The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-01-22
LIGHT GRIST IN The MILL.
The Legislature Has an Easy Task
To-day.
THE CLOSING BILL DISCUSSED.
Many Of the Members Seem Afraid to Talk
About It-Johnston Wants tn Borrow
Money-To Investigate the secret Bal

There was an unusually light grist in
the legislative mill this morning. At first
10 seemed as though there would not be a
quorum. but at the usual honr the wheels
were set in motion.
Prior to the opening of business the
legislators got together in the lobbies and
the library and discussed the early-clos-
ing of-the polls measure. Few cared to
express an opinion either way, taking
refuge behind the assertion that "this is
what / have heard, etc" None OF the old
time lobbyists showed up during the brief
morning session.
In the Senate.
Lieut.. Gov. Stearns called the Senate to
order this morning in the absence of Gov.
Ladd.
Senator Read introduced a resolution
appropriating $50 for the purchase of
metallic markers for the graves OF soldiers
and sailors. Referred to the committee
on finance.
Senator Garvin presented the petition
of 30 citizens of Cumberland for permis-
sion TO try the experiment of single tax in
the town of Cumberland. Accompanying
the petition was the following act
II Is enacted by the General Assembly
as follows:
SECTION l. The electors Of the town of
Cumberland who are qualified TO vote in
the election of town officers shall at each
election OF town officers cast their ballots
for and against the question: Shall this
town exempt from taxation personal prop
erty and improvements 2" Provided that
subsequent to the year 1892 no vote shall
be taken on this question in said town,
unless a number of the qualified electors
equal to Is per cent. of the vote cast for
nt N oil
ing, shall petition the town clerk therefor
at least twenty days prior to said election.
SEC. 2. Whenever said question is sub
mitted to the people in said town, said
question shall be printed upon the official
ballot after the list of candidates and shall
be so printed as to give TO each voter a
clear opportunity to designate by a cross
mark in sufficient margin his answer TO
said question, and in order to aid the
voter TO do this, on the ballot shall be
printed the words "Yes" and no" and
the town clerk shall insert proposition
rant calling the district meeting.
SEC. 3. IL majority of the votes so
cast at any such election be in favor of
the exemption from taxation of such
property. then the assessors of taxes of
said town sball make a list placing land,
improvements and personal estate in
three separste columns, and shall
improvements, but all such property shall
thereafter be exempt from taxation: pro-
vlded. that personal property or improve
ments or both, TO an amount equaling in
value sl34 when owned by any person
who, ii requested would be qualified to
vote, shall be subject to taxation at
rate not exceeding sl50 on each
800 OF such property; and provided
farther that said town may assess its rat
able property, the land, in excess of per
centum of its ratable value, but in no case
shall the tax upon any land exceed it's
ground rental values exclusive of all inn
provements whatsoever.
Sec. 4. Provided that when said town
shall have voted TO make change from
its existing incidence of taxation, as pro-
vided in this act, said question shall not
again be submitted to the vote of the peo-
pie In said town for period of ten years
from the time such change was voted.
Sec 5. This act shall take effect imme-
diately.
The act and petition were referred to the
on judiciary.
On motion of Mr.. Gardner the Senate
adjourned to Monday, Jan. %. at IL
o'clock.
In the House.
Mr. Peckham of Newport, from the
on the judiciary, reported back
the bill amending Chapter 2S4 of the Pub
lie Statutes, recommending it's passage.
The act reforms the harbor line at New
port. Read and passed.
Mr.. Smith of Johnston, under suspension
of the rules, offered a bill amending
chapter 1919 of the Public Statutes so as TO
allow the town of Johnston to hire $3.50
900 and to issue bonds therefor. Referred
to the committee on the judiciary.
Mr.. Kendrick of Providence reported
back from the committee on corporations
an amendment to the charter of the Citi-
zens Savings Bank of Providence, so as to
permit that corporation to receive deposits
not in excess of SS.000,000. Read and
passed.
Mr. Love of Providence presented res
olution instructing the committee on spe-
cial legislation to examine chapter 73l of
the Public Statutes, to suggest what
and amendments they would
and prepare the same in the
form of n report upon which they should
give public hearings. Read and passed.
The scope of the resolution is to make a
full inquiry into the present secret ballot
law and the laws governing the elections.
Mr.. Gates of Providence presented the
petition of Frank Carney and others for
the passage of an act Incorporating the
Pekin Literary Association. Referred TO
the committee on education.
On motion of Mr.. Allen OF East Green
gich the House was adjourned until III
o'clock Monday morning.
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