The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-25

More interviews on the Ques-
tiOn Of Annexation.
sHE NEWS BuHRAu, oLsEyvILLK,
No. !. Hartford Avenue.

n1ie afc elshI more, indNlhs iAh inS
last footing look lnJo account lO1 opiL-
ions. The result Of the Ill now slAds:
AZ favor annexation.
~ are satisfied with present conditions.
10 favor fire district.
IL are IN doubt.
9want 10 see the town divided; and
suggests an Improvement district.
Total III.
he annexationists claim, with reason,
hat while they have not got majority,
thst vote, II taken, Tor and against an
nexation, the doubtful and scattering
vote would give them big plurality, and
perhaps II IL actually came TO the test a
pslorlty.
By the way, does anybody know what
the vote rs4hlred 10 decide would have TO
he? majority, plurality, iwo-thirds
or what? Or would the town councii 1x
that IN he warrant or be town meeting
called To decide the question?
Here are the latest interviews:
Why Not Absorb the Whole State.
James Louis Pettis--I think the coun-
try towns OF the State have an interest in
this annexation question. Prevalence IL
ambitious not 20 be the second, but the
first city IN New EDgfNud.
III has already succeeded In concentrating
very large portion OF the wealth and
population OF the Stale within its limits,
and II II could have lrs way, iG would annex
the Wealthy portion OF Johnston, CraDston,,
East Providsncs, the city OF Pawtucket,
Central Ealis gtid all other districts worth
taking and il ii could succeed in having
its representation in the General Assem-
by bAsed on its population, the whole of
Rhode Stand would be under the control
OF one corporation and Providence would
have the undisputed control OF the Gen.
eraI Assembly and of the representations
OF the State IN the Government at Wash
ington, and with the rest OF the State
under It's feet, il would indeed be the hrst
city in New England.
Other states have large cities located in
different sections, that are able to hold
each other in check, but 1t is not 90
here, and IL the country towns would look
after their best interests instead OF annex
ing territory to Providence they would
annex the Tenth Ward to North Provi-
dence, and another portion to Pawtucket
and try TO even up the balance OF power
and not allow one corporation to over
shadow all the rest and be what Mayor
Olney calls the greater Providence.
That Providence would not be slow TO
take advantage of Its power and sacrifice
the interests Of the co0ntry towns to its
own advancement is evident from the
disposition IL has shown to sacrifice the
manufacturing and farming interests OF
the Pawtuxet Valley in order to benefit
itself In the way OF pure water, and from
the manner IL mas kickcu ior years ugainst
paying its share of the State tax,
and its taxes in Cranston, and
also from its desire to have all
the business of the State concentrated
in the city OF Providence, even begrudg-
ing Newport the honor of having the May
session Of the State Legislature and the
Governor take his seat in that city.
III the people OF the State wish to come
under the guardianship of the city OF
Providence. all they have got to 10 is to
let that city have lis own way, and It will
soon become an accomplished fact.
Wants the Hill.
Harvey Horton-Run the line east of
Neutakonkanut Hill and j favor snnexa-
tion. Don't take the hill away from the
town.
In Doubt.
Oscar Stehfest-Am not very well in
formed and am undecided which would be
the best for the town.
Charles j. McCarty-Annexation is my
idea of the proper thing thing for us to
bring about.
Wants Sewers, Anyway.
Simon s. Page--Do not know what to
say on the matter; in many ways we would
receive benefits by annexation. Ii we
ever expect to have any sewers we shall
have to become part OF Providence.
Satisfied.
BENJAMIN b. Stone-As we are is salts
factory to me. Don't think we can gain
anything by becoming part OF Provi-
dence.
VIII Vote to Annex.
John walsh--I favor and should vote
for annexation.
Favors Annexation.
Walter s. Bromell-I have worked for
annexation IN years past but am letting
the younger men interest themselves now
in the matter.
Fire District Mass Meeting.
The mass meeting called TO discuss the
proposition of fire district improvement
was largely attended last evening, and
much interest was manifested.
The general drift Of sentiment was to-
ward annexation. Most Of the speaking
was done by members Of the citizens
committee who seem to have been con-
vinced that Johnston should annex to the
city. Figures were presented to substan-
tiate their convictions.
Willis w. Fiske presided and Frank III.
Spratt was secretary. MIR. Fiske spoke OF
reduced rates OF insurance, and the make
up of fire department OF sufficient ca
pacity.
John +. Bowen spoke of the lines OF the
proposed fire district, and quoted the val
uation OF town and city.
VI. B. Wood spoke Of the need of some
thing beside volunteer department. lie
referred i'm clear way to the relative diff
ference between town and city taxes, and
the public debt of the two sect ions.
George Il. A. Beane stated that he came
to hear the report OF the committee and
get light on,the question. "The city has
invited US to come; our country friends
say 90. Now IL remains to be seen what
Is for the best. / am interested on the
question Of where the line Is to run.
Thornton may want to go with us IL we
are annsxed and perhaps larger portion
OF Manton."
Robert Melvin and Andrew Winsor ad-
vocated annexation and remarks were
made by William T.. Martin, A. w. Smith,
Walter l. Barnes and q. Walter Davis in
a non com initial vein.
II was voted to ask the Council to ap-
point a committee to confer with n com
miitce from the City Council in regard 10
an act of annexation,