The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-07-15
TALKED OF At CITY HALL.
Mr.. Clark'S View Of The Dexter Train
Ing Field Question
SUPPORTED BY MANY OTHERS,
Chief Child tn Ask Board OF Aldermen
10 Appoint Committee to Inquire
Into AN Important Matter-Passenger
station tn Remain the same.


Station to Remain the same.
City Solicitor Colwell has not yet given
the NJ ecial committee having charge OF
the matter his opinion on the questions
raised through the proposal OF Mr..
Henry Z. Clark to donate
bronze statue OF Ebenezer knight Dexter
to be placed on the training field
As soon as he does SO the committse will
be cll ed toxether and will make such
recommendations AS 1t deems proper III
the premises.
Mr.. Clark, i'm conversation today, said
he did not believe the Dexter heirs had any
interest that could or ought To be pur-
chased by the city. Mr.. Dexter gave
tire training neld to the people OF Provi-
dence for certain purposes. IL the city
failed TO comply with the terms or the
bequest the people could apply to the
supreme court to compel their observance.
'Suppoe," he said some philanthropic
citiz. bequeathcd a hospital to the city
and the municipal governent failmed 10
comply with the terms of the beqnest:
could tie people be deprived OF
the benefits uf the institution, could
his heirs come In any say this property
belongs TO us, because you have failed 10
follow the lines laid down in the VIII =
Not at all. The people for whom the
city is simply trustee could compel the
observance of the conditions and stipula-
tions, but they could not be cut oil no
the enjoyment of bench OF the bequest."
The same argument. Mr.. Clark claims
holds good In the case Of the Dexter
training ground. Tnere are no heirs
who have any interest In the matter.
II the placing of statue there
Is violation of the terms OF Mr..
Dexter's will the people can secure It's
removal. So long as they consent TO It's
presence, no on else can Interfere.
This view Of the matter is generally
supported by members of the city coun-
Gil who have given the subject any con-
sideration.
Precaution Against Fire.
Many OF the recent fires in the center
of the city have been in bins and cellars
into which sweepings, waste paper. OLD
boxes, and other inflammable material
are thrown by owners and employees OF
stores aud workshops. The early
discovery of the fires and the prompt
arrival of the firemen has thus far
prevented serious consequences, but
Chief Child recognizes the fact that
these rubbish heaps are constant men
ace to property.
At the mee'ing OF the board
OF aldermen next Thursday he will pre-
sent "a communication calling attention
to the matter and requesting the APP
pUfutment of commi tee. with Fire
Marshal Win cor as member, to see
what steps can be taken to prevent accu-
mutation OF this dangerous material
The subject is a delicate one, because
these refuse heaps are. as rule, on
private property over which the
is thought an ordinance can
be drawn with which the
people geuerslly will comply and
which will reduce to the minimum the
danger from the fruitful source OF confia-
grafton.
Have Not Begun Work.
A story to the effect that the Consoli
dated railroad hSd begun the pre-
liminary work for the erection
O. the proposed new passenger station
gained some currency, but at the
local Office Of the company nothing was
known about the matter, while at the
city hall it was statel positively that
there was no foundation for the rumor.
The Consolidated Railroad company's
attorney il examining the title to the land
which the city obtained from the New
York aud New England road aud will
transfer to it. But it is said by those
who are in position TO know thai work
may be begun at any moment.
or course this is the old familiar story
and he people will believe In these prom
ises when they are put in practice
However, there Is one graf
living feature in the present
situation, and that is that there is no
likenood of the Consolidated road get
ting permission to enlarge the present
station. On this point there seems to be
a general agreement.
Members of the city council who have
studied the question of improved
railway terminals say that while
they do not ques. ion the good faith
of the Consolidated road they do not
propose to give 1t PERMISSION
which may be taken advanta re Of 10, de-
Law the building of the new depot indefi
pitely. Providence has already suffered
enough from crampei rail way facilities.
The city has done It's part to bring about
a better condition OF affairs. 1t has dealt
liberally with the railroads and 1t now
exoects them to carry out their part Of
the agreement.
They Are Glad.
The r ,erks in the most of the depart
ments at the city hall are enjoying
a half-holiday today under the
order recently adopted stopping
work at IL o'clock on Saturday
The police and public works depart
ments are exceptions however. They
have matters which must be attended to,
and therefore the men are on duty there
as usual.
On the part OF some taxpayers there
isa disposition to growl at the new order
of things. but those who reap the
benefits of the half holiday
can see nothing antagno tic
nubiic servants few hours free
dom from toll. The grumblers.
h bowever. say tha) this letting
down of the bars in the cas-, of the city
hall employees will be followed bY
other aud more costly innovations.
perhap, 80, but MS council
man remarked to a complaining tax
nayar todny. lets be satisfied that we