The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-08
STATE LEGlSLA
The Meaning Of the Corporation
Amendment Fully Discussed.
SENATE DOES LITTLE WORK.
Party Leaders Indulge In Debate, In
Which Courtesies Are Exchanged
That Avail Nothing-BiII Authorizing
Canvassing Boards to Print Addresses.

The House was called TO order at 1l:l5.
The first discussion arose in regard to a
bill TO incorporate LHarmonie Cana
dienne de Providence. The act was re-
ported from the committee on education
with recommendation of passage.
Ellery Ii. Wilson called attention to
the fact that under the recent constitu-
tional amendment there was diversity
of opinion as to the right of the General
Assembly to create corporations, and
pending the settlement of that question
by the court he movsd that the bill be
temporarily laid on the table. The mo-
ton was adopted. Eastwood Eastwood
moved that no act of incorporation be
hereafter referred to committees. Mr..
Brown questioned the position of Mr..
Wilson in the matter. He believed that
the General Assembly was fully compe-
tent TO decide the question for itself. He
thought that day or two was sufficient
to look over the issue.
Charles A. Wilson entered into the
constitutional question. He believed
that the General Assembly mad practi-
cally unlimited rights OF legislation, ex-
cept the limit of the constitution. He
read from the Public Statutes to prove
this view. He then read the amendment
recently passed. and explained that under
it he personally believed that the General
Assembly had the right to continue to
create corporations. But there is wide
diversity of opinion among the ablest
lawyers in the state as TO the powers of
the General Assembly. He wished there
fore TO wait a few days or until such
time as the question might be settled by
the courts.
Mr.. Blodgett said that the power to
create corporations never lay in the con-
.l...t tt al l.,,. IT,
eral Assembly. TIE amendment there
fore was, in his mind, simply restrictive,
and that the General Assembly could
easily determine its rights and powers
under the amendment. lie saw no need
10 apply To the Supreme Court. He
hoped that the House would 20 on with
its regular bill.
Charles II. Wilson called attention to
the decision of the Supreme Court ana
that irs decisions some times ran counter
to the general opinion expressed by law
yers. He was not 80 sure in his own
mind as to what decision would be rem
dered.
the Supreme Court. He wanted to take
n safe course The cousti ution is not an
enabling act but restrictive document,
hence, although he personally believed
that the General Assembly had right TO
create corporations, neverthelessit might
not have that right under the general
law. At ali events there could be no
doubt that the General Assembly had the
right by special enactment To create any
corporation. The amendment was specl-
fcally passed to take the place of the
present section in the constitution, and
hence it was merely restrictive. He
wished therefore, 60 wait until the Cen
eral assembly had passed some general
laws governing its own action in con-
formity with the new amendment. Pend
ing such action, he moved the bill be laid
on the table.
In the midst of the discussion and be-
fore putting the question, the speaker ex-
planned the parliamentary law regarding
the motion TO commit the bill anu ruled
both the last motiols out Of order, aud
further discussion was suspended on the
question.
Mr. Wilson from the judiciary commit
tee reported the bi TO nave the residences
Of voters printed on the voting lists by
boards Of canvassers. This acG was pre-
Mr.. Mccarthy moved that il be
laid on the table and printed. He ex-
planned that he did not fully understand
the bill aud wished TO have II presented
more fully TO the House. He afterwards
his motion and moved that iJ
be made the special order for Friday
at 1880
Mr.. Wilson called attention to the ne
cessity OF Immediate action on the bill.
owing TO the approach Of the time for
meeting OF the boards Of canvassers, and
he moved TO amend MIR. McCarthy's mo-
tion by making 10 special order for to-
morrow at 1880.
The discussion then wandered off into
The possible hidden meaning ot the bill
and the possible wicked intentions uf the
Republicans In proposing il and Mr..
VI Mulhoiland Imagined that there might