The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-09-04

William III. Barclay, public works COM
missioner of Pawtucket. has been fully
vindicated by the board of aldermen. of
that city and at a meeting. last evening,
the following resolutions were unani-
mously adopted:
Resolved, That this board OF aldermen.
after listening 10 the report OF the COM
mittee on streets and bridges OF this
boardappointed to investigate the charge
OF misconduct I'm office preferred by the
| mayor against the commissioner of pub
lie works. hereby adopt the report as the
sense of this board
Resolved, That this board hereby ex-
| presses IL entire approval of the COM
| OF action pursued by the commissioners
| OF public works I'm the matter which has
been heard by the said committee and
| hereby expresses its entire confidence i'm
him. both personally and officially.
! The alleged charges preferred By Mayor
! Fitzgerald have already been referred 20
In the columns of the News and their un-
tenable character was also pointed out.
II was alleged by the mayor that Com
missioner Barclay retained on the payroll
OF the highway department the name OF
one William r. Parker. who had left the
city, secured employment elsewhere and
had no intention OF returning TO Paw
tucket: that tho money credited to the
name OF Parker was paid over TO Alder
man Charles A. HILBERT 10 whom said
Parker had assigned his wages and that
the amount involved was $66.
Pawtucket has never had brighter
more active. progressive and conscicn-
tious commissioner than MIR. Barclay
and any imputation a TO his probity was
promptly resented not by friends alone
but By citizens generally
The committee on streets and bridges
OF the Pawtucket board OF aldermen, as
a matter of courtesy TO the mayor and
justice 10 the commissioners gave hear
ing yesterday afternoon on the alleged
charges and. exclusive OF counsel and a
few witnesses, not a half dozen specta-
tors cared 10 listen TO the flimsy testi-
mony or be present at the iasco
Senator Chamnin acted as attorney for
the mayor, while the commissioner was
represented by 4. ID. Bassett, ESQ.
Alderman Barber presided as chairman
OF the committee and Alderman Hilbert
and the other members were present. At
torney Bassett stated that Commission
cr Barclay was his only witness. The
mayor named Albert Simmons and Geo.
NJ. Rex. city auditor.
Attorney Champin read the alleged
charges and then Mayor Fitzgerald was
called. being sworn by City Solicitor
Blodgett.
The mayor read the items taken from
the pay rolls and sworn go by the city
auditor 10 the effect that parker's name
appeared on the pay roll at az late a
date as July 81 his wages being $3.50 per
week. Then he started to tell OF his visit
10 New Bedford and to tho office OF the
railway company there. but he was
promptly Interrupted by Attorney Bas-
sett. who objected 10 the Introduction OF
heresay evidence
The objection was sustained
Attorney Champlin cndcavored through |
the mayor 10 interject Irrelevant testi-
mony, but Attorney Bassctt argued. and
reasonably so. that the evidence should !
be presented as the committee directed. !
accoring TO law and the rules. Of courts |
OF Justice.
After some legal Eparrlng, the mayor |
and Attorney Champlin declined TO take /
any further part in the proceedings At |
torney Bassett naively remarked that he /
was not surprised at the collapse Of such /
nmsy allegations.
Then was introduced the latest bona /
fde affidavit OF William n. Parker 20 the |
effect that during the month OF July, feel !
ing run down I'm health through extra as /
well as regular service performed. he /
thought he would be benefited by va
cation; he believed he was entitled TO
rest without loss OF time lie consequent
" asked the commissioner who accorded
the same.
Furthermore. Mr.. Parker I'm this. his /
legally subscribed and sworn TO affidavit.
asseverates that upon being granted a
vacation ne went 10 New Bedford on
Visit to a relative firmly Intending 10 re-
turn 20 Pawtucket and 60 my position: /
that ! considered that I was I'm the EN-.
ploy OF the city OF Pawtucket and turned
Into the office OF the said commissioner
Of public works a pay roll including my ]