The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-04
LONG DEBAT: ON
ASSESSORS BILL
Continued from page One.


He held that the tax assessors OF Cen
tral Falls would under the constitutional
right OF necessity be elected by the people
n there was a demand by the required
seven voters.
lie was followed by Mr.. Rattey. who
spoke earnestly In favor OF the bill and
pointed out that the committee on the
judiciary had recommended the indeh-
mite postponement when. at the hearing
OF the bill. there was no objection 10 the
bill but many spoke I'm favor OF it,
Mr.. Leslie. as a taxpayer OF the city OF
Central Falls, objected 10 the passage or
tho bill
Mr.. Rattey argued that manner OF
learning the sentiment OF the people
would be 10 let the people vote on the
proposition 10 amend the city charter
Mr.. Murphy held that the registry
voter had the right to vote for tax asses
sors under the constitution.
THE PROTECTION OF LAW.
Mr.. Spooner spoke and held that there
was a disposition on the part or the
leaders of the majority of the house 10
ignore the fact that other things than
property or capital required the protec-
ton OF the law But the rights OF men
were neglected and refused. He pointed
out that I'm the bill that passed the house
authorizing the town OF Westerly to paf-
chase gas and electric plants IL was OBJ
ligatory on the part OF the town TO pur-
chase certain property but no clause OF
the bill provided that the owners OF the
property should sell. lie held that IL was
a proposition that was TO be submitted to
and determined by the people.
Judge Johnson said il was thought best
by the committee on the judiciary 10
leave the election or the tax assessors or
the city where IL was at present In the
hands of the city council. There was no
good reason for a change. Besides this In
submitting TO the people who would ben
eft by II the registry voters would have
the chance 20 vote on the measure.
MR.. FITZGERALD's VIEWS.
Mr.. Fitzgerald spoke for the bill as
tucket To receive immediate consideration
following the disposition OF the bill under
consideration. He held that the matter
OF amending charter should be submit
ted TO the people, for the people of the
entire city had voted on the matter OF
accepting the charter. II was only fair
and r esonabIe that the amendments
should be made in the same way the
charter was originally adopted.
He went on and analyzed the situation
In his city where the manipulation OF the
personal property tax list. and through IL
the control OF the city council. had be-
come uncomfortable. He believed that in
no other way could REFORM be obtained.
While Mr.. Fitzgerald was speaking the
majority OF the Republicans sought the
seclusion OF the waiting and committee
rooms.
He went on 10 say that in all OF the
towns OF the state save in North Kings
Town, North Providence and Lincoln the
tax assessors were elected by the registry
voters. IL was as reasonable 10 believe
that the tax assessors should be elected
by the people In the cities as In the
towns.
On the question of indefinite postpone
ment the bill was indefinitely postponed
by a roll call vote, IL being a strict party
vote and standing "a to 30.
INDEFINITELY POSTPONED.
A bill In amendment OF chapter 44 OF
the General Laws amending the charter
OF Pawtucket so as to permit the election
OF tax assessors by the people. was In
definitely postponed A bill similar in
character, but with the provision that OBJ
tained I'm the substitute bill TO amend the
charter of the city OF Central Falls, was
indefinitely postponed by a roll call vote
OF 80 10 -.
resolution making appropriation OF
$500 for repairing and furnishing OF the
Newport county Jail was taken up and
after n motion TO take a recess for a
half hour by Mr.. Fitzgerald had been
lost the house at As adjourned on motion
of Judge Johnson.