The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-02-26
Resolution for Constitutional
Amendment.
Legislature Takes First Step to Sc
cure Biennial Elections.
Proposed Amendment to City's Char
ter to Secure Change In Its Laws.

Transactions at the state House today
assumed greater Importance than on
any day since the opening OF the January
session.
The first OF the several proposed amend
ments TO the States Constitution was in
troduced by Mr.. Wilson, who presented a
resolution looking to the eventual change
from annual to biennial election OF
State officers.
The first step was also taken TO secure
the same change In the election laws OF
the city of Providence by Mr.. Barstow,
who presented o bill for an act in amend
ment to the city's charter.
The bill authorizing Providence TO con-
denim land for school purposes, which had
been made the special order OF the day,
was passed with but little opposition.
The Senate.
Senator Anthony, for the committee on
corporations, reported favorably on the
act to incorporate the Workingman's
Loan Association and it was passed.
On the recommendation of Senator
Dyer OF the committee on corporation the
Senate concurred with the House in the
passage of the act to incorporate the In
dustrial Insurance company.
The act amending the present marriage
law by making IL possible for minor who
has neither parents nor guardians TO OBJ
tain marriage license was recommended
passed.
The acts to incorporate the Mazzini
Political Club and the Westminster Club
OF Providence, were passed on the recon-
mendation of the committee on educa-
tion.
An act to incorporate the Kingston
Congregational Church of South Kings
town, was presented by Senator Watson,
and referred to the committee on educa-
tion.
Senator Dyer introd uced acts to incor-
rate the Portsmouth Camp Meeting Asso-
citation and the Howard a Son Company
which were read and referred.
The bills Of the Rhode Island Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
and w. IL. Crawley were referred to the
COMMITTEES on accounts and claims.
The act to incorporate Providence
Council, Princes of Jerusalem, Ancient
and Accepted Scottish Rites, was intro
duced by Senator Gregory and referred to
the committee on education, and the reso-
luton to change the name of Emma j.
Murray to Emma j. Brown was referred
to the committee on judiciary.
The Senate concurred with the House
on the passage OF resolution OF respect
lass, after which an adjournment was
taken until tomorrow.
House of Representatives.
Mr.. Fournier presented a bill for an act
to incorporate Christophe Columbie,
Order of Shepards; referred to the COM
mittee on education.
For the committee on education Mr..
Buffum recommended the passage OF the
bill in concurrence to incorporate Aquid-
neck Grange of Middletown; referred to
the committee on engrossed acts.
Mr.. Smith for the same committee re-
commended the passage Of the bill to
incorporate the North Congregational
Church; passed.
Bills to incorporate the Providence
Branch of the Re-organized Church of
Latter Day Saints and the Canonchet
Lodge, q. A. o. .. +. were referred to the
committee on engrossed acts.
The report of the Newport Historical
Society was received.
Mr.. Kimball presented bill TO incor-
porato the Studley Land Company; re-
ferred to the committee on corporations.
The bill TO incorporate the City Steam
Laundry OF Newport was passed as en-
crossed.
Mr.. Potter presented bill for an act to
incorporate the Oaklawn Free Library
Associations; referred to committee on
education.
For the Judiciary committee, Mr.. Gray
reported back bill for an act relative TO
naturalization and recommended its
passage. Passed.
Mr.. Barstow presented a joint resolu-
tion relative to the death OF Hon. Fred
erick Douglass. The resolution was read,
unanimously adopted by rising vote and
communicated to the Senate
Mr.. Lippitt for the committee on cor
porations, recommended the passage of
the bin to incorporate the Protective Mu-
tual Fire Insurance Company in concur
renee; referred to committee on engrossed
acts.
Mr.. Barstow called for the special order
OF the day, a bill for an act authorizing
the city OF Providence to condemn land
for school purposes, and moved the pas
sage OF the bill.
Mr.. Root objected to the passage of the
new bill because the authority asked for
by the city has reference to improved
land.
Mr.. Munroe opposed the measure and
styled IL as an outrage which he hoped
the State would not authorize until, at
least, the citizens OF Providence had been
affoi ded an opportunity to be heard.
MIR. Barstow and Mr.. Wilson explained
that the new bill gave the city no more
power to condemn than that held under
the existing law, but that IL merely sim
plified the process and diminished the
cost.
Mr.. Gray spoke in behalf of the COM
mittee's decision, and said that the
proposed bill was principally for the
purpose OF protecting the city in
cases where land taken is owned
in port by on-residents and clear title
is difficult TO secure. The vote was then
taken aud the substitute bill was passed
as recommended.
Mr.. Heydou presented resolution To
pay the commissioners on condemnation
OF State House land; referred TO the com
mittee on accounts and claims.
Mr.. Wilson presented n resolution in
wiling His Exccllency. the Governor, and
the Honorable Senate. to meet the
House in Grand Committee on
Thursday. February %, for the
purpose OF electing shell fish commits
sioners, a clerk OF the asst judicial dis
trict, notary public and justice OF the
peace; passed.
A bill for an act in amendment to