The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-01-19

departments, and correspondence was had
with members of the Legislature and
chairman of committees with a view TO
the requirements for the work OF the
General Assembly. Seven architects were
invited in competition, including three
frsfn Rhode Island, all representing the
highest professional talent In the country.
Messrs. Alfred Stone, William X. Walker
and Howard Hoppin of Providence were
the committee selected to prepare the
conditions, printed copy OF which In all
it's details was presented to the last
General Assembly that the Assembly and
the people might be fully informed as to
what the commission were doing, and Tor
criticism and suggestion.
Flfty years ago the necessity was ielt
for better accommodations and a safe de-
pository for the valuable archives and
other property which the State had
accumulated, and plans were made at that
time for new State House, to cost half
million of dollars. Recommendations ana
legislation looking to this same end have
been frequent since then, especially with,
in the past twenty years, and have had
the Endorsement OF State officials and
prominent citizens who have realized that
IL was not to our credit that Rhode Island
did not provide for even one of its ad-
ministrative departments under its own
roof The present commission, in deter
mining the cost for n building for which
they should invite competition, took the
lowest figure that I'm the opinion of the
consulting architects would cover the
erection of structure adequate to the
demands Of the State; and an important
factor of the conditions is TO the effect
that each architect competing shall give
assurance to the State in the form Of
bona fide proposition from responsible
contractor that the building may be built
within the limit of cost fixed by the com
mission.
The competition is closed and the plans
are now being considered by the Commits
sion.
In this connection wish to call yonr
immediate attention to the necessity OF
quarters for the Railroad Commissioner
and the State Sealer of Weights and
Measures. These officers are provided
with desk room in the Insurance Com
missioner's Office, but tie important work
of the Railroad Commissioner may well
demand centrally located and properly
appointed Office, and the State Sealer has
under his care thousands of dollars worth
OF valuable instruments which the law
provides shall be kept in fire proof room,
but which actually are crowded into small
and absolutely unprotected quarters.
Stone Bridge.
The last General Assembly had its at
tention called to a movement to secure
wider passage through the bridges that
span the Sakonnet river. Citizens OF the
towns which make use Of the bridges, as
well as yachtsmen and others, petitioned
the United States Government TO this ef-
feet, setting forth that the bridges were
an obstruction to navigation and a danger
TO life and commercial property. AS the
State is the owner of one OF the bridges,
Stone Bridge, the last General Assembly
appointed special committee to attend
the hearings, giving it, however, no in
structions as to the position the State
would take in the matter. In September
- HhA LAa tsy kaxsr
been in the meantime forwarded to the
I War Department At Washington, the
matter came up again in form that re-
quired immediate attention OH the part OF
the State, the government making pro-
position to require that Stone Bridge "be
provided before the first day of January,
1898. with draw having an opening of
one hundred feet in width in the clear"
After consultation with members OF the
commission, i requested the Attorney
General to be present at the hearings
which were held on the proposition, with
instructions to the effect that the State Of
Rhode Island cannot admit the authority
to make such requirement as that pro-
posed
Stone Bridge is the property of the
State, and is maintained and kept in re-
pair by the five towns of Newport, Mid
dletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton and Lit
tie Compton. The Old Colony Railroad
owns the railroad bridge, which Svas built
under the authority of the State with
span Of thirty-three feet. In view of all
the circumstances in the case, / recon-
mend that a commission be appointed to
inquire as to the obstruction, confer with
parties in interest and report what fur
ther action in their opinion the State
should take in the matter.
Harbor Commissioners.
During the year change has been
mazda in the barbOr line al liOlninO the
lands of the Pawtucket Gas Company and
the Conant Thread Company In the Paw
tucket river, and lines have been de-
signed, in response to petition, to ex-
tend from Bass Rock to the Red bridge
along the easterly shore of the Pawtucket
river, which will be presented for APP
proval. A petition by the Old Colony
Railroad Company for a change in the
harbor line along their lands on India
street in the city of Providence is under
consideration.
Under contract approved by the at
torney general, the city of Providence is
bound to do certain dredging as required
by the commissioners in compensation
for encroachments made upon the public
waters by failure OF plan proposed by
the city to retain certain hliing near
Bird and Gano streets. In this connection
il is suggested that some action be taken
towards the removal of the stone work and
earth work left beyond the harbor line
when the old Washington bridge was re-
moved aud which makes an encroachment
upon the narrow channel at that point
AS waterway Of Importance and as yet
undeveloped possibilities of greater COM
mercial value to the State, and especially
to the cities of Providence, Pawtucket
and town Of East Providence, the Seekonk
river should at least be protected from
obstructions to the further narrowing of
its available channel.
The question of the occupation of the
water front along the westerly side of
Providence harbor from Hills Warf to
Sassafras Point has received some atten-
tion and 1T is probable that Legislative
action may be required TO further this
very desirable improvement.
The commissioners renew their frequent
recommendation that further legislation
be had To regulate the time for opening
draw-bridges and to prevent the blocking
of approaches thereto, and also to provide
for the provision OF whaves and other
structures frequented by the public, in
the interest of safety to life and limb.
Inland Fisheries.
Through the commission of inland fish
cries the State received, in Nav, from the