The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-01

than 10 try To excuse anu eNpiain bhcih'
His only defense, other than his own
naper. was motion from Mr.. Gilrain 10
indefinitely postpone the resolution. MI.
Gilrain, however, failed to vote mo .on |
the motion for passage
Resolution of Censure.
| The resolution of censure was as follows: |
Whereas, In an article published In the
| Providence Evening Telegram on the |
| 9th day of March, 1897, concerning a re-
ported proposition to be presented by the
| committee on education OF the Clty
| Council to hire money for the purpose OF
| furnishing additional school accommoda-
tions in the city OF Providence' the ioi-
| lowing statement was made:
| Thomas w. Bicknell, who is q mem.
| her of the school committee, said he heard
! something in regard TO the matter, but
did not fully understand just what was
desired Later on he informed himself as
| to what was proposed and said:
II am in favor of building all the new
| schooIhouses that are needed and think
| we should not be stingy In the expendl-
ture of money for school purposes, but.
am not in favor of hiring 5000 900 for
the school committee under It's present
financial management. Ihey nave TOO
much power as it is, and l am opposed 10
any such measures as the one referred
"And Whereas the member from the
Second ward, Mr.. Bicknell, must have
been aware in making such statement
that all expenditures for the purchase OF
land for school purposes, or for the erec-
tion or repair of school buildings, are
wholly in the hands of the City Council,
| and that the school committee has no
authority whatsoever over the same, and
would have nothing whatever To do with
the expenditure of any portion of the
money proposed TO be hired for furnish
ing additional school accommodations as
: | reported in said article,
: hAnd Whereas said statement is there
fore without force, except as an attack
I | upon the school committee for the pur-
. pose of prejudicing them in the eyes OF
4 the public ,.
lated to mislead the public, and, so far
as il has any effect, is wholly mischieyous
I'd tends to hamper the city authorities
IN furnishing needed school accommoda-
tions
81 therefore, Resolved, That the school
q muittee hereby calls public attention
!, I said statement and pronounces the
!. me mischievous in character and mis-
~ leading in intent
Colonel Joslin called it from the table
and then tor the sake of throwing 1t open
to discussion moved its passage.
He said himself that at the last meeting
! he did not want any dcnnlte action III
:, the matter as Mr.. Bicknell was absent
- and no doubt will set himself right for
:, cannot believe that he ever uttered suci
= absurd statements as appear in the news
= paper paragraphs under discussion. ID
has too much astuteness and ability e
say anything of the sort. "A man OF nj
intelligence and wide expc"ience and o
his personal prominence n municipa
affairs during tne last two years during
which no has familiarized himself Will
| every feature of local government woult
| not display such Ignorance OF the rea
situation as the alleged Interview wouit
indicate.
This pleasing eulogy pleased ever,
one. but Mr. BicknelL 1t was a shrewt
preliminary TO the censure that was sur
to follow and suggestive OF the proyerbial
good breakfast that every prisoner Is sup
posed to have on the morning OF the par
ticular Friday appointed for MS iarewei
speech from the gallows. IL was taklnl
MIR. Bicknell up higher that he Nigh
drop further and land harder anu h
plan was successful
Mr.. Bicknell'S Defense.
Mr. Bicknoll was the second speake
recognized. ,.,,..o
"The Qentlemen from the Seventh ward
the chairman of the committee on rela
tions TO the City Council has introduced
| resolution declaring my alleged words,
1 they appenred In "a certain newspaper
his city in March last, as.to certain pro
posed measures of this Board to DO mis-
leading and 'mischievous. L Will nc
now question his parliamentary right Z
| criticise or condemn my private or put
lie words and acts in this manner, nor III
| In the least concerned as 10 the action c
this Board concerning the resolutions nov
pending. / am moro deeply concerned a
TO the questions which affect the publi
welfare and which protect the Interest
and property of the pc2ple OF providence
III these aro settled right and rlghteously
rarsonal matters will take care II them
selves. and no questions are finally settle
until thcy are established on a solid bns
of right / am of the opinion, however
that every. member of this Board has
full, clear and absolute right To expires
his views, pulicly or privnteiy' on an
question before the public, Wlthoo
molestation Of person or reputation.
WEach stands or falls on the basis of tl
truthfulness of his utterances and correc
ness of his judgment bciore the lar OF u
nublic conscience ana opinion, from whlc
there is no evasion nor appeal But
waive all matters of courtesy which ger
tlemcn Of such body are suppOseu
| accord one another. as well as tho natur
and constitutional right TO the exprcssio
~ ones opinion either In debate {
through the public press. AZ the outset,
wish 90 declare that the alleged lntc
view In The Telegram is suhstantiaily co
rect and am now ready 20 rcailirm tno
opinions therein stated with greater ei
phasis than ut the time OF their uttcranc
\ am nlsp p~eparcd To- maintain and deiei
the trutbfulncss and iustnoss OF my pos
,ion on the questions at issue. III this
L .la thn tnngf pf M.