davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06
PUBLIC BUILDING DEPARTMENT

The condition OF this department. as
shown by the investigation undertaken
during the past ye2r was one with which
no large private corporation would put
up. Money was shown TO have been ex-
pended recklessly. work done and ma
terials furnishtd at prices largely I'm ex-
cess OF the market price. Neither the SUI
perintendent whose duty by the ordin-
ances is Ito superntend all repairs') nor
the committee on city property superin-
tended many of the repairs upon public
buildings. and, during the investigation
the superintendent, although represent
ed by counsel. refrained from any explain
alton of the charges brought against him.
and the committee under what j can but
deem a mistaken view of the law felt that
they could not call him 70 testify lest
having made him their witness they could
not contradict him. The report of the
committee with the testimony was sub
mitted without any recommendation.
Gentlemen, I ask you TO consider wheth-
er the Providence Gas company or the
New York. New Haven q Hartford Rail-
road company, or the Union Railroad
company. would investigate any one of
their employees in this manner and reach
this lame and impotent conclusion. IL
makes public investigation by
word. If II Is the law that no committee
OF the city council can summons before
II any OF the city's servants and call upon
them for an account of their steward
ship without binding the committee 10 ac-
cept their statements without question.
then the sooner that law is changed the
better.
Meanwhile, 7 advise that the salary Of
the superintendent OF public buildings be
increased to such a sum as Will enable
the city to obtain the services OF an ex-
perienced and able man who will not
shrink from explaining his every official
act In the past few years the superin-
tendent of public buildings has been
charged with the duty OF overseeing the
expenditure of nearly 81 900 600. An eff
Client and active man cannot be found 10 do
such work at siTO9 a year The difference
between a capable and an Incapable man
would save double that salary I'm any
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06
OVERHEAD WIRES

The time provided by ordinances for
placing low tension wires under ground
in the close building district expired Feb.
7, 1901. There is still large number of
wires suspended from buildings and poles
i'm the public streets. The owners en-
tirely disregard the laws regulating the
same and have made no movement to-
wards removing them. | recommend that
the city solicitor be directed to proceed
forthwith against the parties falling to
comply with the requirements OF the ordi-
nances relating 10 low tension wires.
One year ago L called your attention
10 the possibility of placing the wires of
the Union Railroad company under
ground. AS is we'll known this has been
done In Washington in New York and
I'm other American cities. / am informed
by DR.. Carl Barus Hazard. professor of
physics In Brown university, and an au-
thority on such subjects recognized and
honored as well in Europe as in America.
that IL is perfectly practicable In this
city. AS the chairman OF this committee
is no longer a member OF the council, 1
recommend that a new committee be APP
pointed to consider this question.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06
PAWTUXeT WATER

N Is now 10 years since the question OF
hltering the city's supply OF water was
first considered. Meanwhile the apopais-
ton along the river which is the source
OF the water is increasing In dtnsity Rud
it's condition is constant menace 10 the
health OF the city. During the past year
the inspectors, who are most vigllant ss
the performa nee OF their duties. have dis
covered numerous offences against de-
cency on the part OF abuttors upon the
river seriously menacing the health OF
the city.
IL h the duty Of the city 20 furnish the
purest water possible and the problem
OF duration should receive your earliest
attention. The handsome surplus receive
ed from the water rents over and above
the cost OF management and interest on
the water bonds. being for the past year
$252, 76l. leaves the city government no ex-
cuse for failure 10 provide the citizens
with pure water.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06
THE CITY CHARTER

