The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-31

The committee was called TO order about
s:so BY Chairman william Gleason. and
& members were found to be present.
Michael A. Rattigan was named by a
member from the Third ward TO succeed
Arthur l.. flaming and was elected. ana
Immediately Mr.. Waterman rose TO a
question of privilege.
lie said that at the last meeting when
ne objected to the payment OF bill for
$io.s22,i7 OF the United states Mil supply
company, the chairman OF the commit
tee on accounts. accused him OF ntcrfer-
Ing In something that did not concern
him and that he was objecting on the
ground OF only superficial examination.
ITO prove that was Justified In making
such objection, I have some figures TO
exhibit He then started TO give some
Of the figures OF the bill and compare
the amounts on the bids when Mr. Conn
stock arose and inquired how the iues-
tion OF privilege was involved In this The
chair agreed with Mr. Comstock In ruling
Mr.. Waterman out OF order and Mr.. Wa
terman contended he was within his
rights TO square himself before the board
The matter was set forth In the pub
lie print" said Mr.. Waterman, ''and I
claim the privilege OF giving this ex-
planation.''
President Gleason ruled that the mat
ter was not properly question OF prIyi-
lege. and MIR. Waterman promptly appeal
ed from the decision. t4h..
n do not object to Mr. Wa.etnan
stating his question OF privilege" Mr..
Beagan said, but these matters nce con-
cerned with the bill which was referred
20 tho executive committee. and the gep-
tleman should wait until the COMMITTEES
has reported. Then II he thinks there
is any imputation 20 be answered, that
u the time for his question OF prlvi-
iege.'
The gentleman IL bringing up matters
that were referred to the committee
said Mr. Comstock and that is why
object to his statement Of privilege"
This particular matter Mr.. Water.
man stated. hasn't been referred 10 any
committee. and II cant be-
The president repeated his decision that
the question OF privilege could not he
raised by Mr.. Waterman.
Then. on those grounds. | might he
barred out OF this meeting tonight alto
gether." Mr.. Waterman said.
You could be barred out said Presi-
dent Gleason, III any charges concern
inR you we're pending. until the COM
mittee had brought In It's report"
A roll call was called for on the ques-
fion OF sustaining the chairs decision and
4 resulted. ayes 10, noes n. and Mr.. Wa
ferman continued
EXCESSIVE CHARGES
lie said:
AZ the last meeting OF this committee
I objected 10 the paying OF bill amount
ing TO $10.scc.i7, and stated as my reasons
for holding up the bill. that to my mind
the charges were excessive and that an
unrcasonably large amount OF goods had
bc<n purchased also that IL was my
opinion that some OF these goods had not
been delivered. The chairman OF this
committee took me TO task and stated
that he felt that I was acting unjustly
in so doing, and that II seemed to him
that the gentleman from the Fifth ward
r. doing Just what he has done before In
that he is raising objection to bills after
only superficial investigation. and that
he knew the bill was correct. and that
the goods had all been delivered. To
substantiate what I said at the last
meeting OF this committee. and 10 show
that I was then acting for the best inter-
est OF the school committee and taxpay-
eTs. as stated at that time. I wish to
say:
First-In regard TO excessive charges.
that there is hardly an item on the biil
covering over fve pages y.nat does not