The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-06

and registration, consisting OF three persons
elected by the City Council was created by
the General Assembly OF the state. IL - re-
grottable that the City Council, which chose
the members of the board did not SEQ the ad
visibility of allowing representatives OK both
great political parties place on THIS board
III tho wisdom OF appointing supervisors from
the two representative political parties 20
oversee the counting OF the vote at elections
he admitted. how much more cogent the rea-
sons for appointing representatives of those
same parties on the commission which exor-
cises tho more important functions OF making
up the lists OF tho citizens entitled 70 cast
those votesi Every suspicion OF partisanship
in the making up Of the voting lists should DO
removed, and would suggest that TINS emu
can be best attained by giving each or the
great political parties representation upon
tho board OF canvasssrs and registration.
In this connection l would suggest that ap.
plication be made TO the Legislature 20 amend
tho existing law so that In all cases where
the name of person entitled to vote has been
omitted from the proper voting list, the board
Of canvasseTs and registration, on receiving
satisfactory proof of the same. II the same be
received before election day, shall place
the name OF such person on the proper voting
list; and IL received on election day, shall
issue TO such person. under it's seal, certih-
cate which shall entitle such person TO have
his name placed by the district clerk upon
the proper voting list, and thereupon 10 vote
by Joint resolution Of the City Council.
passed Dec 10, 1880. the city solicitor was
directed TO make application 10 the General
Assembly for such legislation as viii author
ize the City Council 20 constitute this Board
counting and returning board for the purpose
or performing tho duties OF counting the
ballots, now imposed on the Board or Alder
men. In my opinion, the Board OF Aldermen,
being elected by the people. and directly re-
sponsibe % them, Is the proper body 70 per
form the functions OF counting the ballots
cast at elections. | would advise that the
foregoing resolutions should be repealed, and
that the Board OF Aldermen retain,the powers
now held by H. am Of the opinion how
ever, that the Aldermen should themselves
count the ballots without any outside assist.
ance. | think that the custom Of the Board of
Aldermen in the past.i in allowing outsiders TO
take part in the counting OF the ballots, per
sons who were under no responsibility OF an
oath of office il without warrant OF law. and
should be discontinued and that the counting
OF ballots cast. by the Board of Aldermen, in
the manner indicated. would remove all
ground for criticism.
THE FINANCES
The financial administration Of the CITY re-
Quires your most serions and careful atten-
tion. Save in exceptional instances, believe
that tie rule to pay as you go should be
strenuously opposed TO increasing the bonded
Indebtedness Of this city, which, on the first
day of October last. amounted 10 sl3, 20. 900,
besides "A floating debt of So 40l. 3S4. Taking
out the amount OF sinking funds held by the.
city. l find that our net debt amounted at
that time TO Sl2, 92l, sos. %, and Of this sum
1924. 4.072SS was added during the last year.
the receipts from all sources during the same
period were So 1853. 636. CO. and the expenses
aggregated 80, 424, 77013. While there has been
a marked increase in the city's debt, there
has been an equally pronounced falling OF in
chief source OF revenue-taxation. As
tonishiug rs it may seem, there was less per-
sonal property taxed in the city OF Providence
in 1895 than in any year since 1891. Even in
1870. twenty-five years ago, taxes were col
lected on personal property valuation
higher than II was in 1895. In 1870 tho assessed
valuation of the personal estate liable 10 taxa
tion in the city was $40, 565, 100 Ia 1885 10
was $40, $40. 800. or S2ls.6OO less than IL was
twenty-five years ago. In 1894 the personal
estate taxed in this city was SO, 800, 400: in
1893 il was so, $40. s6O in 1892 IL was $40 SS5-
GO. This gradual reduction OF the city's in
como from this source during the last four
years, while the debt has heen allowed 10 go
on increasing, should awaken the City Coun-
cil 20 the serious condition in which the muui-
cipality has become involved. and TO the
urgent necessity that exists for an immediate
change in our laws that will insure fair dis
trihution Of the bnrdens OF taxation. No one,
/ think. will venture the assertion that the
value OF the Personal property held in this
community has actually decreased during the
last four years when the city has been passing
through the most healthy, prosperous and pro-
gressivo period known In its history. Goods
have been placed in the fundreds OF new
buildings erected duringathat time. and they
should pay tax for the fire and police pro
lection they receive as Well "a for tho facili-
ties that the city furnishes with which TO do
business. It IL true that the assessed valua-
tion OF improved real estate. especially
among small property holders, is high enough,
but higher valuation should immediately be
placed upon the large tracts OF vacant land
scattered about the city that the owner
shall either improve them or sell them in
order that they may be imNoved by others.
and thus not only make IA more eQualizing
valuation of such property, but also make
such tracts of land a benefit 70 tne city
treasury. In which connection I desire 20
particularly call your attention To some OF
the measures recommended by the board OF
state valuation &c the General Assembly in
1892 This City Council should not delay de-
cisive action upon this question of the taxa
tion of personal property, which should be
taxed where 10 IN located, although the owner
may have or claim TO have. residence in
some other city or town. SUCH law would
effoctually prevent parties desiring 10 oescape
taxation from taking up their residence In
adjoining towns just long enough 10 escape
the tax assessors in Providence, where their
personal estate or business enjoys all the ad'
vantsges that their less fortunate neighhors
are called upon To pay for maintaining. |
would earnestly recommend that application
be made to the General Assembly. at its
forthcoming session, for such changes in our
laws will provide for the taxation OF all
tangible personal property wherever it is 10
Gated, irrespective of ths residence OF the
owner.
Considering broadly the whole financial
question which now confronts Us, let me say
before taking up the aiscussion of other
topics. that am opposed and shall use my
utmost endeavors TO prevent all extravaganza
in the management OF the affairs Of the city.
Retrenchment and reform should be the
watchword OF the government that comes
into otfice today. The peoples money shonld
be wisely and economically expended. the
increase OF salaries should be discouraged,
money should not be appropriated until 10 il
in the treasury, available tor public uses. and
everv department should be so managed that
before the end OF the year 10 will not be
pressing forward its claims on too indulgent
Council for additional appropriations. Let
all OF our work he upon as economical a basis
as j. consistent with good government. and
am sure our efforts will not have boen IN
vain,
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Within the last five fiscal years the city has
spent for new school buildings aud lots and
for remodeling and enlargine school houses
SSS2 g52 In this time the Manuai Training
High School has been built. and the Branch
avenue and Messer street grammar schools,
while Candace street and Doyle avenue r-"m
mar schools have been enlarged hv The al III
tion OF six rooms zach. Manton avenue and
Federal street grammar schools have been
much improved.
The following primary school buildings.
thirteen in number, have heon erected: Almy
street. California avenue. Charles street.
Eddy street. Federal street, Harris avenue,
Highland avenue. Niagara street, River ave-
nue., Roger Williams avenue. hisson street,
State street, and Willard avenue: and ten.
Arnold street. Benefit street. Bourn street,
Carpenter street, Elm street, Elmwood ave-
nup. Eriondglip street. Julian street, Man.