The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-15
ASSEMBLY.
Continued from Page ~

view of almost the entire city of
Providence and many miles of Nara
gsnsett Bay. The city Of Providence pur-
chased and gave to the State by virtue oil
the action described In our last report,
454, ,S3S square feet OF this area. On careiui
consideration, after visiting tine
grounds with the architects, your board
decided to obtain the balance OF this area
that the State House might stand on top
OF the hill, and that the State might con-
troll all within said streets, thus pre-
venting In the future the efec-
ton OF other structures which
would Interfere with the view OF the state
House and detract from the dignity which
should characterize such an edihce. Inc
property bought by the city was pur-
| chased at about AZ cents q foot, and was
taxed by the city at a little over 80 cents
foot. 1t laid between the two remaining
| portions OF said area, and your ooara
therefore felt confident that q reasonable
advance on this price could purchase the
| balance OF the land. In attempting 10
| purchase, however, 1t was found that
whilo certain owners were ready TO sell at
a reasons BILE price, Others demanded sum
which IL was not deemed wise to pay
| Therefore your Board decided 10
condemn said remaining portions under
the power given it by said Chapter lzoi,
and commenced proceedings for this pur-
pose.
"Mr. Gardner G. Sims, Mr.. J. Edward
Studley and Mr.. Addison q. Fisher were
appointed q commission to appraise this
damages sustained by any person whose
property, interest, or right OF property
shall have been taken.
"a large number of hearings were
held, at which the interests of State we're
ably represented by Attorney General
Edward Z. Dubois and each owner OF land
was represented by counsel. This COM
mission subsequently made their re-
port, awarding as damages for the
land and buildings taken, the sum oil
1913, ,O57.34. AS this amount was more
than twice what the property could have
been purchased for by the board, an sp-
peal from the award was taken and is
now pending In the Supreme Court.
"When your Board attempted to locate
the departments of the State in the state
House, they found that the building, "a
originally planned, was too small for the
present existing needs, and 1t was
necessary to add about ot
feet to its length. This re-
quired O redrawing Of all the plans and
some changes in the exterior, which your
board feels has improved its appearance
The plans and specifications are now
ready for contractors; bids have been In
vited and work will be begun as soon al
possible.
"There has been expenped to date ol
this report the sum Of $40, ,93S.79. The con-
tracts entered into by the board whicf
are now outstanding, are with the archi'
, tects, McKim, Mead Il White, and witt
, Professor s. III. Woodbridge, the
, expert on heating and ventilation
, All Of which In respectfully submitted b,
D the board OF State House commissioners
"HERBERT w. LADD,
president OF said board and for said boar'
for this purpose duly authorized"
Highway Improvement Recommended
+ Mr.. Wilson also presented the report o
i the Joint special committee, appointed
Q April 26, 1892, to investigate the matter o
improved highways. Ii Is an exhaustiv
account of the work done by the commit
tee, showing the present poor condition
OF the state roads, the causes thereof, an
making many recommendations for i'm
provement.
Accompanying the reports were thre
: bills for acts as follows: To regulate th
> width OF tires In proportion TO th
- weight of wagon and load, for the main
tenance Of highways and bridges, anc 10
the improvement OF the principal high
. ways throughout the State and the en-
T. couragement of better methods OF roa
= making.
: A resolution to allow certain claims c
- members of the late Fourth Regimen
\ Rhode Island Volunteers was passed
- concurrence.
= Upon accommodation OF the commit
~ tee on corporations bills to incorpora'
IL the Provident Security Company and
amend the charter OF the Prov
dence Dyeing, Bleaching & Calenderin
Company were passed.
n. The bill for an act to regulate the prac
tice of medicine was passed as engrosse
The report of the committee on Sta
p. armory in Providence, presented yeste
ry day, was referred to the finance commi
tee.
Other matters were introduced and r.
ceived from the Senate and referred.
~. The House adjourned at 2 o'clock.