The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-12
EAST PROVIDENCE.

The topic OF absorbing interest at the
present time Is the proposed change In
the form of government of this town.
Some OF the leading men OF the town ad-
vocate a city form of government, some
annexation 10 Providence. while still an
other class believe In sticking TO the
town form of government The town is
surely approaching transitory stage,
but as yet there are no signs which may
be relied upon TO indicate which way
public sentiment will turn. one man
said this morning that possibly IL VIII
not make much difference and the ma
chine" will adopt the form IL thinks VIII
serve IL best. The present conditions
are satisfa ctory TO the boss and probably
council of nine would be just as SUBJ
servient.
The petition in circulation has already
been signed by upwards of t6o electors
and a town meeting March at 10 a. m.
special town meeting. requires the sigma
tures OF s per cent of the electors, which
at this time amounts to about 1ss.
The petition in substance asks that
each district be provided with two polling
booths, IL found necessary and that five
councilmen be chosen from the First dis
trict and two each from the others. The
representatives to the state Legislature
are requested to secure the adoption OF
this measure.
In regard to the first district II may be
interesting to some to know that this
district is three times as large. In point
of numbers, as any other district In the
state, also that many do not have the
chance to cast their vote under present
conditions.
one polling booth for district OF this
size is entirely inadequate and no delay
Is necessary for deliberation concerning
this measure at least, said a citizen to-
day.
In regard to increasing the representa-
ton in the council chamber IL is well TO
remember that six towns at least in this
u
ulation barely half OF that OF East Prov
idence
some OF the residents of East Provi-
dence seem inclined In some respects TO
be iust a trife behind the times and are
content TO be led by the nose In great
many ways.
AT the present time there seems 10 be
much ignorance in some quarters In ro-
gard TO town affairs and little ambition
TO investigate the pro and con OF town
topics.
one we'll known politician remarked
that the present petition. II successful.
would simply result In the substitution OF
a 'yellow dog for brass monkey"
Meaning that IL would not weaken the
machine in the least. but rather make
the success OF the machine more assured.
However that may he the petition is a
forward step In progress and II is an in
disputable fact that electors should not
run the risk OF losing their vote through
a corner" on booths and that nine men
can accomplish more than five.
The action OF the special meeting r.
awaited by those interested in a better
ment OF local conditions With much In
terest Such a thing as adjourning a
special meeting has been evoked by the
machine before. Such a course however
az the present time would be hardly at
tempted. IL is thought.
SOCIETIES
Howard Lodge knights OF Pythias
held a busy meeting last night in Tobln
block and transacted much important
business
The Imperial Social club held its weekly
meeting last night I'm the Flat Iron"
The basket ball committee reported the
success of this seasons team. Basket
ball has become very popular among Inn
perial mon and several good teams have
been organized among the members.
The Ivy Social club held its regular
meeting last night and transacted routine
business
Canonicus Lodge. order ~ United
workmen. held SIS weekly meeting last
night