The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-09

American cltlZensblp sNo hah WIZ
does not speak our language. ana who IL not
sufficiently acquainted with 1t to be able to
read ara understand our fundamental law
ought TO he admitted to citizenship. There
Is ignorance enough to contend with and
troll on the part Of those upon whom citizon-
ship has already been conferred without in
cressiug thst dangerous element by adding to
the number Of strangers to our language and
our laws Amy man honestly seeking Citizen
ship, and who is worthy OF the honor, win
not grumble at requirement which is
simply intended as a guarantee of his good
faith and his fitness.
Some 30 or 40 individuals have already
placed their names the registry lists for
1897. This is larger number than ever be-
fore registered so early in the year, but there
is very good reason for IL. These early birds
have had a lesson and have profited by IL.
They were among the nearly 900 individuals
who put of the important duty OF registering
for the present year until the last day OF 1926,
and they were forced TO stand in line from
two TO four hours in consequence The ex'
perience was not an enjoyable one by any
means. and it's discomforts 30 deeply impressed
this nearly two score OF citizens that they de-
cided TO put themselves beyond the possibility
Of undergoing the same fatigue and annoyance
next December.
Whether the remainder Of the 1000 will fol.
low the example set by these unusually carly
citizens. no one, not even themselves, can tell.
80 long as. the memory OF that tiresome and
weary wait in line fingers with them, there IL
accessibility that they will do SO: but let'that
orce be forgotten, and all chance of getting
them in early will have passed. There is no
doubt pretty widespread misapprehension as
the time when citizens may register, and n
very considerable proportion hold the mis-
taken notion that this duty can be performed
In the month Of December only. It is difficult
TO understand how such an error should have
gained such wide currency but that IL exists
the members of ths board of canvassers and
registration have ample and frequent proof.
1t may possibly be attributable to the fact
that activity in registration matters never
begins until December. and seldom until half
Of that month has already passed by. Those
who hold this mistaken notion should, for
their own comfort and convenience, get lid OF
IL at once by remembering that from the first
TO the last day OF tho year the registration
books are open. and that the larger the mum
her who make use of. them in the earlier
months the.greater will be the pleasure OF the
boAyd. II took long time TO drive out of the
heads of soule citizens the erroneous idea that
by paying a poll tax they were entitled 10
vote, whether they registered OF not, and IL
now looks IA though IL may take an equally
long time to convince them that the registra-
tion books are open TO them every month in
the year, and are not kept specially for service
in December.
Many Providence people have = very high
regard for the Rev. J. Hall McIlvaine, who
for n number of years was ono of the most
devoted, earnest and successful workers in
the cause of religion in this city. Rev. Mr.
McIlvaine gave up his psstorate here a few
years ago to go 20 a larger field, much to the
regret Of tho members OF his flock and TO
that Of a .;ill wider circle of citizens who
appreciated the splendid service ho was rem.
dering. Two years ago the Church OF the
Covenant. and what is known as the Brick
Presbyterian Church, ut tho corner Of Fifth
avenue and Thirty seventh street, New York.
were merged. the Blick Church being made
the place of worship for the consolidated 40.
cieties. At that time II was agreed that there |
should he joint psstors,e. tho Rev. DIR. |
Henry Van Dyke and Rev. Mr. Mcllvaino be. |
Ing the pastors
The experiment does not appear 10 have |
been "a successful one however for IL has Just |
been announced that both olsrgymen have |
sent in their designations, which will be con. |
sidered at a meeting Of the church society 90 |
lie held next week Ii il said that Dr. Van |
Dyke and Rev. Mr. Mclvane have sgreed, |
after long and earnest trial that dual pas.
torate does not conserve the best interests ~ |
the church, and that the proper course for
them 60 pursue T. for both 20 resign. THIS |
result Is IN no way surprising. Divided re.
sponsibilty. either in temporal or religious |
affairs. IL always unsatisfactory and some. |
times disastrous. There must be one mead.
one responsible and authoritative power in /
church affairs. as well as those outside It's |
pale, IL any degree Of success is 10 DO achieved
and where There ~ no such head, matters arc |
likely 10 drift into discouraging condition 1
81 chaos. However. in tho case Of the Brick |
Presbyterian Chrrch. the clergymen con.
cerned appear TO have realized the dsncer
ahead. aud 20 have taken proper and promp, l
steps 20 avert 70.
Besides telling us Just what the ighiing /
strength al Rhode Island ~ ~ the nressot /
time. the last census bulletin furnisb,s some
other interesting facts and figures. II shows.
for instlrce, that out of the 81 cities andP
towns in ibis commonwealth. there arc 70 /
which have male population bstween tho
ages Of II and "a OF lcss than $40. These arc 1
West Greenwich with i32: jamestown. Is4; \
Little Compton. s34. Mtridtr-r--u. .rr5. New I
sborehsm. "a, Portsmouth. fsi Foster. 2lO: l
Giocester. 22: North Providence, 40: smith.
hsld. as: 1psslfftown. 2U7: Exeter. iCi and 1
Richmond. az. Vest GreenWirh. q viii ho
seen. is'ihr most Ioorly furri ished. with irht. 4
Ing material ~ any iuwr In tho state. ut n .
r.pcrls frosn ihai hsiiwics are ~ De- creiitca
sbe male ~ ~ qnaniy what she lucS- in
,~.ntlfr