The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-03

The public nearing on the Dill pfoNlu-
ing for the establishment Of a police
commission in the city of Providence
was continued until quite late in the
afternoon yesterday and after the
speeches OF City Solicitor Colwell and
Mayor Baker. already reported in the
News OF yesterday. Assistant City So
licitor Albert A. Baker followed in op-
position to the bill. as a legal repre-
sentative OF the city
Mr.. Baker contended that If the gov
elnor is TO have the power 10 appoint
this commission he thought there
should INST be a decision OF the su-
pTeme court upon the consututlondllty
of the act, as otherwise he considered
there would be great confusion in the
maintenance of Jaw and order in the
city OF Providence. The city, he claim
ed would be put into position where
The enforcement OF all it's laws would
be questioned unless the bills consll=
tutfonality was beyond dispute. lie
contended against the provision In the
law regulating taxes on bootblacks,
hackney carriages and others.
The assertion that the unlicensed liq-
uor dealers could be suppressed by the
proposed commission he thought TO be
not strong argument. The licensed
liquor dealers were the ones to be dealt
with. he said because IL was they who
furnished the liquor to the unlicensed
dealers. The power TO make laws and
ordinances and 10 execute them for the
cities. he said, could not be delegated
20 commission OF three men. He con-
sidered that the bill was full OF ques-
tions and argued that II would be un-
wise for the legislature TO pass II in its
present form. there was demand
for commission he thought that the
power OF appointment ought TO be left
10 the city council or mayor; that the
commission ought 10 be ee-headed
one. and that the salaries ought not to
be over $4,000
In reply 10 a question from Mr.. John
r.. Blodget as 70 his opinion OF the
scope of the BIZ, Mr.. Baker agreed that
st would be better for the licensing of
liquor saloons 10 be under the control
OF the police department.
Amasa NJ. Eaton, Esq. next spoke on
the BILL and he maintained that in
Rhode Island the General Assembly has
mo right to interfere In the local self
government of the towns. He second
ed the suggestion of cty Solicitor Col
we'll that the committee allow more
time for preparation for the discussion
of the case. He wanted the legality OF
the proposed act TO be submitted TO
the supreme court for an opinion. Mr..
Eaton declared thew MAele=bili +e be=tfa-=
constitutional In general. and also In
detail. In closing he titicised the cases
advanced by Mrf Blodgett and declar-
ed again that the bill submitted vlo-
lates the cardinal principles of consti-
tutional government.
To Mr.. Richard Martin OF Pawtucket,
who asked Mr. Eaton why he wanted
am advisory opinion OF the court now.
when ne is on record as declaring such
an opinion worthless, -.r. Baton replied
that he had never said what Mr.. Mar
tin declared, and added that such an
opinion would be of little value unless
the other suggestion that both sides
be allowed to file briefs be carried cut
With this the opinion would have great
value.
Richard II. Comstock, Esq. made an
ardent protest against the passage OF
the bill. which. he claimed. takes away
from the cit yof Providence it's rights
Mr.. Comstock stated that there was ur-
gent need for a change, but he declared
that all modern development has been
towards giving the appointing power
to the cities. instead OF the state. He
deprecated the tendency TO go TO the
court for an opinion on everything, and
expressed the. hope shat the General
Assembly will never again go TO the
said that the citizens of Providence are
more i'm favor of home rule than ever.
and he declared that the passage of the
proposed bill would cause a great re-
volt.
Mr.. Comstock stated emphatically
thsd he favored a commission. but a
single e-heade1 commission. and he re-
ferred 20 the present fire commission
of Providence as an instance--the only
instance In his knowledge. of success
ful triple commission. Mr. Comstock
said he agreed with Mr.. Blodgett that
a police commission is needed. but said
that the pesent bill is an example of an
attempt at usurping power by the
state.
Col. Joseph n. Kendrck. president Of
the common council. stated thai per-
eonnlly he was In favor of 4 police COM
m.sSi-n and he balhaxed tha i-hA --t..4snz--
ers OF the police an the license board
should be combined IN n. hut fhe ia
object To the taking away of the pow
crs OF the city. He considered the no.
lice force % be credit 70 the city. hut
by this dld not mean q imply that 70
could not be improved. With fear
less commission. whose members should
retain their positions for a term of
years. he thought that as I'm the case
Of the fire department. better appoint
rents would he made. and the work OF
the department. would he more efficient.
He believed that the commission should