The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-25
Summary of Business in
the Assembly.
First of the Session Charac-
terized by Industry.
Important Bills That Have Passed
and Those Still Pending.

Considering that there are but four days In
Legislature have made a oreditabie show Of
industry since the January session opened
last Tuesday.
Contrary TO custom, tho members got down
TO business on the first day and kept 10 up,
with the result that the sessions have been
worth attending. Several important measures
have been introduced. debated and disposed
OF, and there are others pending for consid-
Grafton next week. T:iviaities have not been
very much in evidence-the Assembly has
only been called upon twice to change names
OF individuals. and the bills to incorporate
substantial business conserns have been mucn
more humorous than tho petition for charters
for song ard dance and social clubs. Alto
eether the session. SO far. has been Of such a
character that the civil government classes Of
the public schools might have attended with
profit and without danger of losing the re-
spect for legislative bodies, which the serious
lines of the text books are supposed TO arouse.
The Governors message was. Of course. the
FIRST thing of Importance, and IL was consid-
cred so important, especially by the Senators.
that n joint resolution was introduced In the
upper branch to appoint a special committee
Y " tOnblucT y nnduClAi WhfnlbE hnu sukkcs'
tions. This was Immediately acted upon and
three Of the leading Senators appointed by
the Governor. Down stairs the interest
seemed TO be lukewarm. Speaker Allen put
off appointing the House members until tho
last day Of the week, and then picked out four
men who do not pretend to be fnanciers. and
ignored the members who would naturally DO
associated with the trio Of Senator'S. Cover
- II. - 49, l..
thought Of the Speakers appointments, and
be replied that the authority OF the House is
absolute. and that no did not care TO criticize
any action which IL might take.
On the second day, four Providence bills
were introduced in the House and are now in
the hands of the judiciary committee.
The city of Newport has been granted au-
thority TO deveolp It's public school system by
acquiring land for new buildings. The city
OF woonsocket has asked for an act which
will create a board Of public works, and both
branches have passed a bill. the effect Of
which is to straighten out the boundary lines
Of the city OF Central Falls.
The finance committee has under considera.
tion the annual appropriation bill, a resolu-
tion adding $4,000 to the appropriation for
the completion Of the State census and n
RESOLUTION 10 appropriate enough money 70
complete the court house Mt Woonsooket.
Two bills, one in the Senate and one in the
House, havo been introduced 10 establish some
fixed system and rule of voting TO govern
caucuses, and the meetings of political com
mittees, and they are now in tho hands Of the
two judiciary committees. Both OF these bills
were presented by Providence members, Sen
ator Woods and Represontatiy e Kimball.
An acknowledgement has been elected in
Grand Committee. and the Senate has con-
frmod two executive appointments to the
State Board OF Charities and Corrections.
The House passed on Friday a most inn
portant bill, relative TO the right Of summon
ing witnesses across the State line. by which
Rhode Island places horself in n reciprocal
attitude toward Massachusetts and Connecti-
cut and two other equally Important matters
from the came source. the judiciary commit
tee. are the special orders for next Tuesday.