The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-13
Considers Sunday Opening at the
Worlds Fair
IT POSTPONES THE SUBJECT,
A Warm Discussion Leads the Members
TO Think This Action Most Advisable
The Great Salt Pond at Block Island
as Harbor OF Refuge.


1t was an adjourned meeting called for
the consideration of these subjects:
A resolution asking congress for an ap-
preparation to make the Great Salt Pond
In Block Island permanent harbor of
refuge; q resolution that the Worlds
| FAIR be open every day In the week, in
Guiding Sunday, during its continuance.
After some difficulty in obtaining u
| quorum President George called the
board to order
The resolution in regard 70 making the
Great Salt Pond harbor of refuge was
| first taken up. j. Lewis Peirce moved
the adoption of the following in place OF
| tue resolution presented at the last
meeting OF the Board
| To the Honorable senate and the House of Rep
resen,a,ive. OF the United States In congress as
WnsRsAs, The Of Great Sal, Pond in New shore,
and saI.ab.e Tor the safe anchorage OF ships and
that nsS the inter.
OF refuge at Block Island Il is therefore
quests the Unsed states gosernmsnt To- ssie suen
action as Is necessary 70 make this pond an arm OF
ma make @ harbos Of refuge sherein 70
he hs S .e IN s
aid in forwarding this matter
ward a copy Of these resolutions 10 the senators
| Island.
C. II. Merriman asked IL this proposed
new improvement would be any better
than to expend money in improving the
break water. He thought IL would be
easier to get congress TO appropriate
money for the latter purpose.
President George read petition. head
ed by Nicholas Ball aud containing some
$50 names, which showed what great
value IL would be to the shipping inter-
ests II such harbor AZ Is proposed was
had.
After some further discussion the sub
stitute resolutions were adopted.
During the discussion on the resolu-
tions a number OF members Of the board
came into the meeting and then for an
hour the resolution proposed at the last
meeting In regard to Sunday opening at
the Worlds fair was considered. The
resolution was as follows:
wSa r. The S S Ss Of m 70 S.
$500 600 souvenir Columbian haif dollars contains
Sunday, and whereas II said proviso is not repealed
hundreds OF thousands OF our fellow citizens will be
ffui display there and then to b made therefore
be IL
said prov.o should be stricken from said sct ana
S h % aa the
The secretary read the resolution and
read the petition which has been gen
orally circulated among those who are in
favor of Sunday opening. There were
thirty-nine signatures attached to the
one read by the secretary, among the
G. L. Littiefield, George H. Dart, Will
liam Is. Dart, Edmund 4. Moulton, vii.
liam Is. Waterman, j. Z. Taylor, Addi-
SON Fisher, b. Wall. T. ID. Dewine.
Charles II. Smith, II. A. Greene, Arnold
b. Chace. James Richardson, Jr., and
William II. Pope.
president George said: This ia a
Christian nation, and should have some
regard for the observance of Christian
Sabbath. IL we pass any resolution in
regard TO the Sunday opening of the
Worlds fair, restrictions should be |
added, such rs stopping tho machinery
George L. Littlefield spoke in favor of |
the resolution. He thought that it would |
be great benefit to the people to have the |
fair open on Sundays.
G. Fl. Merriman: followed, speaking at |
length, In favor Of Sunday opening. He |
was In favor OF action on the petition |
read and not on the resolution. He made |
a motion that 1t be substituted
Mr.. Littlefield objected He wanted |
the Board OF Trade, six hundred strong, |
to use its influence in behalf Of this move |
ment and let individual petitions be also |
used toward the desired end.
Mr.. Merriman thought that the last |
speaker did not understand him. He |
wanted to change the resolution to ft |
the petition aud moved that the part of |
the petition relating to the restricted |
Sunday opening be made an amendment |
to the resolution.
An objection of a different character
than Mr.. Iittlefeld's vas then made.
Edward Shaw, 3D., said: II may be In |
small minority but want to voice my |
sentiments. When the proviso was made / |
thought IL wise one and looked with
that this Board Of Trade will not commit |
itself by the pass 'ge Of these resolutions.
No great damage was done to /
the Centennial because It was
closed up on Sunday, hope
that the Worlds fair will not be open on
Sundays and that these present, repre-
senting about five per cent Of the Board q
membership will not pass the resolu-
tions."
Charles f. Carpenter and Joseph H.
Kendrick spoke against the passage of
the resolution.
Thomas j. Hill. who had been sitting
we'll up front aud listening attentively to
the discussion, arose ID, taking up
big bundle and his hat in pre-
paration for departing Said 81
nave got to catch a car and
so must leave. III those resolutions are
phoScut say. ds us6u |
TO say, God save the State of Rhode
Island and Providence Plantations"
Mr.. Hill was applauded as he made his
way through the room TO the door.
After further remarks 10 was moved
that the whole subject be in
definitely postponed The noes"
seemed to make as much noise
as the ayes" but President George
declared the vote 10 be carried in the
and the resolutions to be in
definitely postponed.
A communication asking the Board
TO contribute 10 testimonial to ID. w.
Reeves, leader OF Gilmore's Band, was
Indefinitely postponed.
The Board ten adjourned, aud with a
a Sign of relief Presinent George told that
the mevting was the warmest for years.