The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-13
RHODE ISLAND REPRESENTED

Contrary TO expectation. the national
assembly of the l.. A. W., held at Tor
rington, Conn, yesterday, was free from
all friction, and the prospects OF the
league are now much brighter than they
have been i'm some time While IL Ia
true that many delegates came TO the as
sembly looking for the head of Mr.. Abb
bott Bassett. his decapitation was pre-
vented by the holding of a conference,
at which concessions were made by both
sides. and the venerable secretary was
unanomusly elected secretary-treasurer.
New York the greatest opponent OF Mr..
Bassett supported him, and for once
New York and Massachusetts,, the lion
ana the lamb. lay down together"
The assembly proved harmonious on
every question. The disposition was to
do all that could possibly be accomplished
for the good OF the league as a whole.
No measure was rushed but everything
was given calm consideration. Many
measures OF vital Importance were con-
sidered, including the extension OF the
road Improvement system, touring ana
side paths.
The organization In today on q business
basis, free from debt, and in excellent
condition TO do the work which will be
necessary In order to rejuvenate IL. There
were no cliques at work, and the officers
were elected on account OF their business
ability, and not because they controlled
so many votes. which might be traded.
Messrs Howell. Beding, Perkins and
Small, the executive committee, are young
and energetic men.
A new proposition for an official organ
was submitted, and will be considered by
the executive committee.
The delegates separated with the high
est praise for the Torrington Wheel club
and the citizens as whole, who did
everything 10 make the visitors stay
pleasant. The delegates were entertain
ed at a banquet in City hall last evening.
The secretarys report showed the pres
ent membership was 1052e, a great fall
ing off from the membership of year
ago. when the figures were A,S2s. New
York Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania
have the largest membership, embracing
81 percent of the total
Constitutional amendments were accept
ed. combining the positions OF treasurer
and secretary, so that hereafter IL VIII
be secretary-treasurer. instead OF two
Offices The amount of money TO be paid
by divisions 10 the national body was
made 20, instead OF 25 cents per capita,
which will give the divisions more work.
ing capital than heretofore. The auditor
was made a national officer. A salary or
so much per capita was voted the secre-
tary-treasurer, who Is TO be elected at
the annual assembly.
The proposal to do away with divisions
was defeated and divisional lines remain
unchanged.
The election OF officers resulted In the
choice OF these members of the execu-
tive committee:
President, w. A. Howell. Connecticut;
first vice president Milo NJ. Belding, Jr.,
New York: second vice president, III. L..
Perkins Rhode Island; secretary-treas-
urer, Abbott Bassett. Massachusetts,; au-
ditor G.. w. Smith, Maine.
After the election, Mr.. Abbott Bassett
rotinnrtshed all claims which he had,
10 a sum OF almost $1,000. owed TO him
by the league. for which rising vote
of thanks was given him by the assem-
bly,.