The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-21
COMMON COUNCIL.
Ordinances to Have Two
Readings After This.
Last Nights Meeting Brief and But Little
Business Done.

ana adjourned at $3.50 O'Clock without
hsyiug accomplished much that was
startling. MIR. West had his way twice
ana Was happy.
Councilman Gardner Tor the Joint COM
satttee on ordinances reported back TWO
resolutions relative to rules OF order ana
they we're inoehuitoly postponed and
rubstitufe ordinance adopted amending
the rules Of order by adding sections 10
and IL. 20 prcwce for tWo readings of
AL ordinances the second al ~ bsequent
meeting, ana fos al committees to give
three Gayr' notice Of oil ordinances to be
recommended TO the Council The COM
rnittee reported that the general statutes
urovided regulations ior fire works and
crackers and the Board OF Altorpen regu-
lste their sale. No action was deemed
necessary on tie ordinance reforred to the
committee at the past meeting.
IL was recommended that sealer OF
weights and measures Pettis' petition TO
have his olic and acts investigated be
adopted and joint special committee,
comprising Messrs. Tanner, Grinnell,
Metcalf and Trask, be appointed.
The Joint committee on finance sub
mitted its monthly report and on its re-
commentator John Bucklin's petition
for an increase OF salary was indefinitely
postponed.
The same committee reported favorably
on the request of the board of canvassers
and registration for increased clerical
hire at an expense not exceeding $1,000,
but at the request of Mr.. WSst ii was
postponed until next meeting. He said
that ever since he had been in the Coun-
ell the board had been asking for more
help
On recommendation OF the committee
on printing iswss voted to order printed
7b0 extra copies of the appendix to city
engineers report of 1888 and charge to
the appropriation for city engineers de-
partment.
Mr.. Kendrick submitted the report OF
the railroad terminal facilities committee,
and for the joint standing committee a
report on underground wires for the
police and fire departments.
On motion of Councilman West 1t was
voted to have printed and distributed the
report on terminal facilities, 1t having
been stated by Mr.. Kendrick that as
/, Chairman William r. Vaughan of that
com mittee was present, he would un.
dou btedly be glad to answer any ques-
tions. No questions were asked, how
ever.
Councilman freeman for the committee
on city engineers department presented
q resolution authorizing the occupation
with a structure OF portion of the Mo-
shassuck river formerly leased by the
New York, New Haven & Hartford Rail
road Company.
This was intended, no said, 10 establish
the claims to the property over which
there has been a difference for a lonl
time. The resolution was adopted.
On motion OF Councilman Burdick
there was taken from the able the report
of the commissioner OF public works re
lative to petition Of the New England
Printing Telegraph Company to main
tain and use poles and wires In certain
streets; and also recommending a resolu
tion providing that the city take posses
siou OF certain poles and wires for The us,
of the fire department. The report sets
forth that the company had sold out and
the fire department has used them fol
years. They are on Gaspee, Promenade,
senter, Smith, Candsce, Admiral, Haw
kins, and Charles streets and Douglas
avenue.
The Nixon Telephone is understood
to have bought them and is desirous oi
using them, but do not care to spenc
money on them IL the city is to confiscatt
them. IL Is an old fight.
Councilman West thought. the matter
ought to be referred back to committe,
and public hearing ordered and be sc
moved. II the report should be adopted
and the poles and wires taken possession
of the Councilman was not sure but that
the city would lay itself liable.
Mr.. Burdick heartily seconded the idel
of giving hearing.
Mr.. Gardner failed TO sec the necessity
for a public hearing, as he could not SO,
how the public could be interested. Mr.
Gardner went on to explain how tn,
"comedy Of errors" started with a wes
Virginia company under the name OF New
England Telegraph Printing Company
came here and got permission 20 erect
poles ss the New England Printing Tele
graph Company, a corporation that neve
existed went 10 Massachusetts, and &C
quired similar rights and the West Vir
ginia Company failed aud the Nixon Tele
graph Company came into possession O
the poles and wires. lie failed TO see VIII,
the city should try TO take advantage, b,
technical error, OF company. or VIII
it should not use il like any other com
pany. lie favored postpcning indefinitel,
the resolution :ocUmmended ana the adop
tion OF an ordinance In amendment grant
ing similar rights TO the Massachusetts
corporation, still in force
Mr. West thought the gentiemna's re
marks the strongest reason for having
clear understanding of the r1stter.
Mr. Vests motion was adopted. MIR
Gardnerig Aubsfitutc order yas aisr -,