The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-05
POWER is TOO LIMITED.
Gov Russell Desires Greater Ex-l
ecutive Responsibility and Power.
WANTS FAST DAY ABOLISHED.
Experience, He Decl "a, Has shown IN.
Dangers OF tho Present svstem--Ab-
sence OF Power la tL. Governor Bsgsts
Lack of Control In tho People.

BosToN. Jan. .. = This a. ornins Gov.
William T.. Russell deiiyes,d his annual
message TO the legislature
After expressing thanks for his electicn
for the third TINS, reviewing the work OF
the past year. nd recommended that
legislation define the bj.cts OF expendi-
ture for campaign purposes and restrict
amounts.
lie commended the justice OF giving
the same recogriton TO any regularly or
gan.zed political party as is now aivsn 10
the leading political parties, aud spoke OF
the expediency of repeating the law mar
mltting the recount CT ballots.
He bewailei tie limited power of the
CHIEF executive aud said that another
years experience hal only shown more
clearly the danger, friction, and ire
sponslbility Of the present system in the
absence OF proper po yer in the governor
ana SO CT responsible control ia the people
lie agaiu renewed the sugg stlons aud
recomnendations heretofore made upon
this subject: First, that certain unneces.
sary Offices and commissions bc abolished:
second, that proper steps be taken TO sim
pity and systematic. the machinery for
administrative work; third, that admn-
isration be placed upon n basis of full
responsibility tO tue people b. vesting in
tue governor alone the power to remove,
Tor cause stated, any executive officer ap-
pointed by him.
lie advocated thr immediate necessity
OF the change in the system OF prisoI
control ana recommended that Jle war
den be given control of his subordinate
officers. the board Of prison commission
ers control or him aud the gouernmcnt
contrOl II them
Regarding the right OF self yoverment
by towns aud cities lac said that where
representation OF the people is necessary
The representative shollI b. directly aad
lmm ediately responsible 10 theLl and he
urged that greater executive power and
responsioiliiy y be placed iIpou the gov
ernment ana aruestly recommended that
whenever aud wherever possible tie
right Of local scif government sh suld be
lefe IN or restored TO IT, cities and towns.
referring TO the acts CT last year he said
thaC of $50 acts nearly one-tnird were
special laws. passed upon the application
OF twenty-five cities and eighty five
towns, Or these acts Is were TO intro-
due, increase or improve water supplies,
or regulate water rates; IL to autnorizs
water debts; to refund indebtedness: Z
10 Issue bonds; 10 20 confirm proceeding,
OF town meetings; Ito take laad for pun
lie purposes; relating to grade I.ossi ngs;
o rights IL brtdges;4 4 to fisheries; to
duties Cf officials, and there were many
others relating To salaries, sewers aud
other local matters.
Turning his attention to Boston he
spoke OF the need of better sewerage, OF
rapid transit and an EN- larged system aud
better water supply.
He dwelt upon che need OF i,nprvve-
ments OK the highways, aud briefly touch
ing upon education, labor, and Agricul-
ture. said the militia of the common
wealth had during the past year Ahown
marked Improvement.
He regretted that little or nothing had
yet been doue to reform the system .f
land registration and transfer.
After touching upon the desirabiIity OF
doing away With fast Day, he recom-
mended the selection Of the historic 10th
Of April rs a spring holiday.
He closed with plea for closer trade
connections with Canada