The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-27
The Election Bill Gets a
Black Eye.
Citizens Protest Against Un-
warranted Interference.
Providence Must Be PrOIecred From
the Bnwisc Politicians.

There mas gone up a cry against the
action OF the Legislature in trying 10 join
State and city elections. 1t began this
morning, when Hon. Thomas W. Bick-
nell, whose blood was boiling called a
meeting Of the directors OF the Beacon
Hill Improvement ASSOCIATION, OF which
body he Is president to pass resolution
TO protest and also plan for general
meeting this evening at which the MEM
hers OF the association, various citizens
leagues and the public generally may en-
phasize their sentiments. The Beacon
Hill improvement directors met in Mr..
Bicknell' 3 Office at 10 O'Clock and passed
the following resolution:
"The directors of the Beacon Hill I'm
provement Association, acting for the as
sociation. enter its earnest and solemn
protest against the proposed action of the
General Assembly in uniting the muni-
cipsl and federal elections on the same
day, and urge our representatives in the
General Assembly to use their influence
and their votes against this measure.
The reasons for this resolution are first,
that the measure destroys the identity
OF tie municipal election and over
shadows the business interests of the
city by the national political interests
which have no relation to each other.
"All municipal movements OF modern
times are founded on the principle Of di-
vorcing municipal and national politics,
and no city in the country establishes a
precedent for such action as now pro-
posed.
Hardly was this meeting over before
another was beid in room Il, Narragan-
sett Hotel at 12 o'clock.
Republic Goo Coos, and Democrats
had joined hands ana like the lion and
gk..n a.
were "a of them, with the balance of
power in favor OF the Goo Coos. The
gentlemen were very much in earnest and
their talk was apparently sincere. They
protested against what they called un-
warranted interference, dangerous and
uncalled for legislation, and Ills Honor
Mayor McGuinness called attention to the
fact that the statute TO the effect that
legislation affecting city or town should
be known before hand, was ignored.
Councilman N. III. freeman named
Thomas w. Bicknell a chairman and he
was elected by acclamation. he chair
man explained the objects OF the meet
ing, which were tho some as embodied Ia
resolution fasseA At the meeting held in
his Office q short tive before. lie said the
city was ignored how as IL had been be-
foe and the legislation now pending was
long stride in the wrong direction.
This legislation was for the politician
sno In opposition TO the business inter-
ests of the city and vicinity.
MIR. &. II. Philbrick was elected secre-
tary of the meeting without opposition,
and then the real sentiments of GIl hands
were ventilated in the applause bestowed
upon the sentiments expressed 10y the
several speakers.
MIR. Samuel Ames suggested that resolu-
tions of protest ought To be drawn up for
presentation TO the Legislature. This did
not ruffie the general harmony, ana
Nhos lob lr D
j. w. Vernon and Mr.sam BULLOCK as the
committee. They worked at the round
table.
His Honor, the Mayor. made a straight
forward ana conservative address at this
point. He regretted that affairs had
taken such an unexpected turn. II was
unnecessary interference by the Legisla.
ture. Ii was the most backward step
possible. IL was law not anIicipa,ed or
asked for by anyone whose Interests were
affected. There could be but one reason.
and that was partizanship. The very on,
posite idea should ptev.il to Improve
municipal government.
Councilman Truman followed and sroke
In the same vein. The contemplated
change was unjust to the city. He also
kicked against closing the polls at 3
o'clock.
President Alfred Dawson OF the Rhode
Island Citizens League, in behalf OF what
he represented. also kicked against the 8
o'clock poll closing business.
Mr.. Ames gave expression to the sur
prise, CONSERVATION and establishment
brought about by such arbitrary legisla.
ton. ...
T.. III. Mulholland expatiatei on the
threatening aspect and sat down in his
corner again.
Councilman Sturgess wanted to go on
record as in sympathy with the resolu-
tions.
The following were the resolutions
passed:
Whereas, We understand that action il
contemplated by the General Assem- bly
providing for holding our municipal cleo
ito, vt the same time with the presi-
dental elections;
Now, therefore, we do earnestly protest
against such action and rtqu st the mem
bers of tie Legislature rt, ssenting the
city to vigorously oppose the proposed
legislat ion as being contrary to the best
interests OF the city and to the wishes of
the citizens.
Resolved, also, That our representatives.
be requested 20 use their influence against
early closing of the polls.
Mr.. Alfred Stone said that he did not
know what the proposed legislation
meant and stood in opposition 10 any
change.
MIR. Vernon remarked that u seemed Z,
him to be the final struggle OF the worst
element In politics. This Is something
that endangers our INSTITUTIONS
Charles Cottonseed Nichols thought be
could see that legislators were paving
tn, way toward revolution OF the people,
etc.
AT this point in the proceedings some
one sugg' sted that 10 do nnv good the
resolutions passed by the meeting ought
10 be sent o Newpart by telegraph. Ii
was said hat II would cost 20 and tho
hat vas passed around and the meeting
Adjourned.
Sir. bicknell stated that city sollcitor
Colw II nsd gone to Newport 10 see what
could be done 10 "beid OF" any further
Veg islaiion in the matter.