The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-26
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY.
The January Session Opened
This Morning at the
State House.
Gov. Charles Warren Lippitt'S
Message is an Interesting
Document.
STATE AEEAIRC ARII HAAnT En-
STATE AFFAIRS ABLY HANDLED.
Bill Authorizing the City Of Pawtucket to
Issue Bonds for $SO00O0 Was introduced
in the Senate-Other Business.

The January session of the General
Assembly opened in due form at II o'clock
at the State House this morning. After
routine exercises, Gov. Lippitt read his
The regular income from ordinary
sources during 1896 exceeds that for any
previous year in the history of the State by
| $26.S17.2S.
STATE HOUSE CONSTRUCTION.
To complete the State House now being
erected, in addition to the balance avail
able Jan. 1, 1897, there will be required, ac-
cording to the present estimates of the
Board of State House Commissioners,
81 ,674 ,489.
TAXATION AND REVENUE.
In the present condition of the finances
of the State and the probable demands to
be made upon them during the next few
years, the question of taxation and revenue
Is one of vital importance. Various meth
DDS for the State to increase its income by
additional methods of taxation have been
suggested. The Joint Committee are still
considering the important matters submit
ted to their attention and are in consulta-
tion with similar committees Of neighbor-
ing States. 1t is expected that they will
make q report to the present General
Assembly which should receive your
prompt attention.
eaa10 ssSE RAILROADS. --srrr-sw2re
The Railroad Commissioner in his re-
port calls attention to the limited powers
| conferred upon him by statute, and sug.
gests that they could be increased without
| detriment to the interests of the people
of the State.
A comparison of the figures in relation
to steam railroads does not indicate any
material change in their condition be-
tween 1895 and 1896.
CHARITIES AND CORRECTIONS.
The expenditure during 1896 for the diff
ferent State institutions in Cranston was
$262, ,535.T. There is continually increas
ing demand upon the different institutions
controlled by the Board.
TENNESSEE EXPOSITION.
The propriety Of erecting in behalf of
the State small building at q moderate
cost at the Tennessee Exposition is being
urged by the authorities of the Exposition.
A commanding site in the grounds has
been set apart for this purpose.
FACTORY INSPECTORS.
Inspectors, Col. Elisha H. Rockwell and
Mrs. Fanny Purdy Palmer, has continued
Mrs. Palmer reports that she has inspected
379 establishments, employing total of
81, ,844 persons-men, 80, women, 23, 800; /;
boys under I6 years, 2321; girls under 16
years, 1882.
The sanitary condition of the establish
ments inspected is reported to have i'm
proved and to be excellent. Attention is
called to the fact that some mills have de-
cided not to employ any help under IS
years of age. An increase in the age limit
at which minors can be employed is rec
commended by both inspectors.
INSURANCE. ~
The report of the insurance department
will be presented later in the year. AS has
been frequentlyIindicated, this department
of the State should be separated from the
auditors department and placed under the
charge of an insurance commissioner.
STATE FLAG.
In recommending change of color Of
the State flag Gov Lippitt says The white
| flag of Rhode Island was the emblem of
the State during the Revolution, the war
Of 1872, the Mexican war of 1S46, and
throughout the late civil war. To again
enact that it shall be the authorized State
color, bill will be presented for your con-
sideration, which it is hoped will have
your favorable action.
MILITIA.
According to the census of 1896 the
number of men in Rhode Island subject
| to military service is about 5000. In the
organized militia at the present time there
are 1921 officers and men. During the
| past year considerable change has taken
place in the personnel of the militia.
Greater interest Is being manifested by
both officers and men.
SOLDIERS HOME.
During the past year the new pavilion
has been constructed and will soon be
ready for occupation. There Is strong
pressure on the part of old soldiers to be-
come inmates of the Home, and its accom-
modations are taxed to the utmost.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
There were employed in Rhode Island
during 1895, 1702 teachers. The average
number for the year was 1861. IL has been
found that about ten per cent OF the num-
Der Of teachers employed are required an
nually for various vacancies. The State
required 176 new teachers during 1895
This demand cannot be supplied from the
present Normal School
The improved facilities to be gained by
the completion of the new Normal School
renders the qualification OF teachers .
question for consideration.
EDUCATION.
The total income for educational pur-