The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-09-06
Only 45S Names Have Been Placed on
the Registry Books.
THE FOREIGN-BORN CITIZENS
Are Generally Fiiing naturalization
Papers-An Enort To Be Made to
Eject an Inspector of Plumbing Next
Monday Night.

Just ass citizens Of Providence had
oualitied themselves as voters by register
2ng at the city clerks Office up to noon
today This number is slightly in ex-
cess OF that registered at the same time
year ago. The clerks in charge OF the
registration books say that this year
citizens of foreign birth are bringing In
their naturalization papers in larger
numbers than a year ago, and when the
registration is completed IL is believed
that the number who have failed 10 per-
form this very Important duty be very
small
A large increase in the number Of citi-
gems who register is not expected until
about the middle OF November.
BY that time the payment
OF poll taxes begins, and many or those
who 90 to the city treasurer's office to help
support the government TO the extent of
dollar kill two birds with one stone by
registering n the same time.
II is a curious fact noted By the officials
mt the city hall that the registration law
is not fully understood by all the cit-
zens affected by IL. There are yet
8 me no think that having paid their
poll tax they are qualified TO vote with
out registering aud 1t takes a good
deal OF talk and considerable patience
10 convince them otherwise. The num-
ber OF times the clerks in the treasurer's
and city clerks Offices have explained to
obtuse individuals that the payment
Df the poll tax does not
qualify {, ,o.e aud that the essential
prerequisite is registration mounts up
into the hundreds. The erroneous idea
is. however, fast passing away and in a
year or two will probably be forgotten
altogether.
The Probable Number.
II is estimated that this year the regis
lration will be between 1900 aud $4,000,
Last year. the number of names
put on the books was 13, 164
From the middle Of November to
December 1st the daily average was over
100. There was marked increase In the
average from during December,o on the last
Law Of which 973 names were registered
Thus far no movement has been START
ID by either party to secure large regis
tration, but those about city ball who are
active in politics say that this matter
will not be neglected. and that vigorous
sork will be done as soon as the
municipal election is over. There is no
ocrats are feeling very sore because Of the
failure of their little scheme to capture
the city council This scheme,it will be re-
mbered, was Co transfer from the
registry list to the personal property liss
in certain wards now represented by Re-
publicans names enough to turn the rep
resentation over TO the Democrats.
Long lists OF names were brought to
the assessors who were asked to put them
on the personal property list. They
Vroperly refused TO 90 so. Had the
wners OF the names applied In person
and declared under oath they were
possessed of the amount OF property Tor
which they wished TO be assessed they
would have had the pleasure of seeing
heir names in the tax book, but
TO accept lists containing hun-
dreds OF names all in the same handwrit-
az and assess a tax against them would
be manifestly irregular aud ILLEGAL. So
the scheme failed and that is why the
Democrats $ are disgruntled.
Business for the Board.
The board of aldermen will meet to-
morrow afternoon. One OF the most i'm
portant matters on the docket is tho bill
creating fire commission which was
laid on the table some time ago. The fate
Of this measure for the present at least is
decidedly uncertain. w bile there is prob
ably "A majority in favor of its ulti-
mate passage there are strong indica-
sions that 1t will not be taken up tomor-
row. II is said that Chief Steere's friends
are working hard against It and that
they claim that IL it is taken up
they will be able to defeat 1t. Those
on the other side, however, de-
clare that n commission will
be established and that the delay in do
ing SO is not because OF the antagonlsm
OF the chiefs friends, but because OF a de-
sire to fix on competent men to fill DO
sitions on the board.
Some of the aldermen favor an adjourn
ment from tomorrow TO Monday night.
10 that both branches eau meet
in Joint convention for the election
Of an inspector OF plumbing under the or
dinarce passed some time ago. There is
q strong feeling in the board that this
matter has been delayed too long aud that
immediate action should be taken.
Washington l. Waite's petition for per.
mission to erect barn that is already
built will again come up and there il
promise of a very lively discussion on the
8uDjsct.
Notes About the Hall.
The committee on sewers will meet nj
pm. Friday in committee room III.
Another meeting OF the joint special
pmmittee on terminal faciiitIrs will be
bsld at ? o'clock Friday afternoon.
The COMMITTEES IN ltn ps will consider
matter coanec Ell with the departne r.
sta meeting Al o'c.ock Friaay af,,r-
q on.
Go missioner Smitn aud City K ~
peer Sne were Out OF the ci today
but were expected g. return this az r.
noon The commissioner has not We,
awarded thu contract for the pumping
engine at Pettaconsett.
unarfn tar, LIANT Iohn II Txrn.-. a a.