The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-02

The judiciary committee or the House
OF Representatives gave a public hear
ing on the rising of the house at l2:45
o'clock today TO persons interested i'm
an act to establish a board of police
commissioners for the city of Provi-
dence. There was a fair attendance IN
the house chamber, several members of
the General Assembly and fthe Provi-
dence City Council, Mayor Baker and
President Kendrick OF the Common
Council being present, together with "A
number OF members OF the bar.
There not appearing 10 be any person
to speak for the bill. Chairman Blodgett
called upon those in opposition to the
bill. and City Solicitor Colwell took the
floor and opened his remarks by read
ing the resolution of the city council
authorizing him TO oppose the passage
OF any bill calling for the appointment
of a police commission in the city OF
Providence. After speaking in refer
ence TO the bill introduced in the Gen
eral Assembly short time ago, provid-
ing for a commission to be appointed by
the mayor, Mr.. Colwell took up the
present bill. which he declared was
startling in its provisions.
He did not he said. propose TO take
up the bill by sections, but would call
attention to certain of the more radi-
cal features ell then took up section
=, in as far as IL related to the power
of the proposed commission TO appoint,
remove, organize and control the police
and the police surgeons and police ma
irons of the city and the authority TO
make all needful rules and regulations
for their efficiency not inconsistent with
the laws Of the state; and providing
that all the powers now vested in the
M ri nf aldermen the
city council. or other competent author
ity, concerning the qualifications, ap-
pointment removal, organization. COM
pensation term of Office, discipline or
control of the police or police surgeons
and police matrons shall be vested in
the commission.
He then read from sections 4 and 5
of the bill which provide that licenses
of all kinds shall be issued by the pro-
posed commission. He stated that he
believed that the police force of the
city of Providence would compare fa-
forably with any police force OF the
country. and the chief of police was an
able and worthy man. He had tailed TO
find so far persons who were prepared
10 assert that the police laws and regu-
lations of the city were not properly
executed. He had heard no complaints
i'm relation 10 the work OF the license
boards.
Where does this call come from for
the proposed change? Does X come ont
of the air, or does IL come from some
source from whence il should not he
regarded? He had not seen anybody
that came here from any other place,
but who speaks highly ~ the order and
safety of Providence under its police
management. Why therefore this fun
damental change? Nhc frames this
indictment against thu city OF ProNi-
dence? Whatever is finally done, all
the city asks now is to haze a fair op-
portunity TO be heard. Il will endeavor
TO show that il is not SO corrupt that
il cannot be trusted with the appoint
ment of its police officers or Jhe admin
istration Of its police force.
lie saw no reason why the city or
Providence should be saddled with an
extra list OF about $780, 900 a year, Cspe-
cially at a time while il is struggling
10 meet it's obligations. The passage of
this bill would wipe out self-goNera-
ment for the city OF Providence and
would strike terrible blow at local
government throughout the state. He
could not conceive how the General AS
sembly could believe itself justified in
passing such "A bill. even IL IL believed
that il had a right 90 do so. In view Of
the rights OF the people OF Providence.
The most serious feature Of the ques-
tion. however he considered. was
whether the General Assembly had any
constitutional right TO pass any such
law. He believed that the whole spirit
of the constitution was opposed 10 any
such actor. and the language OF sec
tion % in a general manner emphasized
his opinion. Many OF the provisions OF
the bill are unconstitutional. unless the
upctrme adopted in Massachusetts,
which provides that the towns and
cities are owned by the legislature. is
also adopted I'm Rhode Island.
He believed that IL would be the pro-
per thing for tho judiciary committee
10 go TO the Supreme Court to ask how
farvthe General Assembly could go in
its interference with the cities and
towns of the state. The constitution OF
Massachusetts provides for 8 state of
things such as exists there. hat the
Rhode Island constitution does no.,
Mr. John r. Blodgett. of Providence.
Of the committee. asked Mr.. Colwel
several question Some Of which
seomed 10 no " Mr. Colwell consider
ably. and he replied that he did Ut
think that this was q time tO see
whether the committee. or certain
members of ~. could not find y d'ctiin
for what they proposed 10 do I'm push
ing the passage ~ the bill. Mr.. COL
well then read several extracts from
opinfona of courte I'm several ooctiope ~