The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-20

ton TO report 20 the mouse a Dill present-
ed by Mr.. Spooner providing for the call
ing Of a constitutional convention was.
because OF the bill having reported by
the committee, withdrawn.
VETO POWER RESOLUTION.
Then came a resolution presented by
Mr.. Fitzgerald. discharging the commit
tee on special legislation from turther
consideration OF resolution proposing
an amendment 10 the constitution OF the
state comforting the veto power upon
the governor.
Mr.. Fitzgerald stated that inasmuch as
the committee on special Legislation mao
reported on one matter he assumed the
committee would continue TO consider the
business before II and, II he had reason
able assurance the committee wou,a
make report at an early date ne wouiu
withdraw the resolution.
Mr. Brown stated that as minority
member OF the committee on speciai legis-
lation he would state that he had uhaer-
stood, In connection with the meeting OF
tho committee held this morning, there
was a feeling that the committee would
act on the matter before II as quickly
as was consistent.
Mr.. Fitzgerald asked Mr.. Wilbour.
chairman OF the committee on special leg
islation. II the committee would give res-
sonable assurance that the Dill would De
reported In a reasonable time.
COULD MAKE NO PROMISE.
Mr.. WiIbour stated he could not make
promise for the committee. he could not
say when Il would be reported IL IL were
reported at all
Mr. Mccarthy asked II the committee
would give assurance the bill would be re-
ported back at this session.
Mr.. Wilbour replied he could not give
any assurance OF any report
Mr. Mccarthy stated that the posltioh
OF the committee was evidently one OF un-
willingness to consider the matters perore
II. IL was not 20 be considered Tor mo-
ment that the committee had hnal oispo-
sition OF the measures before IT, Inc
committee was 10 consider the merits OF
the bills and to make known 10 the
house what was its belief but there wes
no reason for a committee to assume
that Il had the powers OF a fun bench ana
that its disposition was inal
The committee had had time to give the
bin the consideration that was due TO IL,
and as IL had not considered the Dill ana
was not willing TO make assurance the
bin would be considered, II should be dis
charged. He believed that In matters so
important the committee should give
priority of consideration, but there was
evidently no such intention on the part
OF the committee.
AN IMPORTANT BILL
Mr.. Mcdonald declared that the bill
before the committee was OF great
deal OF importance. The efforts OF the
committee in the premises reminded MIN
OF one Of the features OF one OF Charles
Dickens story, In that II did not accom-
plish what IL was expected 70 PERFORM
He had been told by a Republican.
member OF the last general assembly.
that Il was a fact the Republicans had
ACCOMPLISHED all that was desired at the
post election session and IL was proposed
at that time by the Republicans to simply
do nothing In the way OF legislation ana
TO adjourn the general assembly early.
To his mind the programme then out
lined was being carried out by the Re-
publcans and the attitude Of the COM
mittee was apparently In line with that
policy.
Mr. Mccarthy asked Chairman Wilbour
OF the committee on special legislation
what was the reason for his not being
able to make definite reply to questions
as TO probable action.
Mr. wilbour made reply to Mr. Nc
Carthy that those who had accused the
committee OF which he was chairman
had done so on supposltion. The com
mlttee had great deal to do and the
committee was disposed to give matters
before IL ample consideration. There
was no reason for the committee to rail-
road measures through for the purpose
OF meeting the demands OF some OF the
members
Mr.. Mccarthy stated there was no de-
sire for the committee to railroad mat
ters through. The committee was not
the body to finally determine any legis-
latlon, although the house transacted a
great deal OF business by committee. but
the committee, by It's method OF keep
ing bills safely within the possession of
the committee would give no one oppor-
tunity to act either for or against a
bill.
MIR. SPoONER's REMARKS.
Mr.. Spooner spoke to considerable
| length He stated that he had had con-
siderable experience on committees In
| his legislative career. and he was fam
| fliar with methods. He did not
| understand that the committees differed
| greatly from committees OF which he had
been a member. Ii was maintained by
| the members OF the committee that the
committee wanted to give ample consid-
eraion TO measures before IL. because the
| measures were OF great Importance. That
was a good policy, 80 far as considera-
ton was concerned but the committed
was to determine whether or not the
matter contained In the bills was suffi-
ciently Importance for the house TO take
action on.
To. his mind the bill contemplated BY
the resolution "a Of much Importance
The bills that hSd been reported by the
committee were trihing. To say tina
bill conferring the veto power on tn,
governor was not OF Importance was Il
discount the principles involved and 4
determine that he viii and demand o
the people IL was not even necessar,
for the committee to make but one re-
port The committee could report favor
ably or not, but II was desired that tn
peoples request be given some considera
tion.
lie believed the time was coming. un
less his impressions were vague an,
vuh ~. yUht avI tui