The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-01
GOV. GREGORY'S MESSAGE
TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Affairs Of The State Discussed and Sew
era| Valuable Suggestions Offered.
Completion Of New State House.


vote failed TO take into account the fact
that the rejection of the revision was ac-
companied by the return OF General
Assembly which was opposed 10 con-
stitntional convention By an overwhelm-
ing majority. On the other hand IL was
reasonable 10 believe that the failure OF
the so-cailed revised constitution 10 be
approved by the people was due 10 the
disinclinatlon OF the electorate TO pass
upon so many changes AT one time and TO
the combination OF elements arrayed
against different features of the PROPOSE
tion. The result on November o last seems
10 Justify this latter'view. At all events,
II appears 10 me fair 10 assume that no
sentiment ia behalf OF constitutional
convention is possessed by more than
small minority of our people, but that
the great majority are prepared 10 con-
tinue 10 endorse propositions In amend
fnent from time To time maze I'm accord
ance with the method provided in the
constitution itself
PUBLIC WORK AND IMPROVEMENTS
With the record OF the General Assem-
bly, for many years past of care and in-
telligence In the matter OF public ex-
penditures and the sound condition of
the state finances at the present time,
II seems unnecessary for me TO address
priations. Many OF you have had long
experience with the financial propositions
which are presented annually. You have
doubtless come 10 take II for granted at
the outset that you Will be asked 10 APP
propriate more money than can reason
ably be granted and you are also familiar
with the difficulties created by the i'm
expediency of making appropriations at
a particular time for public services and
ffs,r. fa.t
ly demanded. have no doubt that YOU
Will succeed In pursuing a wise middle
course which shall result I'm meeting
most of the pressing demands, preferrng
10 err on the side OF accomplishing too
little rather than laying yourself open
TO criticism for extravaganza. At the
same time really urgent conditions can
not be creditably disposed of by neglect-
ing or avoiding the problems they create
IL is natural that the cost OF conduct-
ing the departments should grow i'm pro-
portion 10 the increase of business which
is inevitable in a state making rapid
progress in population. industry, and the
general conditions OF an advancing civil
ization. So long as the revenues of the
state continue to increase relatively you
are plainly justified In providing liberal
ly for the work OF administration re-
qured. II is one OF the duties OF the ex-
-
and while engaging In this task from
month To month have sometimes
thought that there was 10 be remarked
"a tendency 10 magnify their work on the
part of some of the departments beyond
the public needs. ] am confident that re-
quests for increased appropriations will
be carefully scanned and reasons therefor
required In detail
Meantime public improvements long
.l...l
ought not TO be set aside. Conspicuous
among examples of these is the PROPOSE
tion to enlarge the providence county
court house and make alterations Incl
dent to the growth of business during a
quarter OF century. The library and
the storage room for records and papers
are overcrowded The removal of the
sixth district court to the old State
House is only on inconslderable relief
and besides cannot be considered as
permanent measure since that loca tion is
highly inconvenient and the makeshift
simply emphasizes the demand for the
prompt execution OF plans for the extern
sion of the court house.
Again, the IS companies OF the brigade
in the city of Providence. are still with
out a permanent home. although the
state Is I'm possession OF land for site
and working drawings FOR an armory
a ConSlucTdDie outlay from
which no advantage is being derived while
the work of the military department con-
tinues TO be embarrassed by the condi-
tion.
In considering the needs of certain de-
partments further along in these pages
/ shall take occasion to call your atten-
tion TO other public work that should be
undertaken without delay.
While some experience must be had 20
enable you to determine what and how
many employees will be required for the
care OF fhe valuable property represent
cd In this State House. Il seems TO be
Immediately necessary To install a libra
rian who shall be the custodian OF the
books and archives not intimately identi-
fed with the department offices.
The meeting or the General Assembly
at this date makes IL impracticable for
many OF the departments TO more than
approximate the results of their years
work i'm season for presentation TO YOU
through the medium of the executive
message. the state year closing on Dec
81. In the following survey OF the finan-
cial and other operations of the state
government through Its several depart
ments you will take this fact into con-
sideration;
FINANCES.
Balance in treasury. Dec. soiSss.s 52.sn Is
Receipts from Jan. ]. 1900. to
Dec 20. l90O. .................... i.i65, ,9S1 90
s1.5lS,53S IS