The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-24
AN ACT is INTRODUCED
To Make the BeIated Democratic
Nominations Good.
ELLERY H. WILSON'S REMARKS
The Republicans Seem to BE willing To
Rescue the Careless Ones and Give
Lincoln Voters n Chance to Choose
To-day In the senate.

Mr.. Wilson of East Providence offered
the following bill for an act, the reading
OF which was listened to with intense in
terest
An act 20 validate the imperfect certificate OF the
the Secretary of State on the 22d of March, 1902.
10 Is enacted bV the General Assembly as Jotoi0s.
Rs IN the Swn Of q
coin on the 2lst day OF March, 1892 are hereby au-
sd by them With the Secretary OF state on the I'd
day OF March, 1892 40 that Il snail conform 70 the
on or before O'clock n the Afternoon Of the
- day Of March. 1892, and when 80 corrected and
ne same force and effect as 4 had been correctly
SIC. :. THIS his aet sha take ps efest upon its pas
sage.
Mr.. Wilson then spoke as follows:
Mr.. Speaker-On several occasions dur
ing the sessions of the present General
Assembly IL has been called upon TO enact
laws 20 provide that in the town of Lin
coin. a free and fair ballot might be had
and counted, and that the officers thereby
elected might possess and exercise
the offices 10 which they were chosen.
Because of this, the Republicans in this
body have been attacked i'm the newspa-
pers of the other party for unwarrantable
Interference In the affairs of that town and
our action has even been condemned by the
bear garden, styled by our political oppo-
nents a State convention, which ex-
hibited itself in Music Hall for several
weeks ago. There has now arisen an
other cause for interference in the con-
Germs of this somewhat famous town. BY
the neglect and incompetency of the Off
GERS TO whom was delegated the response
bic duty of furnishing TO the secretary of
state, the Democratic nominations for
that political faith in Lincoln
have been practically disfranchised
unless some action is taken by the Gen
eral Assembly. Notwithstanding the un-
warrantable attacks which have been
made upon us for our previous action in
the interest of fairness and good govern
ment; Notwithstanding the partizan and
highhanded attempts of the Democrats of
Lincoln TO possess themselves Of the
government of that town, upon
which efforts the Supreme Court of this
State has set the seal of its condemnation,
and which would justify the Republicans
If anything would, In making use of every
partisan advantage in their power, L as a
Republican offer this bill in order
that the Democrats of that town
may have an opportunity to vote
for the candidates of their choice. /
offer it in the interests of fair play, and /
think that / voice the sentiment of every
one of my political associates in this
body for so doing. / ask that it
be referred to the committee on
the judiciary for the reason that
statements have been made which / be-
lieve to be well founded, that the certif-
cate delivered TO the Secretary of State
dates nominated by the Lincoln conven-
tion, although the attached affi-
davit so states. / also desire TO do
justice 10 both parties in this matter, and
TO see that the rights of all the candidates
are properly guarded. lhave had no time
et, nirrr tff yixy..t h,
ter anything but a hurried consideration.
The bill was read. passed TO second
reading and referred TO the committee on
the judiciary.
Several old bills and resolutions from
the file of the judiciary committee were
indefinitely postponed.
Bills TO incorporate the Rhode Island
Life and Accident Insurance Company
and the New England Mutual Insurance
Company were referred to the committee
on corporations.
Considerable time was consumed in the
consideration of the Senate resolution to
provide for the distribution of the new at
las of the state to members of the pres
ent and the last General Assembly. An
amendment was offered SO as TO exclude
last assembly. This amendment pre-
vailed. Then motion was made to refer
the sesolution back TO the committee on
finance, but this was lost.
amend so as To read that the new map be
furnished TO members of this Legislature
not already provided with the same. The
resolution was so amended.
The whole resolution was read, when IL
was found that 1t was so badly snarled up
that motion was made that it be recon-
mended to the committee on finance to be
strengthened out. IL was so voted.
An act was reported back by the judici-
ary COMMITTEES restoring Edward "A.
Gavitt to his civil rights. Gavitt was con-
victed of bribery at an election in the
town of South Kingstown.
Mr.. Hetfernan made a political stump
speech in opposition TO the bill, and said
that the Republican party were gathering
large sums TO corrupt the State. One
briber having been convicted ne should
not be permitted to be at large.
Mr.. Lowe Of Providence said that he
was glad to hear from the gentleman from
Woonsocket that the election of April 9th
was TO be so fierce that he wanted To shut
out this one vote. The truth of the matter
was that nine years ago, when Gavitt was
drunk, he committed the ofiense, was
convicted and served his sentence. He
was now thoroughly temperate man and
his petition was signed by Democrats as
we'll as Republicans of South Kingstown,
Of which town Gavitt was now "A law
abiding and respected inhabitant. Eight
years or so ago the same act was passed in
the House, but there was by accident no
concurrent vote.
The resolution was passed.
Mr., Wilson from the committee on the
judiciary reported back the act amending
the charter of the city of Pawtucket, by
which the mayor is relieved of any control
over the Board of Aldermen and the joint
conventions, and deprived of bis right 10
veto. with recommendation Of its pas
sage.
Mr. Heffernan Of woonsocket made an.
other long political speech in opposition 10
the passage Of the act.
Mr Lowe Of Providence suggested that,
inasmuch as the city council of Paw
tucket had asked for the passage of the
bill, IL was the duty OF the legislature TO
make the bill law.