The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-20
WHENCE COME THESE JOHNSTON
ANNExA TIONTsTs?

ANNExA TIONIsTs?
At the session OF the Common Council,
Monday night message was received
from the Mayor transmitting a petition
from Nathan NJ. Wright OF ais relative
TO the proposed annexation OF the COM
pact part OF the town OF Johnston to the
city OF Providence" and asking 10 have a
conference with representatives of the
City Council on this subject. The
Mayor recommended the appointment OF
n joint special committee with instruc-
tions to confer with said petitioners and
to report thereon to the City Council,
and after some discussion a resolution to
that effect was adopted and conferences
on the part OF the Council were ap-
pointed by the president.
This was all very gracious ard good
natured on the part OF the Mayor and the
Council, but it looks as If these peti-
graoiousness and good nature. Who are
they, anyway, these petItionersY Tax
payers, as the Mayor Is Informed, and
doubtless reputable citizens But what
have they TO do with annexation? Whom
do they representa- The Town Council OF
our neighboring town of Johnston has
appointed. authorized or Instructed no
such petitioners to confer with the repre-
sentatives Of the city government OF
Providence ON the annexation matter.
Thsre has been no meeting OF citizens TO
express annexation views and select a
committee to present them to our munich
pal government. In word, they are
self-appointed, arc these petitioners.
They represent no recorded publio senti-
ment in the town of Johnston,
Their assumption of duty in this del
icate matter is of tho character of the
nervv. 1t was stretching graciousness
ard good nature fer our Council to
recognize them IN an oilicia! capacity or
TO give them the time OF committee OF
the city government to discuss the matter
with them. They hayo no power, they
do not represent their town, they nre with
out any responsibility whatsoever tor
making even preliminary negotiations.
that tho city government should not
have countenanced ly such an official
re recognition as the Mayor and the Coun-
Gil have given. There was no call on
the city government to meet this self
constituted committee of annexationists.
What are they after anyway Why have
they come Dothering around city hall
when they have yet 20 receive the conf
dence and endorsement of their fellow
citizens out IN Johnstons
The annexation proposition has been
recently Uelontcu III tDut Town Dy popular
vote, and IL certainly is in no shape to no
presented TO our city government. 1t
has no standing. SO far as our CITY gov
ernment Is concerned. and has not even
reached position to command serious
consideration out In Johnston.
The city of Providence Is not seeking
to attach tho compact part OF the town OF
Johnston. Whether 1t would be desirable
60 our Interests to absorb that territory
is a question that is yet to come before
the people. But up to this time IL is not
in readiness for the citys consideration,
since the town of Johsnton has not asked
to come in, indeed, 1t has voted fatty
not to come In.
1t would be well TO hear from Johns
ton by the only method that can be rated
ms an expression Of public sentiment be.
fore the time of members OF our city gov
ernInent Is taken To enter upon fruitlsss
negotiations with self-constitutod COM
mittees or self-appointed delegations
from Johnston's roll of taxpayers, with
no power to act, no authority to which to
report.