The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-13
Politics Warming to the
CONFUSION Point.
No Town in the State Is Hav-
ing So Much Fun.
The Present Situation In the Process
Of Evolution.

There are four distinct schemes, all OF
which have strong advocates: City charter
ties, who wish to have the town Of Grams
ton assume a city form of government;
the present form OF government has a fol-
lowing; the separate district advocated in
Edgewood and Pawtuxet and in Auburn
the first two places advocating a sepa-
rate district for Edgewood and Pawtuxet,
and Auburn striving for a like form OF
government; last in the order of origina-
tion Is a scheme to have the annual tinan-
ciai town meeting vote all appropriations
in a bulk, and have a Council consisting
of 10 members dispense all-legislative and
executive business for the town.
Those in favor OF city form of govern
ment say that with a Common Council, a
Board OF Aldermen and a Mayor, there
will be three entirely separate bodies
through which every measure will have TO
pass tefore it Is a law. These advocates
claim that under this form of government
legislation must nee Is be pure, as no
clique can control all three.
The opposition TO this measure say that
the party that controls one OF these bod
les will inevitably control all three OF
then, and that we shall have no safe
guard against unjust appropriations and
legislation.
The city question was defeated by a
vote OF the people last spring. The advo-
cate, e. ect TO bring the question before
the PEG. ie again, next spring.
Another class, apparently small In num-
bers. say that the criticisms on the pres
ent form Of government are unjust, that
we have as nearly a pure democracy as we
can have.
Edgewood and Pawtuxet took the mi
tial step in advocating, unanimously, for
themselves, a separate district, similar
to that of Narragansett.
These people claim thatpin proportion
to their size they have "A very much larger
property valuation than any other part of
the town, and that they get a compare
lively small proportion of the expended
money. They say that with a separate
district they can have all the advantages
of a city, with a smaller tax rate than
they have now.
Auburn, which has been I'm close alliance
with Edgewood, says that II is selfish move
to set herself apart from the rest of the
town; ihat she (Auburn) has always re-
manned close TO Edgewood and wishes to
do so now; that even though there is a
light burden for all to carry, we should
follow the moral precept: "Bear each
Others burders.p
Auburn wishes a city charter, but IL
that is not ottainable, a separate district
charter will be sought for.
The citizens OF Auburn voted that they,
too, will apply to the General Assembly
for a district charter.
The west end-7Arlington, Cranston
and knightsville-is willing that Edge
wood and Pawtuxet have a separate dis
trict.
Edgewood and Pawtuxet say first and
last, Separate district"
Auburn says, First a city charter, last
q separate district
Many people think that the General As
sembly will say as the affectionate father
aaiH "A hon ogLad NV a largo son for n doll
lar, and at the same time bv a small son
for the same amount: circumstances
will not permit me to give each Of you a
dollar, SO, in order not TO be partial, L
shall be ( creed TO refuse both of your
The last effort on the part OF Auburn to
make a compromise with Edgewood INT
Pawtuxet proved a failure, and only
strengthened the stand taken by the lat
ter two.
The General Assembly will meet again
In April The next financial town meet
ing will be held April 20; 30 that no
change can be made soon enough TO avoid
all meeting once more IN annua, financial
own meeting.
In view OF the fact hat no change can
be made in town government before the
time for holding the annual financial
meeting, it is proposed to have no appro-
priations made at this meeting except
those that must OF necessity be made, viz. /:
School appropriations and necessary funds
for street lights and sa aries of town off,
GERS. This plan is likely to receive bitter
opposition.
1t is evident that town politics are in a
stormy condition. All storms, whether
in nature or in politics, have their effects;
accordingly, some change may be expect
ed to grow out OF all the turmoil.
The pupils AZ the five schools of this
place, together with a large number of
parents ana friends, observed Lincoln's
birthday with appropriate exercises.
Never have the parents and pupils Of
this scheolbeen treated to o more inter-
esting, more surprising and more highly
entertaining discourse than that delivered
by the orator of the day, Mr.. Hollis Nj.
Coombs of Arlington.
Chief Of police John Bigbee and Mr..
Patrick Mclaughlin gave interesting talks
In two of the rooms.
Miss Mary Walker, teacher OF music.
executed a piano solo OF rare excellence.
A shingle from a house in which Lin
coin NICE lived and a piece of granite
from the tomb OF Lincoln were curiosi-
ties donated by Mr.. Edward stanley.
Narragansett Park fence has been much
damaged bv the storms of late.
''Better Than Goldn is announced as the
next drama TO be given by the Cranston
Dramatic Club.
The annual financial town meeting for
April20 is now n certainty.
kNIGHTSVlLLE.
The schools here devoted yesterday af-
ternoon to "Flag Day" exercises. A
special program consisting OF patriotic
songs and readings by the pupils consti-
tuted the exercises.
Judge John Palmer and Committeeman
Ross addressed the children I'm an interest
ing and appropriate manner A drill by
a number OF boys with mock guns was
n unique and interesting part Of The en-
t~ertainment.