The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-16
SIXTH CITY.
Cranston Wants to Be a Mu-
nicipaIity.
Big and Boisterous Meeting at Mar.
ragansett Park.
When They Got Down to Business
They Sawed Lots Of Wood.

The largest and most boisterous meet
ing ever held in this town came to close
Yesterday at 4:3o p. m, and proved be-
zion OF the more level headed Of the towns
citizens, in declaring in favor of a muni-
cipal form OF government, to be the only
safe plan for the future prosperity OF the
town.
No better argument could have been
asked for by the friends Of the city pro-
ject than the manner in which some OF
the business was conducted, the pande-
monium that reigned and which was only
quelled on the assumption OF authority
by the town sergeant, and the cessation OF
all business until quiet had been restored.
Never in the palmiest days of the Tenth
Wa I'd ucuses were such scenes witnessed
as those INDUCED in by some of the free
mon OF Cranston town.
The meeting was called to order at 910
a. m. by Gilbert NJ. Luther, moderator,
the warrant being read by Town Clerk
Waterman.
The first serious outbreak was when
Town Treasurer Balm had finished reading
his report, which was submitted to fire
OF criticisms and commented on very un-
favoraby. Ii looked at one time as though
the meeting would refuse to receive
the report, but wiser counsel prevailed,
and on the advice of Judge Palmer the re-
port was accepted and placed on file. The
town clerk then read the report Of the
overseor OF the poor, and Joseph A. La
than read the report of tho school com
mittee.
William Ross OF Knightsville, started
things along by moving to Tx the rate of
taxation at 81 on each 800 valuation.
After much discussion and many explain
ations IL was so voted.
Il sum sufficient for the bond interest
account sinking fund and note interest
account was appropriated.
A sum sufficient for the State tax was
appropriated. The town treasurer was
authorized to hire $4,000 for running ex-
penses, and TO renew all outstanding
notes.
Twenty-Five thousand dollars was ap-
propriatsd for public schools, 500 for APP
peratus and $500 for drawing. After
long and tiresome discussion, in which
charges were made and denied, IL was
voted to appropriate $1,000 for repairs OF
highways and bridges.
The following resolution was brought
upat this time: Resolved, I nat the salary of
the superintendent of Schools, be, and
the same Is hereby made $500 per annum,
and IL is further resolved, that the School
Committee employ as such superintend-
cent, man who is specially qualified and
trained for such position, and that
he devote his whole time TO the duties
of his Office.
Ex-senator Hall OF Edgewood in sup
port of tho resolution, cited the present
deplorable condition of the town school
system and favored this progressive step
and took occasion to introduce school,
committeeman Lester A. Freeman as a
man amply qualified to fill such position.
This was clearly not to the liking of the
body, but they very courteously listened
to Mr.. Freeman, whose embarrass-
ment at the position in which he was
placed was very evident. Ex- Representa-
tive Brayton took exceptions to the re-
marks of the ex-senator, and defended
the schools, and incidentally the present
superintendent, and made an amendment
TO the resolution, making the salary 1000,
and eliminating the clause, "That he shall
devote his whole time to such duties"
But the meeting was impressed with the
remarks made by the ex-senator and
others who made demand for a change
from the present management, and the
resolution was passed. Resolutions TO
the effect that the town treasurer give
bonds, the cost of same to be borne by the
town; that the town treasurer be in the
town hall at least one day in the week,
between the hours OF 10 and were passed.
About this time spirit of economy
prevaded the meeting. and to the dismsy
of some OF the town officers. The follow
ing schedule was adopted for the ensuing
year. Highway commissioner, $1,000,
reduction OF 500 per annum;
town clerk, Sl000 tax assessor,
$500; town sergeant, 1900; chief of police,
and overseer OF the poor, Zoo each; super
iutendent OF health, 500; truant officer,
$500; running expenses of town clerks
Office, $1,000; common laborers on the
highway, 15cts. per hour; two-horse team
and driver, i0cts. per hour; one horse
team, 25cts. per hour; town engineer for
services as surveyor and civil engineer,
including cost OF copying plats, $500.
Ex-senator Hall at this time introduced
the following resolutions: Resolved, That
our Senator and Representatives to the
General Assembly be authorized to apply
20 tho General Assembly for an act incor-
porating tho City OF Crsnston
and to transact any business that
may legally come before said meeting.
And in support of the resolution, he made
a powerful plea TO his hearers, to break
away from the Anticipated methods now
In vogue, and become part of the pro-
gressivcness that Is shared by our sister
towns. The resolution was seconded by III.
NJ. Coombs, who dwelt particularly on the
argument to be adduced by the opposi-
tion that the expense OF a municipality
would be too great. declaring it 10 be i'm
possible for the municipal form OF gov
ernment TO conduct business as is now
possible under the present oligsrohy
which no termed n mob.
Frank Il. Budlong, as n member of the
Council, supported the resolution, saying
that under the prOent form 1t was inn
possible for every part OF the town TO re-
ceive its just due, the very fact that as
now one part OF tho town receives every
thing, while another part gets nothing.
Such things would not be possible with
an intelligent City Council. Board OF
Aldermen and Mayor.
George Il. Francis and Henry o. Tripp
advocated the annexation OF the eastern
section OF the town TO Providence. Ex-
Senator hail and Councilman Budlong
opposed the dividing OF the town or the
annexation. Henry Pratt, the Nestor OF
Oak Lawn, favored The dividing OF the
town into two districts, eastern and
western.
Tho excitement had by this time
reached such pitch that IL was an utter
impossibility for any one TO be hoard,
much less understood, but by vigorous