The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-14
ROuSing Hearing at the State House
Yesterday With Warm Argu-
mentS on Both Sides.

Ministers and temperance people, hotel
keepers and wholesale liquor dealers, and
tn general citizens from every corner of
|the state were present at the hearing at
khe state house yesterday afternoon on
khe act 10 repeal the Block Island Local
Option law. held by the house committee
|pn special legislation.
The hearing was a most interesting one
knd about as strenuous as any that has
liver been held within the walls or the
marble palace. The ministers and temper
Hnce advocates were loaded for bear and
made some telling arguments In favor OF
ne proposed act. The Rev. Mr.. Roberts
|hf Block Island was apparently the only
Islander present 10 look after the inter
ksts OF the town. with the exception of
Senator Champlin who OF course observed
| he golden rule OF silence.
The hearing was opened by Rev. A. u.
| I.risty OF the anti-saloon league. who
spoke at length and introduced the differ
mt speakers.
Gen John NJ. Brennan appeared for
| he hotel people OF the island. The pur-
bose Of the proposed act II to repeal two
chapters OF the public laws giving the
own council power TO grant licenses af-
er the people OF the town had voted for
|no license.
Rev Mr.. Cristy. I'm opening the hearing
| |said: Chapter 10Y OF our General Laws is
\ criminal statute. 1t aims 10 protect our
Iitizens from the evils attending tho man
|facturs and sale OF intoxicating drinks.
{ begins by forbdding anyone 10 manu-
Iacture or sell such liquors under penalty
|bf fine and imprisonment.
AT T. election last November tho ma
ority OF those voting in New Shoreham
|lecided 10 forbid the granting OF licenses
o manufacture or sell intoxicating
Drinks within that town.
In December. near the close or the
Ihort session Of the legislature. the sena-
or from New Shoreham introduced bill
Iepealing those sections of his former
aw that made II conform 10 chapter 1O2
3ection 4, and so amending the third sec
ion as 10 command the town council TO
| ppoint n commission OF three before May
lao3. who may grant or refuse 10 grant
licenses for the sale of intoxicating
drinks on the Island.
BISHOP MvICKAR.
The next speaker was Bishop McVickar
Who made a most able plea for tho pass
GO Of the act He said
Special legislation for some individual
kho happens 20 have power against the
na iority is absolutely vicious. In this
ase II seems even 10 surpass Itself. IL
Freaks the record
when such n piece or legislation was
nacted hoped the legislature had reach
an end of record that was not OF
he best. do not want to he extrava-
tsnt. but do think that II Is as bare
aced piece OF legislation as Il was pos
lhle n pass.
"I am not sure si- would that we might
Io sure In our protests and appeal, but
vhcther we are or not we wish 90 put
ourselves on record. a large number.
I believe vast majority. arc In ia
t... 81 III
ther matters. This Is going 10 he
noyn TO tho people and whether we
70 heard or not I'm this matter. whether
20 fail IN our plea or not we arc sure
hat In the end righteousness IL bound
y prevail.
I'VE have behind us some encourage
nent sir A little moro than a year ago /
sas called upon Co speak upon piece
most vicious legislation. Well, they
assed Il in spite OF protests, but the
ay OF retrlbut on came. and the voters
ia not forget it on election day.
II should feel badly indeed to be ut the
bsequ1es Of tho great party in whose
snks I have always had the honor or
auding I have always voted the ono
cket with some scratching. Well. sir.
Il can say is IN this thing goes on
huch longer we shall have 10 attend
ome sort ~ a funeral. and 7 believe
1dt on tne tombstone lneIe VIII nc VIII
hn the word Suicide Now. sir.
rotest against this action. tho snap.
neakinR action 90 last December and
plead for ono act which SHAH repair
he damage which has been done
REV. FRANK J. GOODWIN.
Rev. Frank J. Goodwin. pastor Of the
awtucket Congregational church was
be next speaker. saying I'm part
1--WE are here TO ask that this iust law
put back on the statute book. n law
rat we consider has been fllched from
The points that arc made here are
PRIV plain. gentlemen. The law was
pssed without discussion. Nobody
new anything about 70.
We arc not supposed 10 know that We
cre 20 employ detectives 20 come NJ
re- % watch 'his ieRislsture. but n N
necessary then We will employ them.