The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-01-30

lands. Az that time the agents Of the corpora
tion. believe, promised in return that an ele-
waited structure should be erected at an early
date. No steps have been taken to carry out
this improvement nor are there any signs that
there will be anything done In the near future.
Meanwhile considerable traffic and trade Is
being drawn to Boston from Fall River and
Newport which otherwise would be attracted
TO Providence. and our citizens residing in
Bristol and Warren and neighboring places
are put TO some inconvenience in conducting
their business. While IL Is perhaps somewhat
unreasonable TO expect that during the pres
ent time of depression the railroad corpora
ton should go TO the expense Of erecting tho
promised elevated railroad, there seems TO be
no good reason why An attempt should not bs
made to furnish the relief needed, by utilizing
the tracks at grade along South Water Street,
with steam or electricity as motive power
II seems to me that Narragansett Bay is the
key which will unlock to our citizens railroad
conveniences and facilities now unattainable.
Rhode Island possesses the finest harbor ap-
proaches Oh the Atlantic coast, free from
rocks and shifting channels, we'll lighted and
of sufficient depth TO float in perfect safety
vessels that now seek New York and Boston.
The construction of a system of docks on the
Providence river would attract trade sufficient
TO compel recognition from any railroad com
pany. l regard this matter Of such moment
10 the business interests of the state as TO
warrant the request thai you authorize the
appointment OF commission for the purpose
OF considering a plan for the development of
our harbors. 1t Is not necessary tnat the i'm
provement should be carried out by the State
or the municipality, although IL would be pre-
ferable as public enterprise. Surely theS
Is sufficient energy and capital in our midst
TO enable the improvement to be carried out
even as q private In vestment under Staie and
municipal supervision. There is nothing more
dishearteping in the business life OF this State
today than tbs large amount of capital poured
into other communities for their development,
when such grand possibilities are at our very
door-steps.
The annual report OF the Railroad Commits
sioner Will show that the roads operated in
this State with but few exceptions are in a
prosperous condition and generally managed
with due regard 70 the safety of the public.
The capital stock of the steam roads is Si9,-
gls.j50; miles of road owned and operated
1885,. ~ OF which 27506 miles are in this State.
They have property and assets amounting TO
Sl36, ,5s3. .e9s.52. which is s7,25,lSl.7s over and
above the total amount OF capital stock and
all Indebtedness, funded and floating. The
total receipts from all sources were $36, l19,-
sf6.55. expenditures So, ,S33, 7s60S net earnings
S5.3i53dO.47.
A large part of the legislation which
he recommended last year was adopted,
but the act making it misdemeanor
TO walk upon railroad track with
out any right or permission. although il
passed the senate, was defeated in the House
IL is, perhaps, a sufficient commentary upon
this action TO state that during the year 20
persons were killed and injured while walk
ing upon or crossing the railroad tracks in ad-
ditioh 10 10 killed and 9inlured at grade cross
ings
In the matter of street railways he recon-
mends thai suitable wheel guards ana plat
form tenders be placed upon all cars and that
the rate OF speed In the streets of thickly set
tied localities be regulated by some competent
person. Authority should also be obtained by
statute to require better accommodations for
the public al some of the stations on the rail-
roads and also 10 have suitable shelters pro-
vided nj stopping places where Passengers
waiting for trains are now exposed ~ the in
clemency of the weather.
Election Laws.
Ihave seen no reason to alter my opinion re-
garding the advisability Of making certain
changes In our system OF voting. particularly
n the direction OF improving the form of the
ballot. the regulations regarding its marking.
the duties Of supervisors aud the method OF
canvassing the voting lists. entered into the
subject fully in my previous message to which
refer you Tor the details of the changes de-
sired and the reasons therefor.
In the interests OF Tree and full expression
of public opinion on all questions submitted 10
the people, ASK you TO consider whether il u
possible TO improve the present method OF
registration. Ihe registry ists are now a
monument of the energy and shrewdness of
political workers, and 10 AN undesirable ex-
tent represent influences prejudicial to free
vote. There is large class of respectable and
patriotic citizens who do not care TO spare the
time and effort required by the present system
OF registration. cannot their participation in
the rights OF the franchise be secured by pro-
yidng by law that the registry book shall be
In. kfardp nd Al sfr lot md h
care OF trusted official during other than
working hoursy l am also in full sympathy
with the Just demand of our foreign born citi-
zens that they shall not be compelled to pro-
duce their naturalization papers every time
they desire TO register.
Constitutional Amendments.
The extraordinary legislative experience OF
last May has not been entirely devoid of good
If il moved tho people to give that emphatic
approval of the proposition TO substitute the
plurality vote for the majority in all of our
elections. This latest amendment to the
Constitution which had the pleasure OF an
nouncinC on December 4th, cannot fail u
simplify our methods OF election and remove
the aggravation and expense which has
charac terized the majority rule. The reform,
however, is not yet complete. Under the new
system every vote will assume graver inn
portance, and with the determination OF the
legality OF peculiar ballots left largely to the
undesirable that the final counting of the
votes, should remain with body which from
its construction must be partisan. With the
Constitutional provision now in force, regard
ing the counting OF votes, it will be fortunate
| IL we avoid complications as perplexing as
those which have lately arisen.
| therefore recommend the adoption of q
proposition to submit TO the people an amend.
| ment of the Constitution which will substitute
for the Grand Committee non-partisan re-
| turning board empowered to count the votes
| for State officers and representatives in Con.
| gress, between the date of election and the
| time of Inauguration. and TO certify its find
| ings to the Secretary of State or other re-
| sponsible State officer This Change should bs
| extended 30 rs TO relieve the Boards of Alder.
| men and Town Councils of the incongruous
| duty Of counting the votes for members of tho
| General Assembly, and possibly to city and
| town elections.
With the foregoing amendment there shonld
| also be submitted proposition to extend the
term Of Office of state officials to not lees than
two years. Rhode Island and Massac husett:
stand alone among the states in their ad
herence to the antiquated practice of annual