The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-06
The Depot Plans Of the Con-
soIidated Accepted
WITH ApRowso FOR TRAINsHEps,
City Solicitor Authorized to Ascertain
the Rights Of the City and the OBJ
legations OF the Railroad Policy
Playing TO BE Suppressed.

uepOt tefnlnhl pfODlcm 1hSt evening ih
dead earnest, and finally adopted a reso-
luton which commits ii to the acceptance
OF the Consolidated's plan as presented,
with the proviso, however, that coin
cidentally with the depot construction
and completion, a suitable train-h house
must be built of sufficient width to cover
all of the passenger tracks and platforms,
and in accordance with plans to be ap-
proved by the City Council. AS an
evidence OF the good faith OF the city 1t
was stipulated that nothing con-
tanned in the resolution shall
prevent the immediate con-
struction of the passenger station and
building. Coupled with this action was
the adoption of another resolution direct
ing the city solicitor to give his opinion
upon the rights of the city and obliga-
tions of the railroads. There was vigor-
Gus and exhaustive debate covering
period of two hours and the argument
of Mr.. Parkhurst was powerful ele-
ment in the decisive action taken. He
reviewed the railroad legislation to prove
that the Consolidated had committed
itself to the Terminal Company plan and
that the city could compel the railroad
through the agency of the Supreme Court
to fulfill its obligations. The substitute
resolution was an earnest that the city had
no intention OF interposing de-
lay and the responsibility for
failure to proceed with the
work was thrown upon the Consolidated.
The obstructionists sought to secure
postponement of action to another meet
ing by a notice Of reconsideration, but
they were sat upon by second
meeting, and much confusion prevailed.
Among other items of business, was
the adoption of a resolution request
ing legislative authority by which the
powers of the police authorities may be
enlarged in dealing with policy gambling
and pool selling; the defeat OF the Wet
resolution seeking to vest In the City
Council the definition OF the duties Of the
commissioner OF public works; an in
PRODUCTION of resolution providing for
theelection in joint convention of boards
of canvassers and registration for alter
nate periods of three years in January.
The Board bill removing the list of
justices of the peace from the city elec-
tion ballots was concurred in.
Mr.. Parkhurst for the committee on
ordinances reported on the petition Of
p. J. Mccarthy and others for the sup
preston of policy playing and pool selling.
considered the petition and have found
from the chief of police that gambling in
the form known as policy playing and
pool selling is rapidly increasing in this
city, and that the police are not sufficiently
authorized under the existing statutes
to suppress the spreading evil in its pre-
sent form. The committee reported fur
ther that in Massac husetts, Connecticut
and other states, laws had been adopted
tending to suppress the evil, and recon-
mended that immediate steps be taken
to prohibit said games in this State.
A resolution accompanying the report
was adopted. The resolution was as fol-
lows
Resolved, That the city solicitor
be and he is hereby requested TO
apply to the General Assembly as
soon as possible for the enactment
of such laws as will authorize the police
and other public officials to apprehend
and prosecute to conviction and sentence
all persons who are directly or indirectly
engaged in the business of playing, pro-
noting, soliciting or encouraging gam
bling, especially games known as policy
playing and pool selling.
The resolution was unanimously
adopted.
Mr.. Vaughan, for the committee on
finance, introduced an ordinance chang
ing the salary of the assistant in the office
of the Inspector of buildings from $500 per
annum to s16 per week, payable weekly.
The ordinance was adopted.
An ordinance authorizing the city
treasurer to employ such additional as
sistance in ascertaining the proper per-
sons to be notified of the sale Of real estate
for unpaid taxes, and in notifying such
persons, as may be necessary, was also
adopted.
Mr.. Vaughan also introduced an ordin-
ance, authorizing the Inspector Of plumb
ing to employ an assistant at a salary
of not more than $500 per annum, which
vas adopted after considerable discussion.
Mr.. Mullen moved that the ordinance
be laid upon the table inasmuch as i'm his
opinion the official should tend to the
duties in his Office himself.
Mr.. Ira Winsor hoped that the ordi-
nance would be adopted. He stated that
the official, in order to perform his duties
faithfully, should not be tied down by
Office work. IL was so voted.
Supr ort of the Poor.
A communication from the overseer OF
the poor calling for funds to carry on the
WOrK OF tne rcl1tl VI tnc ucotitute WAS
received, and an ordinance in amendment
OF Chapter 515 of the ordinances relating
to the support of the city government
and adding $4,000 to the appropriation
for the support of the poor, was passed.
Mr.. Whitley, for the committee on
claims, reported on the .,etitions of the
Rhode Island School OF Iciign and the
Union Baptist Society for remission OF
taxes. and resolution remitting those
taxes was adopted.
The committee reported on the petit
tions of 8. Il. Hornly, +. j. Blanding,
Henry A. Barker and Michael j. Degnan |
for remission OF sewer assessments and
recommended the passage OF resolutions
remitting these assessments. The reso-
lutions were adopted.
Also, reported upon the petition OF Mar
Tin Sullivan claiming the reward OF 500
offered by the chief OF police for the arrest
and conviction of the murderers OF An
thony s. Haswell, stating that the petit
tion had been carefully considered and IL |