In my message OF last year. I ventured
10 call To your attention the draft OF a
commission appointed by the city council.
and reported on Nov IL 1898 and To ask
your consideration OF the changes pro-
posed thereby IT may be that this draft
ls regarded as too radical a departure
from our present system TO be considered
AT the present time.
IL is perhaps too much to ask that a
city council composed OF two boards and
containing fifty members. all under sal
airy, should voluntarily Weld their funo-
tions 10 a single board OF twenty mem
council which now. through it's commit
tees, discharges most of the executive
functions or the municipality, should give
way 70 boards appointed by the mayor.
but there are certain reforms suggested
I'm this draft which IL seems 10 me must
commend themselves TO all.
There should be conferred upon the city
ampler and more consistent powNs of
OF constant application 10 the state legis-
lature. There should be separation of
the executive and legislative functions
now so inextricably confused.
Estimates of appropriations should be
made up by permanent and experienced
board, rather than by committee of the
legislative body. Contracts for work and
the purchase OF supplies should also be
entrusted 10 a properly constituted board.
instead OF being confded TO various COM
mittees or single heads of departments.
There should be a health department
made up OF men possessing technical
knowledge not TO be expected of mem
bers OF a board OF aldermen There should
he an opportunity for the assessors OF
taxes 10 review their assessments and
amend their list. after the taxpa yers have
been afforded an opportunity to inspect
them. These and many other similar
reforms are suggested in this draft OF a
new city charter. and trust that some of
them may be presented for the consider
alton of the city council during the COM
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06
CONTRACTS WITH CITY OFFICIALS

/ desire 10 call your attention 10 a mat
ter which all cities have al times been
Obliged 10 meet IL IL the dealing on the
part OF members OF the city government
as individuals with the city. There can be
no question OF the law upon the subject
In eaulty no trustee is allowed 10 deal
with himself In matters connected with
MS trust a court of equity will look with
suspicion aud sdisfavor upon all such pro-
eedure' You gentlemen are trustees for
tne CITY, You are here 10 have an eye sim
sie 10 the city's interest
There should be no opportunitv for the
charge that men 20 10 the citv council or
tske city offices 10 further their personal
business with the city. ! believe thar I'm
very many cases Il has resulted IN con-
tracts which were beneficial 10 the city.
but. gentlemen, a is dangerous. I am in
formed by the city auditor that nineteen
hehpefs or the city government dealt
either personally or as members OF frms
with the city during the past year. hes
10 be permitted 10 call 10 your attention
the law OF the state OF New York upon
the subject and 10 suggest that similar
legislation should be obtained I'm this
state
mo member OF the comnon council nv
other city officer shall be intereeted di-
rectly or indirectly, I'm any contract in
whlCh me city is a party, either as prin-
cip%i of surety i'm SUCH contract: nor
shall any member of the common coun-
ell. city officer or salaried employe there
or or MS partner. or any agent, servant
or employe OF such member or officer. or
or the firm OF which ne Is partner.
purchase from or sell TO the city, or any
onicer thereof. amy real or psrsonal prop
erty Tor the use OF the city. or any boa I'd
or onicer thereof. or be interested, direct
~ or indirectly. IN any work TO be per-
FORMED Tor. or services rendered 10 or for
H. or IN any sale, 10 or from said city
or 70 It's onicers, or any person I'm its
Deneif; and any contract made in vio-
lauon OF any of these provisions shall be
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06
STREET WATERING

The city council has recently contracted
for the watering Of those streets or the
city on which the cars Of the Union Rail-
road company run by the company. fur-
and having thirteen cents a mile for SER
vice While it Is undoubtedly true thet
streets on which oars are run AZ rapid
rate are more In need OF watering than
those I'm which there are no cars. vet IA
ia universally admitted that all macad-
am streets need watering. not only for
the good condition Of the street. hut elso
10 prevent the spread or disease by the
M sse minati0n of germs.
should be- glad n the income OF the
city would permit the watering or every
street IN the city at the city's expense,
but as that II ~ the present time I'm
possible would recommend that the
city furnish water free TO All public wa
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06
HIGHWAYS

