The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-01-30
MESSAGE TO THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HfsioneS. SD that Ahey can dnJuSt
grievances, not OF an Interstate char-
acter, and also require railroad cor.
porations TO furnish such proper ana
reasonable facilities TO shippers ana
receivers of merchandise and such ac-
commodations for the travelling pun
iic, as they have right TO expect.
NEW POST OFFICE.
Much credit IL due the Board of
Trade OF Providence for it's porsise
ent efforts In calling the attention OK
congress TO the need of new federai
building In the city OF PROVIDENCE
The board furnished Congressman
Mercer every facility for the invesuga-
tion and inspection he desired 90 make.
am quite sure that he was surprised
10 find how grossly inadequate I'm ev-
cry respect the present post once
building is 20 the needs OF the city,
ana that he was well satisfied we
should have, at as early date as pos
sible, more comnudlous building
Tor the transaction OF postal and other
pubic business of the United states.
HARBoR IMPROVEMENT.
Attention has been heretofore called
10 the exceptional opportunity exist
ing ON the west side OF Providence har-
Dor, above Sassafras Point, for the
establlshment of a system OF piers ana
great increase i'm the shipping inter-
ests or this community. and the sug.
seston has been made that the state
take some action 20 at least secure
systematic plan for the development
or the territory 50 as 10 give the
greatest practical accommodation TO
the shipping, and the railroads. ana
the local business interests.
There j. now urgent need 20 take
immediate action in this matter, II the
public interests. rather than private
gain. are 10 be secured Already the
riparian rights covering a consider
able tract In the middle Of the ter
iftory suited to systematic develop
ment have changed hands. and the
purchaser is now occupied In erecting
wharNes for his private use. IF taken
mp IN season. II may be that his oc-
cupaton can be made 10 conform 10
general plan lin such way as not
90 fatally interfere with the greatest
public usefulness; but II will not be
safe TO further delay an investiVa
non i'm the interest OF the public so as
10 insure such usefulness before FUR
ther private interest complicates the
situation beyond remedy No occupa-
tion Of the territory that does not pro-
vide for the intimate connection of tine
railroad tracks with tho quays used by
shippng can serve the NOSE useful
purpose.
The whole subject is now OF press
ing Importance. and ] respectfully urge
upon you the need Of taking such ac-
tion as VIII secure the interests OF the
state and at the same time prevent pri-
vate ownership from dealing with its
riparian rights without reference to the
interests OF the public.
50 deeply am ! impressed at this time
with the necessity OF some concert Of
action, and that speedily. that I most
earnestly urge the appointment OF a
joint special committee OF the General
Assembly, TO confer with like commit
tees to be appointed by the city coun-
ellis OF Providence and Pawtucket and
the town council Of East Providence.
10 formulate and report such n COM
prehensive scheme for general Sarbor
improvements in Providence and Paw
tuckot rivers as will fully protect the
rights of the individual owners and
also care for the commercial interests
Of the citizens of the state generally.
STATE MILITIA.
earnestly recommend that, in addi-
( tion 10 the annual appropriation for
militia and military affairs the prod
ucts OF the camp ground, consisting OF
hay, grain, vegetables and ice, may be
used by the militia at the annual en-
| campments. / cannot leave the sub
| the hone that in the near future the
| state Of Rhode Island will profit by the
| experience gained during the late war
| with Spain and see 10 IL that it's militia
! is organized in accordance with the
| regulations prescribed for the United
| States army, so that in case Of another
| war IL would be possible for IL to re-
| spond already organized in such way
| that IL could be at once mustered into
| the service Of the United States.
FACTORY INSPECTION.
The work of the factory inspectors for
| the past year has been very satisfac-
! tory They report visits to 549 estab-
| liShments, an increase OF ll6 over the
J number reported last year. The num-
| ber of employees is reported TO be
nearly Il 900. an increase of nearly 5000.
OF this increase S545 were found in the
| additional establishments visited.
| In 1898 the number of children en-
! ployed was about six and one-half per
cent of the total number of employees.
The percentage for 1899 is estimated at
! six per cent. The factory inspectors re-
new their recommendation OF last year
that children under fifteen years Of
| age shall not be employed while the
| schools are in session unless they can
| furnish a certificate from the school
authorities that they can read and
write the English language"
In conclusion the governor says: We
are assembled at a time when unexam-
pied prosperity rests upon all Of our In
dustries and there seems TO be no rea.
son why that prosperity has not come
TO stay. We. as stewards OF the public
veal. should recognize the fact that il is
the spirit OF true Legislation to antici-
pate the wants Of the state and not "a
follow in the wake OF ITS progress