The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-09
IN THE LEGISLATURE.
A Senate Debate on the Reapportion-
ment Bill.
BRISTOL AND BURRILLvlLLE,
A Delay and New Census Asked For-Mr.
Perce's Anti-Fines Bill Presented in
the House-A site for a Camp Ground

Ladd presiding.
A message from the House OF Repre-
sentatiyes was received, announcing the
passage in concurrence of an act dividing
the town of Scituate into voting districts,
also the passage of several other acts; also
from the House an act authorizing the
city of Pawtucket to issue bonds, Re-
ferred to the committee on judiciary.
Senator Pond presented the petition of
the Christian Alliance Association for an
amendment to the liquor law, and max
ing il obligatory on the voters To vote
each year on the license question. Re
feffed TO the committee on special legisla-
ton.
The petition of the town council and
many voters of Little Compton against
the extension of the charter OF the Sea
comet railroad. Referred TO the commit
tee on corporations.
Senator Woods reported back the re-
apportionment bill from the committee
on judiciary, and recommended its passage
in concurrence. He urged the immediate
passage of the act, as the caucuses occur
so soon that the effect Of the act would be
destroyed for one year at least II the matter
is carried over. Senator Wilbour said
he desired TO have the act carried over to
the noxt session of the General Assembly
because the figures of the census for Bris-
tol are wrong, and that the town is about
to order new caucus which will correct
the figures given. He also said that the
district of Narragansett had claims on the
General Assembly to he set apart as a new
town. He moved that the act be carried
over to the next session.
Lieut.. Gov. Stearns said IL was not a
question of town feeling but Of what was
Just and right, and that the passage of the
act ought not TO be longer delayed.
De, tlAte q hat . foo oh n
wrong to East Providence and Lincoln,
why has it been left so long and why has
IL been brought in and railroaded through
at this particular time?
Senator Woods said that IL the figures
of IA new census should show more popula-
tion than has been given by the United
States census even then they could not
show enough population to offset the
claims of Lincoln and East Providence.
Senator Thompson hoped that the
act would pass. He was sorry
that Bristol would lose rep
resentative, but if a new census was
taken Lincoln might have claims for still
had undoubtedly increased since the last
census was taken.
Senator Garvin spoke in favor of the
passage of the act, saying that the Gen
eral Assembly has no option i'm the matter
as the census had been well taken in
Rhode Island.
Senator Anthony of East Providence
spoke in favor of the passage of the act.
Senator Chaplain said that he knew
there were personal interests on both
sides, but that the census, incorrect and
perhaps fraudulent. should not be the
basis Of reapportionment. He said East
Providence should be considered first.
Bristol and Burrillville should have more
time to prepare arguments against this
act.
Senator Andrew j. Anthony of East
Providence, who has been i'll almost since
the beginning of the session, was present
at the session of the Senate this morning.
Senator M. S. Smith said that even il
Bristol should take a new census and
show large increase in population, the
constitution provides that the United
States census must be taken as a basis OF
reapportionment.
Lieut. Gov. Stearns replied to Senator
Champlin, saying that if Providence
wanted more representation her represen-
tative was present to advance her claims.
Senator Wilbour said that all that was
desired was little delay and not in.
definite postponement. Senator Pond said
that he favored delay principally because
the district of Narragansett asked for
representation, as they had n right to
ask, and as there are no politics in the
matter he did not see why there should
be such haste. Bristol and East Provi.
dence are both Republican towns and
Burrillville and Lincoln are about equal.
| ly doubtful, so nothing is to be gained
| in any way by either party.
Senator Woods said he was much
pleased to see how much sympathy had
suddenly sprung up for the District OF
Narragansett.
Lieut.. Gov. Stearns said that when Mar,
ragansett was made district, each one OF
| the petitions distinctly stated that they
| did not want to be made town.
The question on postponement was ther
put and lost.
The act was then passed as recon-
mended.
Senator'S Beane and Garvin presented
petitions for the enactment of a 9-houI
law. Referred to the committee on
special legislation.
Lieut.. Gov. Stearns introduced an &C,
in amendment of an act governing the
State House and school. Referred to the
committee on judiciary
Senator Cranston introduced an amend
ment to the act covering the Soldiers
Home in Bristol 20 provide for a specia
case and asked that IL be put on its pas
| sage. Senator Cranston explained that
| soldier who had left the National Hon,
and draws a pension cannot return, and
this case is of n man who has been scl
and in need of assistance. The bill wa.
1
An invitation was received for the Gen.
| eral Assembly to review the parade on St
| Patrick's Day and on motion of Senator
Drown was accepted on the part of tn,
| Senate.
| Senator Read for the committee on ju
| dietary, reported back the act in amend
ment of an act dividing the town OF Bur
| rillvile into voting districts. Passed.
Senator Bull reported back from th'
committee on corporations, the act to In
corporate the Wesson Postoffice StamJ
! Co, with n resolution of continuance til
| the next session. Continued.
On motion of Senator Kenyon the Sen
ate adjourned.
The House OF Representatives.
| The Senate bill incorporating the Edge
| wood Congregational Society Of Cranstor
| was concurred in and referred to the com
| mittee on engrossed bills.
An act was passed authorizing the cit,
| council of Pawtucket TO issue bonds q
| the extent of 100000 for the funding o
| outstanding obligations; also s40O, 900 To-
sewer construction: also authorizing th'
city council OF Pawtucket to provide fire,
1 l..da h. Dh1H, Tsla al a..