The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-19
Councilman William Millen
Challenges c. A. Wilson.
DeclareSThat Mr.. Wilson Lives
in East Providence
Ghe Matter Explained and the Board
Will Consider.

Councilman William Millen, who
doesn't believe General Charles A. wilson
is a resident of the city, n who there
fore wants TO have his name stricken from
the voting list in the Fourth Ward, was
on hand promptly this morning, when
the board OF canvassers and registration
met for tHS purpose of giving a hearing
on the matter.
General Wilson was also present n
did not appear to be much disturbed by
the attempt to debar him from participa-
tion in the coming elections in Provi-
dence. Mr.. Miilen was the frs 10 adj
dress the Board. lie was sworn and pro-
ceeded TO state that General Wilson, al
though he had previously resided at the
N~arragansett Hotel, did not live there
now n has not for more than three
years. Furthermore, he does not reside
in the Fourth Ward and for that reason
Mr.. Mlllen contended his name should be
stricken from the voting list. All he
asked was that Mr.. Wilson should he
sworn and asked TO state whether or not
he resided in the Fourth Ward.
General Wilson was sworn aud process
ed to show what constituted a residence,
as defined by the Supreme Court in the
case of John r. G~oldsworthy, relator VS..
William u. Aldr1ch. The facts in this
case were that Mr.. Aldrloh was elected a
Der of the Town Council OF Lincoln
IN 1882 and his right TO hold b at office
was questioned on the ground that he was
not Q legal elector OF the town at the time
he was chosen. The facts disclosed were
hat six or seven years previous - the
election in question, Mr.. Aldrich, who
was a property owner and voter IN the
town, was, on account of the health OF
his wife, compelled to remove to Provi-
dence, where she received medical atten-
tion. He established a house in Provi-
dence but retained q part OF his wouse In
Lincoln ready for occupancy whenever
the state of his wife's health would war
rant his return TO II.
This return was made a short time
prior to the election at which Mr. Aldrich
was chosen a Councilman.
The court in concluding its opinion
said the word residence as used in the
Constitution was used as the equivalent
to home or domicile and was not intend
cd TO be understood in the restrictive.
sense of actual habitation or abode. Mr..
Aldrichs claim to a legal residence and
to the right to vote and 10 the office to
which he was elected was sustained.
General Wilson said this decision set
tied his right to citizenship In the Fourth
Ward. With him IL was simply n ques-
tion of Intention and his intention was
and always had been TO retain his vote
in the Fourth Ward. Previous to his
marriage he had resided in the Narragan-
sett Hotel. Returning from his wedding
journey he paid a visit to his wife's
mother In East Providence. This lady
subsequently died ana his wife desired
to remain with her sister for q time after
the family affection. lie therefore
lived in East Providence. lie never had
registered there or tried to vote. His in
tention always was TO vote in the Folrth
Ward OF this city. For 10 years he had
paid a personal property tax in the city,
which he would hardly have done had
he contemplated voting elsewhere. AL
though Ii had been his intention to re-
turn TO the. Narragansett Hotel he found
that arrangement distasteful to his wife
so he had now secured the refusal of a
residence at No. % Broadway.
This ended the Generals statement n
Mr. Millen supplemented his previous
statement by remarking that he didn't
pretend to understand teohnicalities of
Sh law, but what he woul like to know
vas WHISTLER a man who lived i'm East
Providence could legally vote in the Fourth
Wgrd of Providence.
The board took the case under consider
alton.