The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-12-21
fHE SOLICITORS OPINION.
Informs Aldermen in Regard TO Tenth
Ward Election Investigation.
Salary Of Truant onlcer Raised From
$1,000 to $500 Miscellaneous.


The question OF investigating the al
legged election frauds in Ward 10 by the
present Board Of Aldermen was settled
Yesterday afternoon by the city solicitor
who sent tho following communication;
"The petitien Of Henry Hartley ct al.
7 and OF Wilter r. Riley ct al. to the Board
OF Aldermen alleging eisctorial frauds and
violation OF law by election omcsrs at the
late municipal election in the Tenth Ward
OF the city, are referred to me to report
what powers, II any, the Board OF Alder
men has In the matter.
"The Petitions suggested two questions;
first. the manner Of bringing to punish
ment nyviolators OF the election laws;
K and second, when and for what purpose 1t
would be competent for the Board OF
\ Aldermen 10 inquire into any frauds
charged to have been committed.
ssAs to the first, the channel is open by
complaint through the police department
to bring all vioistors OF the law 70 pun
ishment
"As to the second question have TO ad-
wise that, in my opinion, it was compe-
tent for the Board, sitting as returning
board, to count the vote and declare the
result, to have Investigated any charge of
fraud brought to the attention
OF the Board in season for
such investigation and TO have
taken action as such returning Board,
based upon any findings OF fraud. The
matter. however, OF counting the votes
and declaring the result are powers con-
ferred upon the Board by statute, and the
present Board having performed said
function by counting the votes and de-
claring the result, cannot recall the ac-
tion.
1.-The incoming Board OF Aldermen, how
ever, has power TO investigate and take
action upon any fraud in relation 10 the
election of its own members. This is ex-
pressly provided by clause 4, section vi Of
the charter as amended by chapter 297 of
the public laws, which specifies among
other powers, that each board "may judge
Of the election OF its own members"
"FRANCIs CoLwELL,
"City Solicitor"
The opinion wns received and placed on
Ole.
Taken From the Table.
The resolution relative to sending young
children to Dexter Asylum was taken from
the table and disposed OF by indefinite
postponement. The amendment relative
to the compensation of the truant officer
was also taken from the table, and tho re-
solution raising that officials salary from
$1,000 to $500 was passed. Considerable
street business was transacted and further
than that nothing but routine matter
came up at what was one OF the shortest
sessions of the present Board.
Three thousand dollars were appropri-
ated for the printing Of the early town
records.
Mayor Olney presented a communion
tion received by him from the New York,
New Haven q Hartford Railroad Com
pany, stating that the compsny's lease OF
certain piece OF city land, dating from
1888, and renewed in March, 1894, would
expire by limitation Jan. 1, 1895. The
land referred to Is that occupied by the
xailroad on the west side of Canal street.
The communication was referred to the
committed on city property.
Police Matters.
The appointment of Patrick McLinden
and George w. Stewart by Chief Child
10 fill vacancies on the police force was ap-
proved by the Board.
Upon recommendation of Chief Child
1he pay OF the following patrolmen was
saised from $3.50 to s2.75 per day:
Edward ID. Coakley, Frank Di Grado,
Thomas McCartin, Patrick j. McElroy,
William 4. Pointer, Stephen Ryan, Char
les A. Tanner and Louis II. Streeter.
A resolution was passed authorizing the
Mayor to make an agreement with Will
lam NJ. Bailey, Amass H. Eaton and
Gardiner G. Sims, trustees of the estate of
Sarah B. Eaton, for a corner in Mason,
Randolph and Ravine streets.
The petition OF William w. May and
wife to move building from Waterman
80 East George street was granted.
Alderman Ballou presented a resolution
relative TO the compensation of the assist
ant engineer and other employees engaged
IN park improvement. 1t provides that
their pay shall be taken from the special
park Improvement appropriations. The
RESOLUTION was passed.
The semi-annual report OF the city So
hcitor, the weekly report of Dexter Asy-