The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-21
PREAMBLE ACCEPTED.
W. c. 7. U. Take fiction on the Question
OF Block island Licenses,

The Providence Women's Christian
Temperance union met yesterday after
noon In the small hall OF the Y. NJ. c. A
building, Mrs. T.. II. Jackson presiding
1t was announced that large number
OF comfort bags had been prepared by the
members and sent to naval station at
Newport for distribution to sailors. 1t was
also announced that the union had taken
part In the movement TO place a temper
ance card in the street cars. The work
being performed by Mrs. Sarah q. Smith
and others at the state institutions at
Cranston was commented on
After reading of extracts from different
writer's relative to the work OF the union
the following preamble and resolution
was introduced by Mr.. Francis Gallaghtr:
Whereas, 1t has come 10 our notice
that the people OF New Shoreham. Block
Island. have been disenfranchised in re-
gard to no license by the action OF the
legislature OF 1902 in enacting chapters
1887 and 1883; therefore, be IL
Resolved, That the legislature OF 1903
OF this state is respectfully urged to re-
peal chapters 1887 and 1888 of the statutes
wherein tht vote of New Shoreham is re-
yersed and the will OF the people defeated.
and II further respectfully urges that the
previous acts and PARTS OF acts which
were repealed by said chapters 1887 and
1888 be re-enacted."
II was declared by Mr. Gallagher that
several organizations had taken similar
action upon the matter. especially those
connected with religious bodies. He said
that the resolutions presented by him
were adopted I'm part at meeting OF
Methodist ministers held i'm this city He
also read the following statement, signed
by Horace A. Roberts Frank A. Kent. b.
y. Mitchell, J. L. Littleheld and Charles
f. Perry.
I'VE, the undersigned as a committee
appointed at a mass meeting OF over $50
male citizens OF New Shoreham, call
your attention 10 the inclosed statement
OF facts, which accompany petition to
the legislature asking for the repeal OF
chapter 1887 and it's amendment.
1--WE ask you To consider these facts as
they AFFECT the principles OF local self
government. and 10 say whether you will
indorse the act that enables few men TO
secure licenses for the sale OF liquors in
our town I'm direct opposition 10 the ex-
pressed Will OF the people at the polls.
I'VE ask you az a representative citi-
Zen to use your influence TO secure the re-
peal Of chapter 1887
There are as shown by the tax-book
OF 1901 (the latest issued), ass taxpayers,
and OF this number 2s6 deposited their
votes on election day I'm November. 1902.
The vote on the license question was
no uncertain note. Hence 1t can be seen
that in spite OF every effort that was put
forth by the friends Of the liquor traffic
the people OF Block Island had no desire
10 see IL In their midst
I'VE come here today 10 ask that the
will OF the people may not be overthrown
Nl,, hot hos x..ftL
the names OF l9s citizens OF the town. rep
resenting s297,7)o Of the taxable property
of the island.
And IL should be borne in mind that
about $4,000 worth OF property on the ISL
and is owned by non-residents. who come
to our island for the summer months In
search OF health and rest, and who have
no desire TO see the traffic legalized on
the island. but who have no voice or vote
I'm the matter; this property Is In addition
TO that represented by the names that are
on our petition.
1--WE have about 30 hotels and cottages
where boarders are taken during the sum-
mer season, and OF this number all but
Ave are in favor OF no-license. or the
number that favor a license, or at least
are not to be found among the remon-
strants, the largest interest In popularity
supposed TO be that OF Senator Champlin,
as one OF the alleged owners OF the Hy-
geia Hotel. and also Of the largest restau-
rant I'm the New Harbor
while we have no desire to criticise
the legislature OF 1899. except as it's acts
call for criticism. IL does seem 20 us that
special legislation such as this should be
more carefully guarded against. the more
especially where the franchise OF the
voter Is being tampered with"
The preamble and resolution were unan-
imously adopted