The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-10-16

All the aldermen were present at tn
meeting yesterday afternoon. Several i'm
portant matters came before the board
Alderman Dyer called up the resolution
presented by him some time ago and lai,
on the table at his request, providing al
amendment TO section of chapter of th
ordinances to the effect that no city officia
shall have any personal interest in an!
| contract for furnishing supplies to tn,
city, except by a special vote of the Coun
ell. Alderman Dyer stated that he had
obtained Information from nine cities
which prohibited any city official from
having an interest in contracts. He die
not offer the resolution in spirit of criti
clsm. lie remembered that two city Off
cials had received such special votes. The
report was received and the resolution was
referred To the committee on ordinances.
Aldermen Dyer also offered resolu-
tion, which was adopted, directing the
commissioner of public works To report
whether another reduction in the water
rates from 2 to Ia cents might not be
made.
He also offered a resolution providing
that committee be appointed TO examine
into and report TO the city council the ad-
visibility OF obtaining from the general
assembly amendments or additions to
TO enable the city of Providence
To create board of equalizsl-
tion, whose duty il shall be to
adjust, correct and equaliZe the valuation
OF real estate and personal property made
by the assessors, to hear and determine
all appeals, TO adjust and correct assess
ment books, TO determine as far as possi-
BILE whether the property has been assessed
in just proportion TO the assessed value of
other property in the city similarly situ-
ated, and with power to increase or TO
diminish the assessment on any property,
real or mixed. Ii was adopted and Alder
man Dyer and Slocum were appointed.
Alderman Dyer offered still another re-
solution providing that the city solicitor
be directed to report amendments TO the
ordinances requiring the assessors to have
the lists of real and personal estates
assessed by them open for public inspec-
tion at least six weeks before the time for
collecting the city tax. and to give public
notice whenever such lists are completed.
The city clerk reported that Alfred NJ.
Anthony and Cornelius 5. Sweetland had
accepted the proposition of the city for
filling lots on Adelaide avenue.
Alderman Fuller at 4:40 asked to he ex
cused from further service on the COM
mittee on city property. The Mayor de-
clined to excuse him and Alderman Nc
Guinness moved joint resolution for
committee TO investigate the business of
the committee. IL was adopted and the
Mayor appointed Aldermen McGuinness,
Harris and Dyer. Mr.. Harris asked TO be
excused and Alderman Douglas was APP
pointed. He declined and Alderman
Harris was re-appointed.
The New York, Providence and Boston
Railroad Company asked for permission
TO lay rails in Aliens avenue from the
south side of Henderson street to the
north side of Crary, for the purpose of es-
tablishing freight station on Butts
street and a suburban passenger station
at the corner of Butts and Eddy streets.
IL was referred to the committee on rail-
road terminal facilities.
Aldermen West, Deming and Burrows
were appointed committee, on motion of
the former, to confer with the managers
of the Rhode Island Hospital in regard TO
the care of persons arrested for drunken
ness who were suffering from delirium
tremens. 1t is proposed to take them to
the hospital instead of the police station.
The number of cases has increased from
four in 1886 to twenty-four in 1891.
The committee on railroads reported
against allowing the New York, Provi-
dence and Boston Railroad Company to
put spur track in Clifford street.