The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-22
THE CITY MAY.
Councilman George J. West TO The
Contrary, Notwithstanding.

There has been a great deal said about the
inspector of plumbing being the proper person
with whom plumbing plans should be filed,
and one Of tho astute Councilmen has decided
Tor himself that the city has passed an ordin-
ance amending a legislative act The city
solicitor Is thus brought into the controversy
as well, for he IL was who interpreted the law
To the city and said go ahead. On April "a,
1880, the General Assembly passed an act
Chapter 900 Section Of which gives permis-
sion to do three things. 1t is permissive act
and not compulsory. II says the City Coun-
ell may make such ordinances, rules- and
regulations respecting tho drainage and
plumbing OF all buildings hereafter erected it
also says that the city "may" provide for the
inspection of all drainage and plumbing and
in another place il says that plumbing plans
shall be filed with and approved by the in
spector Of buildings. The city has availed
itself OF tho broad scope given by the opening
limos and by the section which provides for
the inspection of plumbing and on August 4.
1893, an ordinance was approved providing
for the election Of an inspector OF plumbing
and regulating the drainage and plumbing of
buildings. This ordinance clearly states that
plumbing plans must be filed with "said in
spector, meaning, of course, the inspector of
plumbing. At the last January session of the
General Assembly Chapter 800 was amended
TO read
"Section |. The City Council OF the city OF
Providence may make such ordinances, rules
and regulations respecting the drainage and
plumbing OF all buildings hereafter erected
in the city Of Providence and respecting any
new or additional drainage and plumbing and
additions 10 and alterations OF existing
drainage and plumbing of all buildings here
tofore or hereafter erected in said city, as
said City Council may deem necessary for tho
preservation of public health. Said City
Council may provide by ordinance that no
building shall be erected in said city, and no
such drainage and plumbing, additions and al
terations shall DO constructed or made, unless
the plans of such drainage and plumbing.
additions or alterations shall conform to said
ordinances, rules and regulations, shall be
filed in the office OF the inspector hereinafter
mentioned, und shutt be approved IN writing
by such inspector. said City Council may
provide for the inspection OF all drainage
and plumbing IN said city. create the office of
inspector of plumbing and ill 1t from time to
time by the election in joint convention of
such officer for such term as said City Council
shall by ordinance prescribe, not exceeding
thTee years, anu may MI any vacancy IOf tne
current or unexpired torn. said City Council
by ordinance may impose fines for the viola
tion of any ordinance, rule or regulation
made in accordance with this act, of not
more thar twenty dollars''
Sec. 2. All acts and parts of acts incon-
sistent herewith are hereby repeated. and
This act shall take effect from and after its
passage.
Thus 1t will DO seen that the amendment
clears up good part OF the mist, and it does
not say that plumbing plans must be filed
with the inspector of buildings. but IL does
say that the inspector of plumbing is the man.
There has been considerable comment anent
Councilman Vests broad charge that the city
had been wasting tho money Inspector Bemis
has been receiving. and that he had no excuse
for being plumbing inspector. II is claimed
that Mr.. West took n mean advantage He
sprung the matter on the Council at tme
when Messrs. Parkhurst and Barney were
away and nobody understood what il all
meant, anyway. Ho knew, of course that Mr.
Parkhurst was interested in this matter, and
his haste to broach it is called ''snub" by
some.