The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-20

amendment, proposed by Mr.. Rice of
Pawtucket, providing that nothing in the
act shall be construed to extend the tima
OF any franchise heretofore granted to
either OF the companies, and limited by
law.
argument. in which he stated that by the
act for a tax on street railways, which
was passed at the May session, 1898. tho
Union Railroad company unquestonably
was given perpetual franchise. He con-
| tended that the only hope was In the be-
| lief that the Supreme court would pro-
| nounce such franchise unconstitutional.
| In view of this fact, he did not believe
| that the act under discussion. which pro-
!. vided for a 20 years franchise In tho
towns OF Johnston, Foster and Scituate.
should pass in the form in which IL was
before the House. The contract made
between the Union Railroad company an.
the Providence and Danielson Railway
company was an illegaI one. end ono
that should not be endorsed.
This Union Railroad company refusca
TO grant transfer tickets despite the do.
mands of the people, and the legislaturB
cannot say that the company shall grant
transfers, because the legislature has
made tho mistake in the past OF gragt-
ing the demands OF this company.
TO SAVE SOMETHING.
Mr. Rice said that he realized that noa
much can be done, but he did wan< to
make an effort 10 save what littie was
left in the matter of the rights of the
people.
Mr. Blodgett, Of Pawtucket, said THAI
he saw no objection 10 the passage of the
amendment, and, in fact. no hoped il
would pass.
Mr. Arminston. OF East Providence,
said that IL was necessary TO consider
the contract for the sct provided that
the Danielson company may operate
subject, however, TO all tho restrictions
limitations, and agreements in said cons
tract contained.
He said that while tho word was a
strong one, he considered the proposition
as Infamous. He was opposed to tha
amendment, 10 the act. 10 the contract
and 20 the whole matter.
Mr.. Horton, of Cranston. said that hs
had been Informed that there WAS mo-
necessity for the General Assembly tn
confirm or ratfy this contract. and, IL 10
is lawful contract tho state should haYe
nothing to do with it,.
IN FAVOR or THE ACT.
AIR. Ithnson, OF Foster, argued that be.
cause some ether General Assembly had
done certain things which did not meet
with the approval OF some people 1t was
now proposed to prevent eastern Con-
necticut and southern Massachusetts
from being brought into direct connection
with Providence, for the only way that
the new railroad could come into the city
of Providence was over tue tracks OF tha
Union Railroad company.
He said that there was no escape from
the situation, and Il was useless TO In
dulge in theories. Either this Danielson
railroad was 70 como irto Providence or
II was not. II II was TO como In IL mus1
bo over the tracks OF the Union Railroad
company. It was for the Legislature t0
say whether or not it desired 20 siva
Providence tho benefits that would sc-
crue by the coming in Of this road.
Mr. Johnston said that ha believed thad
the contract entered into between tho
two roads was beyond the powers &C
the corporations TO make BY themselves.
and for that reason the ratncation OF
the legislature was needed. He then
made a strong plea In behalf OF the ad-
vantagos n be gained by tho opening oc
the new road There was nothing IN ths
act or in thc contract that could do
any possible harm.
HE WANTED TO POSTPONE.
Mr. R'odsctt OF Pawrucket asked that
the matter be postponed until tomorrow.
IN order that action could be taken on
other matters.
Mr. W. A. H. Grant ~ Providence dit
not agree 20 postponement. and raid this
was the time 10 settle the matter. iio
then spoke in favor OF the Providence agd
panielson railroad.
Mr. Blodgett again asked that the fur.
ther consideration Of the act be post
poned until tomorrow, and Mr. Rico ~
Pawtucket objected 20 postpontmcnI
claiming that everybody WAS ready or
should be.
Mr. Rice then moved that the act bs
indefinitely postponed. and he was scc-
ondcd by Mr. W. A. N. Grant
AFR Blodge,t moved that the act 30
postponed until tomorrow, and said thar
he questioned the courtesy OF the gentie-
man who moved 20 indefinitely postpone