The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-02-16
IN STATE LEGISLATURE.
Senator Miller Argues tor
Grand Committee Meeting.
HOUSE AGAIN SENDS UP REQUEST.
Col. Honey Wants Poll Taxes hbol-
ished-Mr. Mumford's BilI TO Prevent
Corrupt Practices in Election and for
Publication of Candidates Expenses.

The Senate was called TO order by
Governor Brown soon after II o'closk this
morning. The roll was called and the
minutes were rcad, after which Senator
Reed OF The committee ON judiciary re-
ported fayoraby ON the application OF the
town of North Providence 60 be per-
mitted 10 increase its debt in an amount
not TO exceed per cent. The report was
accepted by unanimous vote.
Senator Cranston presented resolution
providing for the purchase of metallic
markers 10 be placed at the head OF the
graves OF the soldiers and sailors who are
buried i'm Rhode Island. The matter was
referred TO the committee on finance.
Senator Cranston then presented an in
vitation to the Governor and the members
OF the Senate TO visit the Soldiers Home
at Bristol during the month OF May. The
ift*ftat1on was accepted.
The acts 20 incorporate Charles II. Guild
Post, No. 27, G.. A, r., and Pettaquamscott
Lodge OF Newport were returned TO the
Senate from the committee on education,
and the acts were granted.
The committee on education also re-
ported favorable on the act of incorpora-
tion of he West End Club, but the matter
was returned to the committe for recon-
incubation, il being considered that the
name of the new club confiicted with the
name of an organization that had already
been incorporated. .......,
Ssuutor Read osfesed an act TO incorpo-
rate the Second Presbyterian Church OF
Providence, and the matter was ireferred
TO the committee on ednGtion.
Az this point the clerk OF the House of
Representatives appeared with a resolu-
tion inviting the Governor and Senate to
meet the House in grand committee on
February % at IL o'clock.
On the motion OF Senator Whipple all
matters on the clerks desk were referred
to the House, after which the grand COM
mittee invitation was taken up and read.
Senator Miller then moved that the i'm
vitation be accepted, and when the mo-
tion had been seconded. he took the floor
and commenced his elaborate discussion
of the situation from Democratic point
of view.
AZ soon as Mr. Miller commenced to
speak the crowd commenced to gather In
the corridors and the lobby. Representa-
tives of both parties came up and stood
in the doorways, while the hull pen of
the lower house was practically deserted.
Mr.. Miller first considered whether II
was possible for the Senate to accept
the invitation OF the House TO meet
in grand committee. He rehearsed
the provisions of the constitution
concerning the election of State officers
and reviewed the condition of affairs at
the time of the adjournment of the May
session, and said that while the duty
of the State officials. was
clearly outlined it had -. never
had been pub forward was contained in
the partisan resolution adopted by the
Republican member of the Senate against
the protest and votes Of their Demo-
cratic colleagues, and of one independent
man, Repn blican, who placed his abiiga-
tion TO the Constitution OF the State and
to his God whose name he had invoked
in support of that constitution,
before party : dictation, The reason
presented IN that excuse was
not good in fact or in law. land the party
who offered IL had finally resorted to the
most high handed and unconstitutional
method to keep It's candidates in control
of the State, in direct violation of the law
and of the constitution.
Mr.. Miller criticised the action OF the
Governor the Secretary of State and the
Supreme Court in anything but gentle
manner, and ended by calling upon the
Senate 10 perform its most important
legal duty by accepting the invitation of
the House to meet In grand committee.
When Mr.. Miller took his seat Mr..
Freeman said that he wished to call
Senator from Providence had
overlooked. The State constitution recog-
nized three legislative bodies, the Senate,
the House, and grand committee. The
Senate bad no right to say who should
and who should not sit in
the House; the House had no
right to attempt TO criticise the compost
tion of the Senate, but either branch had
the power TO control the seats in the
grand committee and to use every effort
To prevent anyone who had not been
legally elected from holding such seat.
Mr.. Freeman said that he would like to
speak further on the resolution, so Senator
Miller consented TO withdraw his motion,
and the matter was made the special order
of the day for next Tuesday at 1870
o'clock.
The Senate was then adjourned until
Monday morning