The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-27
IN THE HOUSE

IL was li:05 o'clock when Speaker Ar
mington called the members TO order and
the records of yesterdays session as read
by Clerk Mowry were approved.
lnasmuch as no reports were offered
by any OF rho various committees the
calendar was at once taken up and the
first measure was an act I'm amendment of
chapter 733 OF Public Laws passed at the
January session A. ID. 1900. entitled "An
Act i'm Amendment of Chapter 1887 Of the
Public Laws. passed at the January ses-
sion 1895 entitled Az Act authorizing
the town of Charlestown to hold finan-
cial town meeting. Committee on iu-
dietary recommends passage OF Substitute
A and the indefinite postponement of the
original bill; so voted.
LICENSING LODGING HOUSES.
Mr.. Durfee of Providence presented an
act TO regulate the licensing of public
lodging houses I'm the city of Providence
The act provides that where ten or more
persons hire lodging for 25 cents or less
per night such premises shall be regarded
as public lodging houses, but places hav-
ing tavern license shall be exempted.
The license must particularize the loca-
tion and be issued by the board OF police
commissioners of Providence. upon APP
proval Of the inspector OF buildings as
TO fire escapes. and the superintendent OF
The latter official may order disinfection
at any time. register of the lodgers
must be kept and open at all times to
the inspection of the police. The board
of aldermen Is empowered 10 prescribe
sanitary rules and regulations: the fee
is not stipulated, but left jointly 10 al
dermen and police commissioners The
penalty for violation is not to exceed 500;
no Imprisonment.
The bill and accompanying resolution
passed by the city council of Providence
were referred to the judiciary committee
The lodging house act passed by the
senate on Nov. 81 1901, upon motion of
Senator Freeman has never reached the
house and seems 10 have been lost i'm the
shuttle. That act made II optional with
the various town and city councils as 10
the granting Of such licenses
FLAG DISSERTATION.
The senate act to prevent and punish
desecration OF the flag of the United
states was the cause for patriotic remarks
from number OF members, Mr. Rath-
bun explaining the meaning of the bill
and Offering several minor amendments,
but the third section had only been
reached when Il was finally decided 10
recommit IL 10 the committee
Mr.. Morgan Of Providence believed that
while the act was promoted by patriotic
motives it ought not To pass for IL was
the province OF congress and not OF any
particular state, to legislate as TO desc
Grafton of the national flag. The supreme
court OF Illinois has, within a year ana
a half, decided a similar act unconstItu-
tional Such legislation did not contrI-
butte TO the public safety. To the health.
to the comfort or to the morals OF the
people. The act would he invalid and
prove a nullity. He revered the flag. but
rather than drag IL down 20 be a fetich--
an idol-hc must vote against the bill.
DR.. Garvin declared there was much
logic and common sense I'm the remarks
OF Mr.. Morgan OF Providence Such
question should be dealt with by the
United States government.
Mr.. Mcdonald believed that every true
citizen loved the American nag for what
u reprcsents-not sentiment but sense
It was not possible TO make the iudfvfdu-
al love the flag by compulsory Ieeis-
lation. Never was a more dsgraceful
OF the flag recorded than
when II was raised over the slave pens
and harems OF the Sultan OF Suiu
Mr.. Palmer Of Cranston advocated the |
passage OF the act as recommended by |
The judiciary committee. but Mr. Ogden |
(Contlnued on rsse Two)