The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-25

the people. The principle OF home rule
I was. when IL was tostered In the homes
of the people OF the colonies, what
brought about the revolution that lost
this country 10 England. The people OF
. this city want that right restored TO
them and they seek those privileges that
I they are entitled to.
He said IL would be agreeable TO him
] TO have the proposition submitted to the
people. If the people wanted the bill
! changed they would say so. and so far as
\ he was concerned he was not speaking
/ for himself. for i'm such an event the ap-
/ pointment OF the commissioners would be
/ vested in another man. He believed that
| the matter should receive the careful con-
| sideration OF the committee and the
bodies TO which the committee is respon-
sibe
MR.. COMSTOCKS REMARKS.
Richard 3. Comstock spoke fervently
in favor OF the bill. He pointed out that
the present law deprived the people OF
the rights and privileges they were en-
titled to. He believed there was no
place I'm the world that could parallel
the conditions existing in Rhode Island.
He believed II was stated that In other
states that police commissioners existed.
This was true because such commissions
exist. but there is semblance OF home
rule In these states because the COVER
nors can make and do make the appoint
ments.
/ But I'm Rhode Island It is different. for
/ the appointment is made by 20 senators
I from outside towns In the city OF Prov
/ idence the members or the city council
are chosen by select class Of voters,
! but I'm the towns the members of the
! senate, as We'll as elsewhere, are elected
I by all 1.-the voters and not by any class.
/ The members OF the council are re-
sponsble To the select voters OF the city.
but the members OF the senate are re-
sponsible only To all the voters of the
towns in which they reside The commits
sion may bo the best OF citizens, OF re-
pute and Of wealth and standing, but
they are responsible to no one. These com
missioners have the control Of a large
amount Of property and OF finances of the
city and the people have no repeal and no
redress, no matter what the result. no
matter what the consequence. So long as
the conditions exist so long will the peo-
pie OF the city protest against this meth
Cd of control by outside influences, be-
yond the control OF the people.
MAYOR GRANGER.
| Congressman d. L. ID. Granger
\ stated the history OF the movement and
I cited that the chief cause OF complaint
seemed TO be with members OF the city
council. The resolution that was present
\ ed 10 the general assembly was passed by
! the common council ana when IL came TO
the board Of aldermen IL was given
hearing but against the protests OF some
/ OF the members. There was a statement
made that the members OF the city coun-
1 ell had considered the members. but there
/ was no record of such meetings and the
meetings, ~ such were held, thcyy were
held secreteiy.
/ II had been stated that the central
! district OF the city was I'm a peculiar con-
| dition and that vice was rampant. IT
! this fact was so then the man I'm control
! OF the administration Of the police dis
/ trlct was responsible for Il. The chief
/ agitation for the police commission was
! the captain of police in charge OF the
! central district and when the police com
mission was created u made this cap
tain chief uf police and this was the mar
who had had charge OF the district and
who was responsible for the conditions
therein. He spoke OF the hearing held
by the board Of aldermen. at which Ar
mold Green made a bitter protest against
the passage OF the bill then before the
general assembly. saying that II was bet
ter TO be governed poorly and govern
ones self than 10 be governed by others.
He too, was of the opinion that so
long as the commission was permitted TO
exist responsible TO the governor. and
created and controlled by the state SEN
ate, there would De dissatisfaction and
there would be expression by the people
year after year.
Col Henry j. Spooner spoke briefly i'm
favor ofthe BILL which placed the board
in position OF responsibility TO the
mayor and tho people Of tho city.
Patrick }. Mccarthy stated that the
board was. 60 his mind the result of po-
huCal cNpediCnCN. without anything Co
commend and great deal 90 condemn 10.
Tor II did not give 20 the people the
rights they had inherited There was no
objection 90 The members OF the COM
mission as mon and 90 the members OF
there was a purpose TO criticize the law
because 10 was OF no distinct benefit 90
anybody, and 10 was hardship on thou
sands or people OF the state. He COM
siderod that tho commits don should ho
appointed by the mayor and rcspourlble I
60 him and tho citizens.
OTHER SPEAKERS
Councilman Peterson spoke along INC T.
same line. saying that hc was ia favor
Of commissions. but be- wanted the COM /
missions appointed by and responsible 10 /
the mavor and the city council
Heprescntative Jamcs J Nolan. Jr be- .
heVed the city Was responsible and could /
govern itself lie believed ln the prfn-
cples of home rule and BE- believed thst I
a community that hos been able o. build 4
the colleges. schools ana churches that i
Providence had built and had ~ ma seed th,. I
wealth that Providence had was cnpr bl. i
OF eovernlng herself and OF administering \
her own anaira
Councilman Dunn was n believer I'm the
principles 0f home rule and he went fur-
ther and said that be did not believe that
a majority OF the members OF the city