The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-06-16
NEWS OF OLNEYVILLE.
Stephen A. BudIong Presents a
7" Brace" to the Council.
THREE HOURS DOING NOTHING,
Ehs Town Council Meets After star
Chamber session-The New Members
Adspts I'm Doing Nothing = A Little
Routine business Accomplished.


ssWho owns the Johnston town coun-
Gil ." was the frequent query yesterday
AFTERNOON, prior to ths meeting of that
august body at the council chamber in
Odd, Fellows block. The answer came
back almost invariably ''Stephen A. Bud
long" Another meeting such as was
held on this occasion, will place the pres
ent incumbents on record as the slowest,
weakest kneed body that has for many
months sat within the sacred inclosure.
On every matter brought up for consider
alton there was doubt, half-made mo-
tion. split.
Before going into regular session. o
secret meeting was held In an adjoining
SCHOOL, oom to discuss matter which, to
all appearance es. had been cut and dried.
Three-quarters OF an hour were thus con-
sumed, and when they took their seats
they were as near a conclusion as when
they first closeted the mselves within the
walls Of that room where wisdom is sup
posed to dwell. At 2:30 the session was
called to order. What was predicted q
short time ago was strikingly verified. and
now the members are in doubt whether
they will be reelected next June or not.
There is deadlock in the Johnston
council q fear of constituents and few
ssIndependents. When a motion was
made only one or two voted upon IL, and
finally Ethan L. Sheldon was provoked
into moving that the President request
all the members to vote on all matters
brought up, as he was tired OF voting
alone.
A COMMITTEES of three, Harley Colwell,
Brown S. Wood and Charles 4. Tourte.
lotte, was named to appraise the stock OF
the poor farm, previous to its being placed
IN the hands Of the new overseer, George
White.
Charles A. Barnard, DIR. Pagan, Louis
G. Gottschalk, and William O'Brien were
elected as the board Of health for the en-
Charles g. Cranich was made inspector
Of buildings till January, when a new one
must be appointed, as the term OF the late
Samuel A Winn did not expire till then.
Appraisers of damages done by dogs /:
Edgar p. Holbrook, Job Belknap.
Corders and measurers of wood: Will
liam A. Phillips, George 4. A. Beane,
John w. Waters, William III. Hughes,
Charles III. Lawton, Frank Hanley, stan
ton J. Smith, Louis G. Hohler. Louis II.
M0Ver.
Barnes; Charles H. Brown, John A. Coffin.
Charles A. Phillips, Benjamin Lister.
James N. Smith, Thomas Pike, Oscar A..
DIR Lippitt was appointed town doc
tor, vice DIR. Lawton, for the reason that
he was young independent and promis-
ing physician, while the latter was a Re
publican and an old established doctor,
without any apparent need of the posi-
tion-
Auditors of the treasurer's accounts:
Samuel K. Grooves, Harrison Gray and
Joseph M Cough:
A1ctioneers; W. A; Phillips, Robert
Fence viewer: Israel Wilcox.
A motion was then made that the po-
lice officers be appointed sinRly. James
Moan was reappointed for day patrol
man and Nnwood +. Doane as night.
Leander #. Smith, the second name sub
jected by Mr.. Holbrook for night patrol
man, being rejected on a motion made by
Councilman Marks. George p. Bates was
also rejected.
A petition was submitted by Mr.. Bud
long, Jesse p. Fox and others of the Pro
hibitionist-Independe Democratic type
containing the name of fifty-eight Of the
citizens along Plainfield street, praying
the council TO re-appoint Lowell b. Sher-
man rs night officer, the man about
whom all the trouble has been raised.
This was received and referred to the
town-sergeant, and Councilman Marks
made motion that all future names be
rejected till they could arrive at some
thing definite. Mr.. Budlong then arose,
I'D II anyone was in doubt as to who
owned the council previously, that doubt
disappeared wnen he announced that the
petition was gotten uphurrieily, and was
only meant Tor "pracer." Budlong
stated that most of the names on the
petition were those Of real estate tax
payers. The matter of appointing Mr..
Sherman was then dropped, and one Of
the councilmen very aptly sighed Where
be we?"
A list of police constabes was then
handed In from the chief of police and
another by Stephen A. Budlong, one ap-
proved by the town sergeant and the
other not, both lists being confirmed by
the council In conflict with Solicitor
Woods version Of the ordinance, that the
above Ufficial has the recommending Of
ali the men under him. The ordinance
was framed for the purpose of maintain
ing harmony In the department and to
concentrate the power under one head
Mr.. Wood said that while he was sorry
that Mr. Holbrook could not be lenient
towards Mr.. Shuman, between which two
bad blood existed, he aid fully agree that
the superior officer should have men who
would work with him. Personally. he
stated, he knew Officer Shuman for sew
cral years, having been among the mum.
ber who secured his appointment,
and had always heard him spoken
of as a good officer. The ordi-
nance should not, he thought. be
abolished, as it was an expedient
measure to preserve unity in the force il
repealed and the council should appoint
men distasteful TO the town sergeant. he
would have no control over them at all in
consequences, which would DC q sad state
of affairs, tending to demoralize the
whole discipline Of the department.. Ac-
cordinR to the ordinance, he said, the
council could not appoint unless the pro-
visions were filed. Councilman Harris
asked IL IL did not conflict with the pub
lie statute which was read, and a second
one also. proving the councils athority To
frame such ordinances. Mr.. Budlong,
now supported by his attorney, began To
throw out legal ''chestnuts," and said
very pompously that as he understood the
law the sergeant must recommend either
for or against Mr.. Sherman's election.
Mr.. Budiong's attorney spoke. He said
that the council had power TO nominate
and they did, Messrs Waterman. Sheldon
and Marks making a feeble attempt al
ives" when the motion was put
7Tha lst confirmed bv the council nd