The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-28

members, the Governor has contributed
greatly toward the many important
pieces of legislation that have been
placed upon the statute book during his
administration. The plurality election
amendment has already been referred
to, but there should also be mentioned
as laws, which he has favored and as
sisted in passing, the biennial election
amendment TO the Constitution, the
measures for the improvement
Of the highways, the free textbook
act, the anti-pool.selling law, the acts
regulating the business of surety COM
panies and building and loan associa-
tions, the medical practitioners bill. the
factory inspectors act, and the revision
of the statutes. He probably regrets,
more than anything else, that he was
unable TO secure the veto power for
future Governors, but in this he has
plenty Of precedents for failure.
Favoring the wise expenditure of
money in public improvements, many
enterprises of that nature are identified
with his administration. such as the
court houses at Woonsocket and Kings
ton. the new Normal School, building
FOR the Institute for the Deaf,
permanent camp ground for
the militia, and armories in Westerly,
Pawtueket, Newport, and Bristol. He
has also the satisfaction of witnessing,
before leaving Office, the first appropri-
alton for the much needed armory in
Providence, for the securing of which he
is largely responsible.
To the militia he has been a real
commander-in-chief, and, although ham
pered by the unsatisfactory laws, the
brigade may be said to have attained a
high degree of efficiency and discipline
under his administration. His connect
ion with the militia will be remembered
by the HACKETT court martial, which
some officers thought he would
not dare to order, and would
not dare to carry out the sentence OF
the court when declared. The brigade |
and his staff will remember |
him for his devotion to camp life and the
hard gallops he led them over the dusty
country roads. On his magnificent
charger at the head of the troops Cover
nor BROWN has looked every inch a
Governor.
Rifle practice was revived during
he first year of his administration and
10 showed his cordial sympathy with the
movement, not only by appearing at the
ange and qualifying as a marksman.
'ut by annual y presenting handsome
'old medal for the best shot in the
'rigade. AT his personal request an
rny officer was stationed here for the
Instruction and inspection of the brigade.
The Governor has been good friend
the militia. and future commanders in
hief will reap benefits from the revised
lllitia laws promoted by his admins
ration, though introduced too late.
Unfortunately. to be considered at this
ession.
Other legislative reforms have received
is advocacy, and have undoubtedly {
lade much advance towards final adop- c
on through his influence. Before many
ssions have passed we will probably 4
70 adopted the changes in the q
ethods OF taxation and election of
SCISSORS. the amendments to the ballot ii
W, and the methods of registration. d
o abolition OF the district school sys- Il
IN, and the compulsory examination of p
nchers, and appointment of separate v
partment for the supervision of bank Ii
3 and insurance, the conferring of the h
to power upon the Governor, which are r
long the measures which he has advo. tt
ted assiduously, in many cases taking p
the work which other Governors had
d down, and pushing it with zeal and
thusiasm. thus maintaining a con-
tent policy in certain broad and well
ined lines, and turning it over to his 81
'cessor one step farther advanced a,
ward incorporation into State law. re