The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-27

Today's Memorial Services
in the City Council.

The members OF the Board OF Aldermen
and Common Council met in joint sess ior
this afternoon for the memorial service il
honor OF the late City Auditor William ID.
Nisbet.
The two branches met i'm their respect
I've chambers at O'Clock and after rol
call the Council sent its official invitation
q TO the Board To meet in joint session and
the Mayor, with the members of the
upper branch, took their seats in the
4 Council Chamber. Other city off.
cials and the immediate members oi
\ Mr.. Nisbet's family occupied seats reserved
for them on the floor of the chamber and
the gallery was crowded with the many
friends of the deceased.
Prayer was offered by the Rev. DIR.
King of the First Baptist Church, after
which President Bsllou of the Board OF
Aldermen delivered the eulogy. His ad-
dress was as follows:
President Ballou's Speech.
IT is a source of personal regret
that, in obedience to your commands to
speak of the life and character CT William
3 ID. Nisbet, the late lamented city auditor OF
Providence, can not draw from intimate
and abundant knowledge of his social and
home life. Yet il is not altogether essen
tial that this side of human character
should be disclosed to the public gaze to
enable one TO draw correct conclusions as
to its actual conditions.
Our lamented friend held an official po-
sition In the municipal government which
~ unique as well as commanding in its inn
K portance.
The auditors Office may be said to be
the tribunal Of conscience and of last re-
sort In the administration OF city affairs.
The auditor stands guaxdiover the public
moneys. He is the watch dog of the
treasury. Schemes may be Matched in the
City Council TO divert the taxpayers
moneys TO purposes foreign to the scope
OF municipal powers, but, before the object
Is attained, the stern arbiter, who stands
ms with drawn sword over the treasury,
must be won over to the plot.
/ knew our lamented friend only as
public officer in the city government, and
even in his field of public duty my line of
service rarely brought me in contact with
his department. Upon the few occasions
OF personal contact with him was deeply
impressed with the sincerity, earnestness
and zeal of the man.
His manner and his words bore testi-
mony of one who entertained a serious
obligations as municipal Office holder.
Ills conception of official duty was an
ideal one. He held to what are sometimes
termed old fas hioncd ideas of official OBJ
legation, without the narrowness and un-
progressive spirit OF ealie- years. He
took the broad and comprehensive view
OF municipal government that all munich
pal officers we're trusted agents of the pub
lie, whose sworn duty ii was to manage
its business affairs and render a strict ac-
count OF the disposition of all funds en-
trusted to them as working capital for
carrying on the same.
IL there was any one quality that held
prominence in his character above an
other, 1t was his conscientiousness. / am
quite sure that he often took upon him
self the burdens OF worriment to which a
sensitive spirit like his is susceptible, but
which he should not, for the sake of his
own happiness, have assumed. His faith
fulness and devotion TO duty were beauti-
fully exemplified in his public service.
He had the quality of firmness, but not
the rugged sort that bristles with aggres-
eiveness. Once having made up his mind,
his mo" was final. He would listen quiet
~ and attentively TO oil one had to say,
but his decision was irrevocable.
But however much one might differ
from him in opinion, there was never any
doubt az to the honesty of his Judgment.
lie had quiet reserve and reticence of
check, hence he did not inspire what is
known as popular applause, but he en-
joyed the more steadfast aud constant re-
gard OF the few, who fully understood
and appreciated his worth.
Mr.. NisbeI was born in the city OF Prov
idence, and was the product OF its public
school system. He was reared amid the
Influences OF Rhode Island institutions,
and doubtless received home training
which not only made Of him good Rhode
Islander, but, as well, q good American
citizen. he imbibed in his training and
education that spirit OF personal inde-
peDdence and self-reliance so characteris-
tic OF our Rhode Island citizenship.
After he was graduated from the Provi-
dence High School, which is the only de-
gree that has ever been conferred upon
very many OF our most successful business
and professional men, he readily found
employment with one of the most respect
able business concerns in New England
Ills industrious habits, his intelligence
and accuracy as an accountant, together
with marked traits OF integrity, fidelity
and hrmness, attracted the attention OF
his employers and the business COM
munity, SO that when vacancy i'm the |
cince OF auditor was caused by the death |
OF the late James NJ. Cross, Mr.. Nisbet |
became his logical successor.
IL was marked compliment TO confer |
upon a young man, only thirty-seven |
$500 - ~ Nho nhl 10 experience IN L
municipal affairs, so responsible an office. |
The ndelity with which he discharged the |
porplexing duties OF the Office. and the |
ability he displayed, bear indisputable |
testimony TO the wisdom OF ths city's |
choice. His untimely death is n public |
loss, and II will be so esteemed and appre- |
cIated by thoughtful men in and out of |
she city government.
trust IL mny not be deemed inannro.
pirate, In this connection, TO refer briefly |
70 some aspects OF the great question OF |
municipal reform. While in the great
cities of Philadelphia, New York and Chi
eago municipal government il said TO be
an absolute failure, yet I'm our city of
Providence we have been espec ally favored
With city government a. yet unstained
BY venHlity or dishonest practices.
What might happen TO change the cur
rcut OF municipal honor end fidelity.
shonld the control 81 the city government
fafi into the hands OF elements which may
ind their way into our population that
are not In harmony with the spiritof our
Institutions aud laws, may give concern
TO thoughtful minds.
Ifn immunity froua ecanfala auH dfa.