The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-01-31

cessor should be elected by your honor
able body.
Hon. j. Edward Studley of the SEN
ate. and Messrs. Charles ID. kimban
and Stephen :. Rich OF the House,
were appointed a committee To trans
fer the books and papers OF the Office
from the outgoing tn the incoming au-
dtor. Their report and the receipt or
the incoming auditor have been made
to me and are now on file in the office
OF the secretary OF state.
TAXATIUN AND REVENUE.
l feel 1t my duty again tn call the
attention Of your honorable body TO the
necessity for providing for an increas-
ed revenue for the state. In the near
future the outlay of large sums of
money must be made, not for pubic
improvements. but for public necessi-
ties The demands are urgent and real.
all OF a pressing public nature, requir-
ing active measures 10 be taken 10 pro-
vide for them and If possible, without
adding 10 the already heavy burden OF
our taxpayers. Rhode Island need go
no farther than her sister states for
object lessons I'm increasing her reve-
nue. and i'm methods of taxation. meth
ods which are no longer experimental.
With a Just and impartial tax, levied
upon such property as in other
states is subject To taXation.
the present tax which our own
CITIES and towns are required To pay
towards the maintenance Of the state
could be reduced 10 a minimum ana
greater revenue assured. l have add
ed as an appendix to this message
table. giving the rate, II any, paid py
cities and towns in many OF our sister
commonwealths towards the support OF
their several state governments.
| leave this matter with you, salts
N~nI Al ~
the recognition its Importance de-
mands. -
REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION.
At the November election for con-
gressmen new constitution, known as
the Revised Constitution Of Rhode ISL
and, was submitted 10 the people OF
the state for adoption, and failed of the
necessary hree-ffths vote required To
carry il into effect.
This instrument had been prepared
by a commission of both parties, APP
pointed by my predecessor, i'm accord
ance with a vote of the General As
sembly 1t was. as all such instru-
ments OF necessity are, the result ot
compromlse Both political parties were
represented i'm this commission by dis
tingulshed. well known citizens. Its
adoption failed, however as stated
above.
l certainly hope that the matter will
aeain be, brought before the people.
and with such wise and popular pro-
visions as will insure its adoption by a
large majority.
NEW STATE HOUSE.
The two wings of the new State
House have been completed, ready FOR
the putting on of the interior finish,
which viii he commenced as soon as
the boilers are placed i'm position, 50
that heat may be furnished To allow II
To be properly done. They are To be
set at once I'm their permanent location.
and temporarily covered with a cheap
wooden structure during the winter
mouths The permanent boiler-housc
will be erected I'm the spring, as soon as
the weather Will permit. at which time
work will be resumed upon the dome.
now about half completed The wisdom
of the action of the legislature i'm provi-
cling during the past year for the ilniSh-
ing OF the structure. has been proven
by it's subsequent approval by the peo-
ple OF The state. The completion of the
building has been necessarily post
poned beyond the time named IN the
contract by the delay In obtaining
funds. but | ann Informed that the next
Legislature will hold It's January ses-
sion I'm the completed structure, and
the various departments Of the state
will he conveniently located therein
during the coming autumn.
The money already appropriated FOR
the use OF the Board Of state House
commissioners does not provide FOR the
cost OF grading the grounds surround
ing the state House and surfacing
them with enough loam to sustain n
good growth ~ grass IN my opinion. "a
sufficient sum should at the present
session be placed at the disposal OF the
board TO allow this 20 be done at once.
and 10 provide for the purchase and
painting Of trees, % than the building
when completed. will not be left stand
lag In the midst OF the unsightly sand
lot which now surrounds 70. the doing
~ Nrrk Of this character ,s ngccssari-