The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-14
THE VALLEY PARK.
Pawtuxet Villages Interested
in Association Affairs.
Stock Holders Meet--Measures Adopted
TO Continue the Organization.

The Pawtuxet Valley Association dies
hard, and it apparently took new lease
OF life at the meeting OF the stockholders
last evening.
The meeting did not, as was expected,
decide the fate of the association de-
finitely and the ice of indifference, which
has for some time enyeloped the associa-
tion, was broken, and at last practical
move was made toward paying the debts
OF the association, keeping up the organ
ization, and holaing another fair. Ihe
meeting was somewhat different from
some OF its predecessors in that the stock
holders present were not, with one or
two exceptions. those who have heretofore
been drawn to the meetings through
curiosity or desire 10 kick and make
themselves generally disagreeable, but
those who were really interested In the
welfare OF the association. The meeting
was seversal times enlivened by spirited
ana sarcastic passages between some OF
the speakers, and at one time the remarKs
became so personal that the chairman
was Obliged 10 call the speakers to order.
The meeting was called for o'clock,
but at that time there was but round
dozen of the stockholders in the hall.
They sa. around the large stove in the
corner and discussed everything but the
affairs OF the association, and feeling OF
expectancy and gloom seemed TO pervade
the air. Once in a while tie door would
open crack, and then, after peeking
into the hall and taking account OF stock,
another member of the association
would enter and solemnly take his seat.
An oil lamp burned dimly in the outside
hail, at the head of the stairs, and when
the meeting was called to order 1t had
apparently become discouraged and was
on the verge of going out entirely.
About $3.50 O'Clock DIR. a. w. Calvin ar
rived and for time entertained the
group around the stove with an account
of the Baker-Cooke libel suit and then
the meeting was called to order by Charles
Il. Hill Mr.. Hill stated his reasons for
calling the meeting and said that as 1t
had been found impossible to get enough
of the board OF directors together to or
ganize he had decided TO again place the
affairs of the association in The hands of
the tockholders. He then asked for an
expression OF opinion as TO what course 1t
stances. MIR. Hills speech was followed
by long silence only broken by the
buzz of the polechanger in the telephone
exchange next door and then ex-Treasurer
Potter. asked IL any money had been col
lected since the last meeting. No one
knew of any ana then DIR. Colvin wanted
to know how much money remained in
ically "three cents" and the lamp in the
hall became oishear.ened and went out
entirely.
There were about twenty persons In the
hall at this time and all looked discour-
aged. DIR. Colvin then stated that the in
surance on the park property was made
payable to the treasurer OF the assoc tion
instead OF the mortgages and wanted II
changed. He was Immediately appointed
a committee to have il done and then he
spoke to some length on the condition
and prospects of the association aud did
not think that IL was possible TO continue
the organization.
He was followed by Joseph Congdon,
who did not agree with the Doctor, anc
impugned his motives In rather sarcastic
md forcible terms. Or. Colvin imme
diately started to reply and the debat,
became so personal that Chairman Hill
was obliged to interfere. This bit OF ex'
citement seemed to arouse the stock
holders from their legarthy and speeches
were made by several, some against try.
ing to continue the organization.
Ex-Postmaster boucbard and Joseph X.
Flanagan were in favor of keeping uI
the association and beside expressing
their reasons offered to do ell in then
power toward it. After Mr.. Flanagan had
finished speaking DR.. Colvin saia that he
knew of three men who had endorsed the
they were willing to give 800 each II any
one would take their places and IL MIR
Flanagan wished to speculate it was gooc
chance. Mr.. Flanagan replied that it was
and If the doctor would produce the men
he would relieve them of their RESPONSE
bilities. This was greeted with applaus,
end then after a few more speeches Il
was decided to make an attempt TO rails,
enough money by subscription to pay
the present indebtedness of about $1,000
After more lively and sarcastic soaring
between DIR. Colvin, III. w. Potter anC
j. Q. Conley a committee, consisting OF
J. G. Conley, w. j. Gregory, l.. p. Rose
Joseph Bouchard and Allan A. Campbell
was appointed to solicit money for tha
purpose, and nearly 500 was Immediately
subscribed by the stockholders present.
The meeting then adjourned to meet Al
the call of the subscription committee
1t is the opinion OF the more conserva
tive mem bers that the money can be rails
ed without difficulty and that If the rett,
jealousies and quarrels which have'here
tofore existed among the members ar,
suppressed the association can be pulled
out OF its present financial difficulties anc
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