regret TO say that the city council
during the past year returned to the dis
Sl,.,.I,, SS[Sul,eo sEslem or building streets from
borrowed money; Nearly every one OF
the streets so built were laid out through
vacant fields. IL is simply calling upon
the city 10 assist I'm a real estate spectIla-
tion without sharing the profits for a
has been demonstra ed many times that
the increased tax receipts I'm such cases
do not nav for the fixed charges incurred
on the loans, while I'm most cases the
streets are rebuilt several times before
the original cost is paid
Building highways on borrowed money
Is bottomless pit. there Is no end to
II hut bankruptcy The city issued It's
first highway bonds In 1894 and IN six
years the highway debt amounted TO
-annrnnriation OF $l1Sn00 for sinking funds
and interest and in many ses the high
WAYS constructed from this money have
repeat my recommendation OF one year
ago that this city obtain from the gen
eral assembly permission 10 assess the
cost of the construction OF highways upon
the abdttinR owners. providing for nay
ment continued over a period OF from
i've to seven years
This the city council OF few years ago
was on the point or doing when the de-
CiSion OF the supreme court of the United
states IN Norwood Us. Baker GI2 L. =
2SO was rendered and was considered to
have declared such assessments Illegal
\ careful reading or that decision how
ever, falls TO Justify such conclusion.
but any doubt about the matter Is dis
PEELED by the opinion OF the same hiRh
court I'm French vs. Barber Asphalt Paw
ing company. rendered April % 1901 IN
which the court I'm most exhaustive de-
cision states that the apportionment OF
the entire cost OF a street pavement upon
abutting lots according 10 their 'front.'
age may be authorized by the legiSla- -
ture. and does not constitute a taking
of property without due process Of law.
] commend this decision to those who In
the last CITY council expressed surprise
that the MAYOR should be ignorant that
such assessments had been declared in
,.aIfa IN the surname gomrf
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06
CITY HALL

The removal Of the office Of the frs
commissioners and possibly OF other a.
psrtments from the City Hall. presents
an opportunity for n new assignment Of
rooms In that building Ths board % can
vsssers and registration. the department
% health and the registrar OF births
marriages and deaths desire and need ad-
ditionsl room. would recommend the ap-
pointment of a committee 10 consider this
matter OF its reference 20 the committee
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06

When the city can congratulate itself
upon its comparative freedom from small
poN during n year when A has prevailed
more extensively than for years In neigh
boring parts of the state and I'm surround
ing cities. vet the superintendent Of
health attributes this largely TO fortunate
circumstances, as he estimates that a
maioriy Of our population are unprotect-
ed by vaccination The last general vac
cination in the city WAS I'm 1885. and the
time has come when unless it Is repeated
an epidemic OF smallpox may he expect
ed The appropriation for this depart
mcnt II. however, entirely inadequate for
this work.
owing. also. 10 lack OF funds. II has
been impossible 20 furnish hospital sacili-
ties for persons suffering with scarlet
fever or diphtheria The superintendent
has been Obliged OF refuse 20 send cases
10 the hospital, even when N was almost
a matter OF life and death with the
patient Hospiatl facilities for communal
cable diseases should not he ouriailed.
hat rather increased. and separate rooms
for temporary isolation Of doubtful caaes
are much needed. The Rhode Island hos
pital and st. Joscph's hospital are doing
a work which, 81 Il we're not for them
the city would be obliged 10 do at very
largo expense Whenever the revenue
or the dty will permit the approprla ion
for hospital service should be largely In
creased.
Another work which has had 10 be post
poned becauss OF lack of funds ls the
medical inspection OF schools snch an
inspection has proved very useful in
other cities. and " Is desired 90 begin IL
he's. in a small way. with one inspector.
and .dd othors az the work demands H.
It Is desirable that this inspection shou'6
lie under the health departmsnt.
comfort station. as the apologies Tor sush.
which we're not long since transferred 70
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06

the health department have Icsr re-
moved. the superintendent hasias sourd
II impossible TO properly maintnin them.
Some suitable provision OF this nature
Should be provided: II ~ nfebs'sie that
such condition cannot he pai hpcled ia
any city OF this size. But with our pres-
ent Income none OF these necessities can
be provided
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06
Magic Hair Stain

For brown or black; prepared BY
GEORGE oRMsRY. Wig Maker End
Hairworker. iss fremont street. Boston.
N f. simple. safe and easily applied. con.
tains no lead poisons; use Il once ana
you will never use any other BLAND
INC & BLANDING, g weybosset street;
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06

tering carts on condition that their
charge for street watering De reduced by
been paid by them 10 the city for water.
In this way the city would be treating all
real estate holders in the city alike so far
as furnishing water for street purposes
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06

