The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-07-07
MAYOR HONEYS LETTER
In Which He Transmits Resolutions
to the Governor.
SHALL TARGET PRACTICE STOP 2
A Question Raised by Nswport's Mayor
as to Federal Authority to shoot In
Times Of Peace Outside the Fort-Gov.
Brown Sends II to Elkins.

Mayor Honey OF Newport has sent to
Gov. Brown the following communication
accompanying the petition presented to
the board of aldermen and adopted by
them. and the governor has sent the papers
to Secretary of War Elkins without com
ment as they explain themselves;
Executive Department, City off
Newport RI, Mayors ONCE,
July6, 1892.
~. Ersse'Ieney D. Russell Brow" Governor @ Rhode
SIR: beg to transmit herewith ceru-
fed copy of resolution passed unsn-
imously by the city council OF Newport
last evening and also a copy OF petition
mentioned In the same and In compliance
with the terms OF the resolution, respect
fully request that you will cause both the
resolution and petition TO be forwarded
TO the Honorable the Secretary OF War
with such communication rs you may
see fit 10 " AXE in the premises.
II Is perhaps not improper for me to say
that IL would seem that II Is certainiy an
open question whether or not the Federal
government has the right, in times OF
peace, to fire shot of any kind outside Of
It's own forts and arsenals there is GER
tainly nothing that can find in the grant
OF the State TO the Royernment 81 the
tract Of land, which Is the site of Fort
the State of RHODE ISLAND ever intended
10 rede to the government any such
rights al ara exercised by the troops
at Fort Adams, and ! am not aware
of any constitutional or State au-
thority for such practice as prevails
In this regard. But without entering into
any elaborats discussion OF the rights OF
the Federal and State governments on
this position, IL cannot be assumed that
the military authorities of the United
States have any desire TO place in jeop-
ardy the lives and property OF the people
OF this State or to interfere with the busi-
ness OF its citizens, either directly by
such practices as are mentioned I'm the
petition, or indirectly by creating appre-
tensions OF danger In their minds or in
the minds of people with whom they de-
sire to transact business.
1t is proper for me to say that the per
sons whose names appear upon the peti-
tion are all Of them of respectable stand
ing in the city and are either yacht or sail
boat owners, or in some way connected
with sailing. / believe the statements
made in the petition to be substantially
correct. Undoubtedly manv more sigma
lures would have been obtained to the
petition, had it been deemed necessary,
but the unanimous passage OF the resolu-
tion by the city council (members Of both
political parties joining in the same)
ought to be sufficient, evidence Of the SEN
subject matter. / am, sir,
Very truly yours,
SAMUEL X. HONEY.
The petition states that last season
many complaints were made by boatmen
while the firing from heavy guns was go
ing ON, and that it is the general opinion
of the people who cross the ferry on the
Conanicut, as well a, those who have oc-
casion TO sail about the bay, that there Is
not sufficient care taken by the men en-
gagged in the heavy gun practice at Fort
Adams, and IL is asserted that Maria
gansett Bay, with islands and inlets, is
not proper place for such work. 1t is
also noted that the rifle ranges at Fort
Adams are in line with the south entrance
of the harbor and no boat can pass at GER
tain hours without running some risk Of
being hit This Is also asserted TO be true
of the range of the training school on
Coasters Harbor Island. The signers are:
G. Ii. CasMell master of the yacht Saxon
net, f. +. Mcclellan. Eleazer Kelly, Eu-
gene w. Loring, William w. Champion,
ID. J. Sheehan, g. H. Crowell, George
| Coley, Uriah l.. Rife, Harry MARYLAND,
Benz G. Briggs, John Shea, j. ID. Hidler,
Lewis B. Caswell, Jr., George j. King,
John johnson, f. n. Lawton, Nathan
Wood, Charles III. Albro George ;. Bowen,
Henry Gladding. Samuel A. Young,
Thomas Shea, Frederick Sheldon, Edward
NJ. Neil, +. p. Sands, Fairman Rogers.