The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-28
Mr. Freeman Will Fight
for Appropriation.
It is for Proposed Improve
ment of Aliens Avenue.
No Report to Be Made Tonight on
Revision of City Charter.

Councilman Freeman is going to make
his last fight tonight as chairman OF the
Joint committee on highways and will call
from the table the resolution to sppro-
priste $4,000 for work on Aliens avenue.
His argument will be that the sppropri-
stion would furnish the means for giving
work to the unemployed during hard
winter and q repetition Of the hight OF
several weeks ago is an assured feature
for the last session of the Council. Inc
opposition to the resolution Will come
from Mr.. Gardner and members OF the
finance committee and will consist OF
statistics and figures TO show that the
city cannot afford to expend the money.
II was on this same question during
previous discussion that councilman
Kelleher made hit In opposition to the
energetic tighter from the sixth Ward
and as he W will make mis- farewell appear
ance this evening as an ordinance iramer
it is expected that he will seize the OPP
portunIty to retire with flying colors.
-
Chairman Freeman said today: II am
going to call that resolution up and let
them knock 1t Gown il they want to-"
He is also going to ask for the transfer
of s25, 600 TO the highway appropriation
The mmittee on ordinances will re-
port back the Fire Department bill,
which was referred at the last session OF
| the Aldermen. 1t is as follows;
"The board of fire commissioners are
hereby authorized to allow to members OF
the fire department absent from duty on
| account Of injuries received while en-
| gagged in actual fire service such sums,
during the continuance of their disable
| ity, as said board cf fire commissioners
may in each case determine, The same I"
be charged to the appropriation for the
fire department; provided, however, that
in no case shall the amount allowed
weekly to each member, exceed the
amount Of compensation now paid weekly
10 firemen of the first grade"
From the city solicitor Is to come an
ouinion relative to the rights of the
Conncil 10 remit taxes and the question
which should lie considered by the COM
nittee on claims in recommending such
remissions.
Chairman Gardner Of the special com
mission ON revision of the city charter
will make no report tonight. 1t Is proba'
ble. however, that tho subcommittee on
draft will report to the full commission
this week or next. and some time In Jan
nary a partial report will be made to tho
Council, together with request that the
committee be continued.
There is one provision IN the proposed
charter for Greater. New York which is o.
interest to Providence and all other towns
where there is, or has reen, tendency Il
annoy public officers by investigation
pased upon trumped up charges. 1t Is al
follows:
"Tbe board of estimate and apportion
ncent is to ba constituted like the exist
ing board, except that the president Of tn
Council is substituted for tina president O
the Board OF Aldermen.
"The board is uthorized to audit AM
allow any claim against the city for rea
} sonabio costs and counsel fees paid or In
Cured by any commissioner, city magis
} trate or police justice who shall hav
been a successful party in any proceed
ings or trial to remove him from otnce @
who shall bring or defend an action Q
: proceeding in which the question OF hi
: title 10 off Is i'm any way presented CT In
: yoived, or In which it is sought to convic
0 bim or to remove or prohibit any such RI
I moval from Office or to obtain po'
. session of his Office. This provision is {
) special interest to the fifteen old polio
r ios,ices who we're legislated out {
! ofiice.'
' Such a provision In the Provident
a charter would assure the payne Mt of II
y costs imposed upon the license co N
o missioners and the city engineer in d
: Tending themselves against charg
r which the city council has subsequent
;, declared to have been groundless.
e The petition of the license commi
It sioners fer payment Of counsel fees
still pending before the committee
= claims and has never been put to vot
% City Engineer shedd who was deiend'
70 by Attorney David 3. Baker and sxone
d ated by the Board of Aldermen has n
presented any bill.
MIR. shedd said today, speaking
general principles and not particular
=. In relation to his own case, that sucn
;. cost imposed upon public officer Is l
cidentei to his position and Is
!. CURED by him only IN DIS capael
N asa city Official and therefore the ci
=, should back him up II the fslsity OF
a. ebargea Is shown.
NJ CITY Ausiior Cnace thinks that such
n expense sbould very properly be borne
's tho city. although he would suggest ii
W an official under investigation should
n first authorized to hire counsel before
curing the bill.