We. the pndsrasned. DC hereby aGs
a. .,.p,nA the money on \ W-cent ootus
es sssss wsrrsnisd syr,ys of Tar e y
ss,,s 20 eyre your cough or cold. We
also guarantee . Sc,oouls 10 prove s"'-
N.sptuS SfrASpiSe. a. ". FESsyn
xsvvou. surrH q Co. n. v. OD0krfk&s
T. r. LvTHHR
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06
Deals With Matters of Vital
Importance to CitiZenS--
Publicity He Gave His
Views on Transfer QueS-
tion Largely Responsible
for Increased Majority--
Police Commission, Taxa
ton and Many Other Ques-
tiOnS Discussed.

Mayor Granger read his second inau-
gural message to the new city council
today. It is an extremely interesting
document and is deserving OF a careful
reading by every citizen. The full text
OF the message follows:
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06
TEAR on INITIATION.

The whole matter was introduced and
passed within one week. Immediately az
ter and not before election. showing
haste IN carrying the measure through
which Was only 10 be accounted for by
The fear of public agitation 80 was also
the evident reason for its introduction Inn
medlately after. instead OF before the mu-
nlcipal election. Measures which will not
bear q fuli discussion. gentlemen. and q
discussion before election. are generally
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06
FINANCES

While the financial condition OF the city
is not I'm every respect all that we could
desire IL is yet subject of congratula-
tion that the net debt OF the city Is less
than at the close of the fiscal year ending
30 September 1900. The figures are as
follows:
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06

II Thi. Signature IL Dor of the gcnuius
* EEH Laxative Br0no' 'Quinine TAais
~ ~ <r/1NSy~prhs he rsnsd n
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06
MAYOR GRANGER'S MESSAGE
READ TO THE CITY COUNCIL.

dence OF the system OF transfers In use
practically I'm every other city In the
country, and called for the gratuitous
granting on the part OF the city OF Valu-
able privileges. The matter was allowed
TO remain upon the table of the common
council undebated FOR months. although
known 20 he a question uppermost I'm the
minds OF the citizens. The result OF the
last municipal election was. | believe.
rightly considered TO be an expression
of the voters OF the city upon the trans
fer question, and, II that be so, the ticket
transfer system was approved, and the
station system condemned by a vote OF
nearly three TO one.
Immediately following this election the
council indefinitely postponed the bill pro-
viding for the transfer station system.
and passed resolution requesting the re-
peal by the general assembly OF the
Transfer Station Act (so-called) and the
passage OF legislation providing for free
ticket transfers.
TICKET TRANSFERS WITHOUT A
STRING.
= Whatever the outcome may he, It cam
not longer be claimed that the views OF
the people OF the city upon this question
are unknown. II has been fully discussed
and both sides ably advocated I'm the daily
press of the city and In public meetings.
The people have spoken, and believe the
time is not far distant when the railroad
company will concede their demands; ;
but when IL comes IL must he what the
people have asked for. free ticket trans
fers, with no string" attached thereto.
i do not believe that careful examina-
ton or the acts OF 1896 and 1898. I'm re-
lation TO street railways will warrant the
conclusion that any contract has been
entered into between the Union Railroad
company and state which prohibits fur
ther action upon the part OF the state TO
compel a general system OF free transfers.
The contract authorized by the act OF 1895
becomes effective only when the city OF
Providence and the Union Railroad COM
pany agree upon a certain ocation for a
central transfer station which agreement
we are thankful to say has never been
made.
So. too. the act of 1898 on examination.
proves 10 contain no clause prohibiting
legislation providing that all the street
railway corporations within the state
should under certain conditions, give
transfer tickets. II does not do, gentle
men. to always accept the Interpretation
OF an act or a contract which may be put
upon II by parties whose interests are ad-
verse 10 the city's.
The Union Railroad company and the
other corporations whose very existence
is dependent upon exercising their priv
ileses upon the highways of our city
can be depended upon 10 assert tfIefr OWL
rights without the city councils under
taking to look after them. and as in a
recent case 10 unwarrantably increase
them. The city should claim 10 the farth-
est extent its right in relation TO all pub
lie franchises.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06

