The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-04-28
IN THE LEGISLATURE.
There Were Great Times In the
Lower House To-Day.
TALKING ABOUT wooNSoCKET,
MIR. Brown and IIr. Hefernsn Protest
with Hand ON Heart and Mr.. Darling
Fights for Confederation OF His Exoiss
BILL.

The House met at II A. NJ, Speaker
Capron in the chair.
A bill to incorporate the Granger Land
corporations; also a bill to amend the
charter of the Standard Machine Co.
A bill for an act to take the appoint
ment of license commissioners in the city
of Woonsocket, from the mayor and CIV
ing 1t to the city committee in joint con-
vention, was offered by Mr.. Darling, of
Pawtucket, who asked to do this without
giving previous notice.
Mr.. Brown, OF Woonsocket, objected.
Mr. Darling moved that the rules be
suspended and that the act be read passed
to a second reading and referred to the
judiciary.
Mr. Brown asked that the bill be read.
and when this was done he said that the
act was introduced without the knowledge
or consent Of any member OF the Legisla-
ture from Woonsocket. He wanted to
know where the bill came from and why
Mr.; Darling promised to speak in behalf
Mr.. Darling said that it was handed to
him to present. and that he mad told the
gentleman who gave 1t to him that he
should say that he introduced it by re-
quest. But there was with the bill a
TcSOiuLlOu DdSScu Dy buo tWO UTduCuCo VI
the city council, calling upon the city
solicitor to ask for this legislation.
The resolution referred to was read. and
then Mr.. Brown said that the resolution
came here with no legal right or force. IL
was an illegal. impudent proceeding, and
deserved to be treated with contempt by
this House, for it was in violation of the
charter Of the city of Woonsocket. The
resolution had not been signed by the
Mayor, neither had Ii been sent back by
him without his approval. The city
charter specifically set forth that he
should do one or the other within GER
tain number OF days. and that time had
eral days yet to spare.
Mr.. Lowe of Providence wished to know
when the Board OF Aldermen would meet
again.
Mr.. Heffernan said that the board must
meet this month to complete the jury
sought for was pushed by n certain set OF
men who were seeking to add to their
political emoluments by capturing these
three Offices. They had illegally sought
the aid Of the city clerk OF Woonsocket,
aud now they are looking to the legisla-
reference to the rules Of the House.
1t was a pernicious interference with
the affairs of city and was q vile piece
of special legislation. Very properly
Mayor Pond had taken the matter under
consideration. He might veto the reso-
luton and thus give the CITY council time
acted too hastily: but three irresponsible
men had jumped over the mayor. had dis
regarded the provision of the city charter
and had, without any authority. brought
the resolution and the bill to the bar OF
this House.
Mr.. Darling said that had he any idea
that such debate of the bill as this could
be precipitated upon the House, even be-
fore the bill was introduced, he would
not have asked that the rules be sus-
pended. He now, however, insisted on
his motion.
Mr.. Butman Of Lincoln called for the
This apparently shut off all debate, and
prevented suspension of the bill. But
Mr. Baker of Providence moved that to-
days special order be continued, and
made the special order for next Tuesday,
as there were several minor matters yet to
be added to the bill.
Mr.. Wilson, Of East Providence, sec
onded the motion.
The question was put and Mr. Brown,
of Woonsocket, asked what was the spec
ial order. Being informed that it was the
Ballot Reform Act bill, he entered into
long discussion of that very subject, urg-
ing that inasmuch as the time of the ses-
sion was brief, the bill ought to be taken
up, discussed and passed, to-day. The
gentleman's speech partook largely of
politics. He charged that the present del
egation from Providence was wrongfully
counted in by Republican board of al
dermen. While at the last legislative
election the same board made counts
which were detrimental to the Democratic
candidates. lie further charged that Mr..
Wilson, the fourth representative, was
counted in.
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