The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-29

means OF q mechanical ds4ice which Seems
worthy of consideration ON account OF the adj
vantages IL appears 10 offer o greater economy
and the encouragement of corruption. Last
year referred 20 the improvement OF our
method Of registering voters, and 4 again urge
that the popular demand in ,his direction be
recognized. The canvassing sf voting lists IL
One OF the most vital Of the many s>yguards
adopted TO secure a fair vote IL u now on
trusted to the city and town councils and
while this uninviting task nay b. honestly
performed. yet the personal interest that tho
canvassers necess,~y have in the construc-
ton of the voting lists offers grounds for sus'
picion which should be removed. 1 think the
appointment OF canyassers by the court would
be more in Keeping with the spirit which
prompts us 70 remove all obstacles TO a free ex'
preston Of the voice of the people.
Constitutional Changes.
In my previous messages advocated specific
changes in the constitution OF the State, and
another year Of official experience has served
TO strengthen my conviction 20 their 'sira
bility. The most important of such changes
to my mind involves an extension OF the au
thority and responsibility Of the governor.
am aware that advances in that direction may
be contrary TO the spirit and tradition of tho
State. But the state today differs materially
in population, wealth and industry from the
community for whose need the present consti
tuition was framed Under the shelter Of thi
instrument there as been attached TO oui
form OF government, boards and commission.
independent Of each other and administering
their affairs subject only to the casual control
that can be given by the General Assembly
New and ever Increasing demands are made
upon the Legislative that II il impossible
that its acts can always DO the rcsult'of careful
thought and mature deliberatich. These eUn
ditions unite TO lead the State into channel. "a
expenditure that might either BE- avoided ol
judiciously curtailed, and 10 place upon tn.
statute books Legislation of an lac nplete AM
incongruous character.
lido not mean TO imply that such condition.
are familiar - this State alone, but rather e
call attention TO the fact that wailo the major
ity OF States provide for a final author ~ &c
check hasty Legislation and needless appropri-
ations, Rhode Island remains among thosl
whose systems are distinguished by an az
sence of such restriint. This distinction n
neither in agreement with the popular concep.
ton of tho executives power, nor in harm ons
with the most recently adopted instrument,
OF the peoples will 1 therefore ea reslg
urge tho promotion of an amendment to the
constitution that shall confer upon Il o gov.
ernor tho veto power
In further relation 10 the position occupied
by the executive uader our form OF gogern-
ment. again call attention TO the co1stitr
tional provision that "the governor shall take
care that the laws be faithfully executed"
stands alone, unsupported by any direction In
the constitution or statutes for the guidance
of the executive in u performance, and in it's
exercise he must depend upon privilege and
precedent TO guide him. Ad itiongl enact
ments, constitutional or statutory seem 20 he
required 70 enable the executive 10 enforce the
laws and 10 remove from public service those
who derelict or incompetent.
The constitutional provision respecting the
final canvassing of votes seems to require re-
construction with view 60 securing return.
iig board not dominated by any psrty interest
.hc grand committee boards of aldermen, and
town councils, should no longer be complies
TO perform an onerous duty which, on nc, o INT
of the partisan nature of their organizations,
often subjects them TO unjust imputations.
desirable reform may also be inaugurated by
requiring the Judiciary TO be the judge OF the
elections and qualifications Of the members OF
the General Assembly in all contested cases.
further recommend the re-subnission OF q
proro ition OF amendment providing for bi-
ennial elections of State officers and biennial
sessions of the general Assembly. Rhode
Island and Massachusetts stand alone among
the States in their adh renee 20 the antiduated
practice of annual elections, practics which
weaixens authority and discourages all Efforts
to develop and improve the public service. /
am confident that the people are now prepared
and willing to approve constitutional change
of that nat
The State House Commission has been nc-
lively engaged in securing site for. and per-
fectmg the plans of, the new state House. Tho
site selected is bounded by Smith, Francis and
Gaspee streets, in the city of Providence, a o.
Guilty that Is commonly known Smiths
Hill. The decision OF the commission in this
regard Is In harmony with the vote Of the city
council of Providence, whereby $4,000 was
appropriated for the purchase of site. A
portion OF this area has been bought for $780,
n 4
and special commissiC n IS now ascertai2ing
the damages to be awarded to the owners
thereof The commission has further decided
TO build the new capitol Of white marble. 1t is
expected that building operations win com
mence during the first half Of this year.
The new court house fer Washington County,
crested at Kingston, is completed and has
been occupied by the court Ii Is handsome
edifce and has been constructed and furnished
within the appropriation.
The Woonsccket Court House Commission
has decided upon the plans for its building,
but has net vet awarded contracts for the
work.
have received from the Commissioners Of
Inland Fisheries, Commissioners OF shell Fish
cries, COMMISSIONS Of Dams and Reservoirs,
Commissioner of Pilots and State Scatter Of
Weights. Measures and Balances. very salts
factory reports of the work performed during
the year by their respective departments.
Inc tommlSSiOnerS OF lniand fISheflcS Sug-
gest that the fishing intere SIS Of the State
could be promoted If the State would secure
some body Of water contiguous 20 the sea, that
could be opened or closed to the tide wa,er
when desired, where fsh could be fept under
natural conditions. or very near their normal
state, for the pzrpose Of propagation.
The COMMISSIONS Of b II Fisheries again
call attention 10 the rayages of star fish
among the oysters and scallops, and suggest
that tho State should Offer "A small bounty for
the destruction of this pest. TIE matter is Of
great Importance 60 the shall fish industry, for
many OF the lessces Of the state beds are con-
templatng Abandoning the business unless
some effort Is made g exterminate the star
fish. Tho revenue for the past year from
ground leased for the propag alton of oysters
was s6575
The entire work Il the revision OF the
statutes contemplated by the act creating the
Commission Of Revision il practically com
pleted and the Commission viii report at an
early day. The revision viii b. in tho form Of
single statue, divided into 25S chapters and
distributed through % titles, departing little,
II at all, from the arrangement OF the Public
Statutaa