The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-02-12
UP HHE VALLEY.
Lincoln Taxpayers Met In
Special Session Yesterday
Question of Legality of Meeting
Was Fully Discussed.
Il Was Decided to Transact the Business and
Seek Legal Advice Later-Notes.

The taxpayers of Lincoln met in special
town meeting yesterday afternoon, in the
band room of Lonsdale hall, and voted to
appropriate $500 for highways and ESQ
for town officers. These sums are to be
added to the regular appropriations made
In June last.
Shortly after 2 o'clock Moderator Law
renee A. Lockwood called to order. and
Flown Clerk Charles f. Easton read the
warrant for the meeting, certified to by
Constable Henry Hartwell jerks. The
reading finished, Mr.. Frank f. Fitzsim-
mons arose and addressed the moderator
saying he had an objection to make.
The objection was that no canvass Of
the taxpayers voting list had been made,
and, as the law was imperative that one
should be made, he didn't see how the
meeting could regularly proceed.
Moderator Lockwood said he was at q
loss to understand why the failure to can
vass the list should interfere with the
legality of the meeting. He was not fresh
in his reading of the law, but he was not
ready to say whether Mr.. Fitzsimmons
was right or mistaken. A copy of the gen.
eral laws was soon procured, and from 1t
the objector read extracts to sustain his
objections. Then followed lengthy dis
cussion as to what was the correct inter-
probation Of the law.
Rev. James V. Chalmers and John
Johnston took sides with Mr.. Fitzsim-
mons, who discussed the matter fully,
showing the intent and purpose OF the
law governing canvasses OF the voting
lists and declaring that the meeting should
not be held until a canvass of the qualified
electors had been made. 1t was clearly
the intention of the law makers that only
those persons entitled to vote should vote
in town meetings, and the speaker could
not agree that a voting list made out in
June last was safe guide to follow in
determining who were legally entitled to
vote at the present time.
Messrs. Chalmers and Johnson spoke
ably in a similar strain, and then the other
side favoring the contention that a canvass
was not necessary, had its innings. Mod
orator Lockwell, President William H.
Comstock of the Council, and Mr.. Henry
Hartwell jerks and Mr.. John ID. Turner
advancing several propositions which they
deemed good arguments in support of the
idea that canvassing of the voting lists was
1t was finally decided to go on with the
meeting,. and to request Mr.. President
Comstock and Town Treasurer. Sherman to
ascertain whether its action would stand.
The general opinion of the meeting was
that whether the doings of the meeting
stand or not it would be better hereafter
to canvass the list.
The appropriations noted above were
n. Ntx
Simon, Rev. Mr.. Chalmers, Henry C.. Pol
lard, George w. Olney, Nelson j. Ballou
and others had discussed the financial
condition of the town, the first named at
tempting to have a motion passed refus-
ing to make any more appropriations until
the June town meeting.
Notes From Up The Valley.
Edward Kinder of Ashton is numbered
on the sick list.
Thomas Bland has accepted situation
with Groceryman Ryan of Cumberland.
Patrick Ryan of Manville is one of the
latest victims to fall into the hands of
Mr.. Grip.
The Jollie Brothers and Moshassuck Ice
Company are getting crops of fairly good
ice off of Scott's pond.
Lincoln Division, No. 10, Sons Of Tenn
perance, held very enjoyable valentine
party last evening" During the evening
many members from Rescue Division OF
Central Falls were entertained.
Mr.. and Mrs. Roger Sutcliffe OF Sayles-
vile are receiving the congratulations of
their friends on account of the first addi-
tion to their family. A bright young
daughter is the cause of their JOY.
Adam Oldfield, David Asquith and Her
bert Pearson Of Saylesville represented
Moshassuck Assembly, No. A, Royal So
ciety of Good Fellows, at the convention
of that order which was held at Newport
Wednesday.