New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-29
Rhinebeck. N. Y, where Mr. and Mrs. j. J. Aste
have been for some time.
RHODE ISLANDS ANNUAL ELECTION
REASONS FOR THE REJECTION OF THE coNsrrru
TIoNAL AMENDMENT-TiiE NEW BLOCK
ISLAND HARBOR

TIONAL AMENDMENT-THE NEW BLOCK
ISLAND HARBoR.
p,o,,denca y l.. Sept % (SpeclaD--The on. IN.
.dar, ., the week has beei the special e.ec,ion On
an amendment OF the Constitution providing for
bionniaI elections and other changes. While II was
anticipated that the vote would be small. the mega
tive result has surprised great many politiciars
Had tho three propositions which were dovetaied
together in the amendment stood separately. %
that the voters could vote on each by ITSELF there
"a little doubt that the biennial election feature
would have been adopted. Yet after all, there hss
been no popular demand for even biennial eectiona
The abolition OF the majority feature OF the cleo.
ton Tvs has done away with great many Of the
superfuous by-electlons which were formerly 20
annoying and measures have been taken providing
for biennial elections for municipal officers that
In any case the number OF elections has been ms.
teria.iy reduced In the last few years.
The Democrats and Prohbitionists and some Re
publicans favor a constitutional convention TO set.
tie many questions OF government. The courts have
decided that there Is no way now provided whereby
such a convention be legally called, Il q
likely. however, that an amendment TO the Consu.
tuition providing for the calling OF constitutional
convention will at some future time be submitted 10
the people. Until then all those who favor such
convention will vote against amendments 10 the
organic Jaw because the passage OF each amend.
ment seems to lessen the demand FOR convention
General Elisha Dyer who has been Adju,an..
General OF the State for nearly OF years
has informed the Governor that he shall soon reszn
his commission. He has been contemplating such
action for nearly three years. and has only been
waiting until the publication OF the Rhode Island
war records has been completed. This IL work
in which General Dyer has been greatly interested
and to which he has devoted considerable time and
attention The books being distributed II
Is understood that General Dyers successor viii be
Ll
the War OF the Rebellion with great distinction
This appointment will hold only until the Legisat-
ure meets in January, when they will elect an
Adjutan,-General in joint convention. II Is unlikely
however. that the Governors appointment will bs
approved by that body. The same Legislature will
have - accent reject the elaborate Militia bill
prepared last year by a commission. which provides
for a radical reorganization OF the State forces
Last Saturday the Governor and General Assembly
and a large number OF other public men visited
Block Island to inspect the new harbor OF refuge
which has been established In the Great Salt Pond.
through appropriation of $4,000 from the State
supplemented by a large appropriation from the
town OF w-Shoreham. canal has been cut
through the neck OF land separating the
Great Salt Pond from the ocean. Vessels OF the
largest type are now enabled 10 sail through the
breach into harbor. which covers so acres and
in which the water is deep enough to float
erai hundred wide. with substantial retaining
walls, and protected on the ocean side by break
water The large steamer Block Island carrying
The Governor and party passed through the breach
into the new harbor without dfculty. although the
work is not nearly completed. The General Govern
ment has not looked upon the plan with favor be-
their engineers have declared that the breach
way would fill up again; but the projectors Of
the scheme feel confident that a new and permanent
harbor of refuge Of great value 70 all coastwse trsf
fc has been established. IL will change the grog-
raphy Of Block Island materially since the steam
boat wharyes ard yachting rendezvous VII both es
transferred to the new harbor. thus incidentally
helping some OF the hotels and injuring others
new settlement will doubt, grow up on the shores
OF the Great Salt Pond.
bulletin from the Census Once shows that mo
nopulation of Woonsocket is pass. gain or ZS N
ten years The city OF Central Falls mas
population Of 1898. East Providence has oi, 10.
habitants a gain OF 1854 In ten years. the nglres
for Providence have not been completed Not lat
from 100 600 Is the current prediction warren has
lost 1888 inhabitants In the decade