on additional quarters for the recorder OF
deeds.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06

the present rate on property valued
about 81, $50 900.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-06

bonded .. sl6.s2i 900 90 s16 $4,000 90
Floting ........,. 4S''fW 40 io'0Vf 80
Total debt NI,32l 700 A. SlosMls'9Oa M O5 90 80
Sinking funds. S,2},o2 81 %''@o''V- y
Nat debt sl4OSs, e3s IA s1i.1sS,eO1 81
Water debt. in .o,, ono M
cluded in above 5,G9OW wv oVll'VVo W
- - :, - /, 20 eo, "a
Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-06-07
killing a Bun without a weapon.

Cayetano, a famous Spanish toreador,
once was strelling across a meadow
with a couple of friends when his at
tention was attracted by an old and
Infatuated bull which was galloping to-
ward them with lowered head and
erect tail. Cayetano had no weapon,
not even a cane, but he seized dust
coat which one of his friends was car
rying over his arm. AS soon as the
bull got close to them Cayetano babe
his companions make their escape
while he engaged the animals atten-
ton. Using the coat as a capa, he
drove the bull crazy with fury. step
ping aside with the deftest agility at
each of the animals charges. In this
manner he caused the bull to turn
sharply in the midst of its onward
rushes until finally an ominous crack
was heard, and the bull fell in a heap.
with its backbone broken by the sud
den wrench given by the animals alb
rupt swerve.
Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-06-07
SITUATION IN PHILIPPINES.
Wright Tells of What Portions Are
Not Yet Under Civil

Washington, June 7.-Secretary
Root yesterday made public the fol
lowing cablegram from Acting Gov.
ernor Wright. of the Philippines
Manila, May %. 1902.
Secretary of War, Washington:
with reference to your cablegram
of 18th, outside of Moro county only
portion of archipelago not organized
under civil government are Lepanto
Bontoc, Batangas, Laguna Principe
Infanta, Mindoro, Samar and the
Paraguan and other small groups No
armed insurrection in any of them
No reason SO far as relates to peace
ful conditions why civil government
in all may not be now established
Special governments for Bontoc and
Lepanto, inhabited exclusively by
peaceful Igorrotes. will be organized
IN few days. Will organize civil
government in Laguna Immediately
Batangas, formerly organized. was
turned over to military authorities
by Philippine commissions act No.
173. Will repeat same to take effect
July 4. Only reason for not giving
act immediate effect is that many
people in this province have only re-
Gently returned to their homes, and
in order to prevent possibility of suf-
fering think best to have military
look after them until date named, be-
cause latter have perfected organize
ton, which civil authorities lack.
Crops now being planted will mature
by Aug. l. While Principe and In
fanta could be organized at once. diff
ficult to look after them until receive
vessels now building, say Sept /;
few inhabitants and unimportant.
MindoTa and Paraguan group, large
islands, sparsely populated and diff
cult of access, without vessels. For
these reasons think best to leave mil
itary temporarily in charge of, be-
cause they have transportation IA
cilities. Under Spanish regime Bon
toe, Lepanto, Principe. Infanta and
the Paraguan group did not have pro
yincial government, commanded by
military officers, and Mindoro was at
tached to Martinique.
Major General Adna R. Chaffee
concurs in above.
(Signed) Wright"
Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-06-07
HIS own Medicine Chest.

The surgeon of an English ship of
war was noted for the monotony of bis
prescriptions. He apparently eonsid-
cred salt water taken externally or
internally as cure for all the ills that
flesh is heir to. for he ordered his pa
tients to take it, no matter what might
be the malady presented to his notice.
One day he went sailing with a par
ty of friends and in the course of a
squall the boat was upset, and the
surgeon came near being drowned
WELL" said the captain of the ship
when he was told of the narrow es-
cape. I'm glad you were saved, but
it hardly seems possible in any event
that you could have really drowned in
your own medicine chest, now does it,
doctor?p