The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-25


dence Immediately availabis for this pur-
pose Not only Is the building available,
but especially adapted TO the require
ments of such q school, and believe that
10 could be established there at very little
expense To the state. Like other textile
schools. IL would probably receive dona-
tions of machinery, etc., anu conld not
fail TO become at once most popular IN
stitution.
With the view of promoting our indus
tries and Of giving TO the working men
of the state. employed in textile indus
tries. especially 10 our young people, an
opportunity OF becoming educated and
skilled workmeu. i respectfully recon-
mend that the state board OF education
be directed 10 make thorough investiga-
ton of the subject and report thereon
during the present session OF the General
Assem- bly,.
BkEACHWAY AT BLOCK ISLAND.
The latest survey map OF this work,
made in August. 1897. under the direc-
tion Of Major ID. w. Lockwood, Corps OF
Engineers u. 5. army, shows channel
about BOO feet wide. IL feet deep, protect
ed by breakwater on the southerly side
l2o2 feet long, and pier on the north
erly side about 200 feet long
The channel was opened on the 25th
day OF May, 1895, and though having
for more than two years, this last survey
disclosed no evidence of shoaling or fill
ing with sand. such conditions reason-
ably assure the practicshiiity and per-
manency OF the project. There has been
expended for dredging and breakwaters,
To January |, 1895. including inoidentals,
Sl02, SS3 The government has expended
in extending the soutberly bTeakwater 10
water Is feet deep 81, i07. 81.
MILITIA.
During the past few years several at
tempts havs Eeen made 10 secure the pas
sage OF All act 10 take the place OF the
present Militia Law ESQ called), passed in
1879. Tho passage OF this act at that
time marked radical departure in the
military history OF the state and its effect
was TO put our own militia on a favora BILE
footing with the militia OF other states
As time went on, however and changed
conditions In arms, equipments and tac-
tics confronted the service, this act was
necessarily amended from time 10 tune
so that today it-shows radical changes In
many ways FROM the original law.
A joint committee of the General AS
sembly has under consideration new
bill, recommended Dy the military au-
thurities of the state as possessing the
Necessary features TO materially improve
the administration OF the service and
Rfeatly 10 lNCrssrs It's eIHclencV.
In my opinion the only militia adapted
to this state is one SO constituted and
drilled that in case of war IL would be a
most important auxiliary TO the regular
armv in manning the defences Of Nara
pansett Bay. and | earnestly recommend
that whatever bill IL reported TO the Gen
eral Assembly will provide for the con-
version of at leHst one Of the infantry
regiments into one OF heavy artillery. or
gam zed according to the United States
army regulations measure wniCn would
secure this hearty endorsement of our
own people and the undoubtsd support
of the militia itself.
The annual military reports will inform
you of what hns been done during the
past year. and what the service in all its
branches actually requires for the year to
come.
JANUARY FIRST. A LEGAL HOLI-
DAY.
1t seems emincntly appropriate that q
day which marks so important an event
in the history OF this country the enanci-
patton OF the slaves, should be set apart
rs holiday. It is so observed by all but
thrse states in the Union (Massachusetts,
New Hampshire and khoue Island), sud
in response to very emphatic requests for
the same. / respectfully recommend that
the 1st day OF January i'm each year be set
apart as legal holiday in this state.