The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-16

Dor master shall have sn office and tels
phone at cost not to exceed goo year
and the second provides that the hsrboI
msster shall wear a uniform while on
duty, and keep record Of the vessels
entering and leaving this port with their
tonnage, and make an annual report to the
Council.
The bill was read and placed on the
table under the rules.
The original bill TO amend this ordi-
nance was indefinitely postponed upon
the accommodation OF the committee.
A Dill for an ordinance allowing the
Providence Telephone company to erect
poles In certain streets was recommended
by the Comm issioner Of PublicWorks, an
laid on the table until the next session.
A report was received from the city
solicitor relative to the relations existing
between the city and the Nsrragansett
Electric Lighting company.
1t was read by President Kendrick and
ordered printed.
An abstract OF the solicitors opinion
is as follows:
"The present relations between the city
and tue Narragansett Electric Lighting
Co. date back to ne 29th of October,
1892. Prior to that time contracts were In
force between the city ana said company
for the supplying OF electric lights, and
these contracts would have exp pired June
10, 1894.
son May 10, 1892. the General Assem- bly,
passed an act entitled IAN Act Concern
Ing tie Narragansett Electric Lighting
Company by which an exclusive fran
chise was given In this city for 20 years
by the payment of special tax of 3 per
cent. on the gross earnings for the first
hve yesrs and not less than pc: cent, nor
more than per cent. for each succeeding
period OF i've years, commencing July /,
1892.
From section OF the act we learn
that after the expiration OF the present
contract and until the expiration Of the
20 years. franchise, the rate to beecharged
for lights shall be determined by the
company and City CouScil if possible at
least three months before the expiration
of the existing contract, for the succeed
ing period of three years and thereafter
until the expiration OF the 20 years fran
chise the same parties shall at least three
months before the commencement of the
succeeding three year agrfe upon the rate
to be paid for lights during that period.
And In case there is no agreement reached
within two months prior to the COM
nencement Of the three years period, the
ate for the period shall be determined by
ss p' divided in section 10.
1.-The city, desiring additional lights
'efore the end of the existing con tract.
negotiated with the company for such
lights at reduced price, and on October
8, 1892, contract was formed whereby
ne company agreed to furnish 1900 arc
ghts, including the lights then being
urnished.
"By arbitration the price was fixed for
be period yet remaining and for the first
hrse years under the provisions of the
Istute.
"J hs price was fixed at 36 I-s cents rer
ight, instead of a. cents as formerly. In
sragraph 20 Of this contract the parties
sived their righ hts under section of the
It OF May 10, 1892, to have the pric, of
shts fixed by arbitration at the expira-
on of the existing contract or any date
'ior to April 10, 1897, but with this excep-
on the contract adopts the rest of the
4.
This agreement was not acted upon
it'll March IA, 1895, when a supplemental
,reement was entered upon increasing
q mum ber OF lights TO 1900 and red ucing
e price from 3S l-2 cents to 35 cents per
ght for three years ending June Is,
37, and for another five years.
g Before the passage of the act of May
1892, the city could either have light
& system Of its own or form a contract
tn any person or corporation for the
.hting. But the act of the General AS
molly prevented the city from entering
contract with any other person or cor
ration for twenty years.
'Nor can the city install a plant of ite
m unless favorable vote shall pass
IN branch of the City Council by a ma
ity vote OF ell the mem bers, receive
. approval of the Mayor and be ratided
a majority of voters qualified to elect
I'm bers of the Council being present
voting thereon at the election which
I'll be held next after the expiration of
lr months from the date OF the Mayors
provsl.
In case nun icipal lighting is adopted
the sppurtensnces of the Narrsgsnsett
,ctric Lighting Company must be pur-
lsed,a fair value to be fixed by arbitra-
n.
With regard to the agreement of
rch, 1885 it affects the period Of dve
RS commencing June Is, 1897, 1t is un- =
legal and within the power
he parties unless prohibited by the
vislons of the sct of May 10, 1892.
This act gives the company a monop-
in the city streets for 20 years. unless
city buys the plant used for lighting
streets.
Because OF this monopoly 1t was .
osaafv that some mat hod xho,,Id h, \