The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-08
SENATE HEARINGS.


The Senate cham Der was well filed thi,
morning when the judiciary commit
tee opened the hearings on the
eight bills that are TO he reported
at the hext session of the General
Assembly. All the members of the COM
mittee were present and soon after IL
o'clock Senator Freeman, the chairman
called for the first measure. ~
This was the resolution to repeal the
act, passed at the last session of the Legis-
lature, exempting' educational and chari-
table institution from taxation.
Alderman Daniel X. Ballou appeared for
the city and spoke at length in favor OF the
passage OF the resolution. He said
that In accordance with the constitution
OIL the State OF Rhode Island Ii was illegal
10 exempt any religious institution
from taxation on the ground that under
the constitution there should be an entire
separation between church and state and
support OF any religious institu-
ton. Mr.. German had stated before the
committee at the last hearing that
while there were 26,619 pupils in
the public schools, the parochial
schools We're educating 10 ,032, and he be-
lieyed that this would result in class divi-
sions and class distinctions and he could
say that this bill was simply a prelmin-
airy step, as he should appear before the
next Legislature TO present a bill compell-
ing every institution to pay its taxes.
Hon. Charles II. German appeared be-
fore the committee and made an earnest
speech in opposition to the measure. He
this kind was to be taxed
he would be willing to bear his
share OF the burden, however large IL
might be. III on the other hand, however,
millions OF dollars were to be exempt he
IA no \. DDf. II
DC eslngied out as the exception. There was
q principle higher than dollars and cents
behind the question, and he appeared to
demand right and justice for the many
persons who were 10 be injured by the
passage OF such legislation.
Mr. Jackson appeared to speak in
favor OF the bill, while Mr.. Cass OF Woon-
socket and Mr.. Conlin OF Pawtucket
spoke against 1t.
Alderman Ballou then replied TO Mr..
Gorman and somewhat spirited discus
sion occurred between Mr.. Freeman and
Messrs German and Bailou and assistant
solicitor Baker after which the committee
look the matter under consideration.
AS soon as this measure was dismissed
the act providing for the enforcement
OF the policy and lottery law was taken
up. Assistant City solicitor Baker rep
presented the legal side of the matter and
explained why 1t was impossible TO obtain
conviction under the present law.
Mayor Olney said that he had tried to
prevent lottery and policy gambling, but
had found ii impossible. He would ASSURE
the committee, however, that he would
drive gambling from the city il the new
act was passed.
Thomas w. Waterman appeared with a
petition from the Baptist Young Peoples
bill.
Edmund s. Hopkins, Esq, ex lass istant
attorney general, addressed the commit
tee In opposition TO the bill. He
argued that the law upon
the statute books was adequate
He said that in 1876 he defended IL cases
Tor policy selling under the present law,
and each paid the penalty prescribed by
law. This law did not origi-
nate with the law denait-
ment, but was copied from the New York
and Boston laws. He referred to the orr
gin of the New York law which he claimed,
nased upon information from a maga-
zine article, was scheme on the
part OF an employe OF the Custom
House department to receive revenue for
himself and certain detective officers.
He instanced the horrible disclosures
which had resulted from the investi-
CATION by the legislative committee
OF New YORK. Or. Parkhurst had said
thanked God il his crusade had
had tendency to restrict blackmail.
There were cases pending before the grand
jury at Its present term, and il the law is
defeated 1T will then and there be
determined. lie could not find
that any reason had been
cited for change in the law. III the
prosecuting officers will force pending
cases to conviction there is no necessity
OF the adoption of new and untried sys-
tenn on tie adoption of resolutions by any
Baptist Sunday School convention.
Rev. DIR. Horton, pastor of the Union
Congregational Church, said that what
was wanted was law for the protection
OF the children. This form OF gambling
mas no standing. IL made no
difference from what source this move-
ment originated. He thanked God that
some individual had acted independently
OF any pull of political party and was
determined to rid the city of this terrible
evil.
The pastor of the Plymouth Congrega-
tional Church, Rev. Mr.. Stinson, directed
special attention to the operations of a
policy slip distributor in South Provi-
oence who sold them to the
motormen and conductors on the electric
cars. lie had some $50 scholars in his
Sunday School, and he had found by in
vestigation that at least two
dozen of the boys and girls had
been prevailed upon by this man
to buy the slips for 1, 2 and 3 cents apiece.
lie emphasized the necessity OF the enact
ment OF such stringent law as would
secure the arrest and conviction OF policy
dealers and the suppression of the dam
nable traffic.
Mayor Olney said that the inference
had been made by Attorney Hopkins that
there was something wrong in the police
department in the prosecution of viola
tors OF the law. He desired to
say that IL any official or any
officer was proved to have accepted bribes
or tips he would see to il that he was dis
charged at once. He would take prompt
action in such cases.
2 o'clock.