The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-27
THE ASSEMBLY OF 'o4-95.

AnL ASoEM Dill VI pt- UO.
The General Assembly, which deco
rously passed away on Saturday last,
deserves red-lettered place in the State
annals. IL was distinguished for the high
character and dignity of its personnel, the
amount of useful and wholesome legisla-
tion enacted, and the fairness and honesty
which characterized its deliberations
and work. Not for fifty years
has Rhode Island had a General
Assembly in which the minority was so
weakly represented, numerically speak
ing, as the last one, in which there
were 104 Republicans to five Democrats.
The perils which threaten any legislative
body SO heavily partisan are shown by
the record of the late United States
Congress. Yet SO well balanced by in
tegrity, intelligence, and loyalty was
the late General Assembly that it can
be reproached with no suggestion of
corruption, or vicious legislation, or
overbearing action.
The News is not necessarily prepared
to place its word of commendation upon
all that has emanated from this General
Assembly, no more than the members
themselves were able to agree upon all
the measures adopted. Yet we are con-
vinced that the majority has in all cases
sought that which they believed to be
for the highest good of the State.
1t would require several columns to
detail the long list of laws, resolutions
and charters that are the work of the
late General Assembly, but there are
several which are of such vital impor-
tance and SO large in their general bene-
ficent influence that they will give the
General Assembly that adopted them a
remarkable distinction. OF these,
the biennial election amendment
to the Constitution is, perhaps,
the most conspicuous, although
perhaps the measures for the improve
ment Of the highways may claim equal
importance with it. In recent years
other General Assemblies have coveted
the distinction of having originated such
measures, but have always been held
back. The laws are not all that could
be desired, yet they are more than had
been expected.
The completion and passage Of the
work of the commission on the revision
of the statutes is another distinctive
mark of this General Assembly. This
work has hung like a nightmare over
legislators for several years past. No
compilation of the public laws had
been made since 1882, therefore the
present work will be heartily welcomed
by those whose business compels them
to turn often to the laws of the State.
The successful adoption of this compil-
alton and revision was only accom-
plished after many days of patient plod-
ding, self-sacrihcing work on the part of
the members of the joint special COM
mittse to whose consideration it was in
trusted. In itself it is work which
my General Assembly might be proud
Of having accomplished.
Other important legislation passed
relate to ithe regulation of the business
OF foreign surety companies and build
ing and loan associations, the abolition
OF three days of grace, creating stand
ard form Of insurance policy, estab-
fishing the city of Central Falls, regulat-
ing display of foreign flags on school
buildings, establishment of n board of
registration for the City of Providence,
repeal of the pool-selling law, and the
act regulating the practice of medicine.
1t may appear at first sight as if the
appropriations have been somewhat ex-
travagant, but the finance committees
have kept their minds on the State treas
ury and know that they have not ex-
pended as much as the estimated income.
Many of the small items of expenditure
could, perhaps, have been done without.
but In body where all legislation must
De the result of compromise and
mutual considerations and concessions
this cannot be avoided aud will
be a feature Of all sessions until the
Governor secures the veto power. What
has been voted will be used for public
purposes. and indirectly will be Of gene
raj benefit, as it finds its way back again
into the pockets of our citizens. The
two principal appropriations. sIOO 600
for the Providence Armory, and $780,
900 for the new Normal School, are un-