the OFF,
GERS to be choseni az Least seven days ie before
agree with the Solicitor, and the election Or
dered by the Board has taken place.
Knowing the opinion of the City Solicitor,
and knowing too, that steps were being taken
10 prevent II possible the election, deemed
IL my duty to consult with the best legal talent
feeling. / consulted with James NJ. Ripley,
ESQ. and Nicholas Van Slyck, Esq, the one a
Republican, the other a Democrat. They
were firm in their convictions that the cleo
tion was illegal, and consequently null and
void.
In view Of this information, must confess
hardly know what course 10 pursue. The
Board of Aldermen had failed 10 fix upon a
time to meet and count the votes, and the
charter provides that such duties must be per-
formed within forty-eight hours after the
closing Of the polls. Many thought | should
BE- justified, inasmuch as the election was ille-
gal, in refusing TO call the Board together. IL,
however, appeared 10 me 10 be my duty 10
convene you, no matter what might be my
opinion as TO the legality of the election. /
did not feel that should take advantage of
any oversight upon the part of the Board. /
have therefore convened you, gentlemen, as /
believe, according to law and right.
As to u q legality of the election which took
place on saturday last, you have the opinion
tleman to whom have called your attention.
1t is now for you TO determine what action
To take. 1t may be my duty To offer a sugges-
ton. Would IL not be wisdom on your part in
view Of the legal question which is and will be
raised, TO proceed tn take account of the bal
lots cast and for whom they were cast and
then, before declaring the results, ask the
Governor of the State To obtain the opinion of
the Supreme Court as To the legality of the
election. II the election proves TO be legal
ono, the party who received ma ajority of the
votes cast on Saturday last, can enter upon
the duties in January next with all dis
putes settled.
ALMoN X. GOODWIN, Mayor.
Then came more discussion and the vote
was counted. 1t did not vary greatly from
the one previously printed. Mayor-elect
Carroll has received his certificate from
City Clerk Sibley and is preparing his in
augural address.