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

Mr.. colwel asked that the hearing be
deferred I'm view Of a resolution asking
for the amendment OF the present law as
Is contemplated by the bill. now being
In the hands OF the city council When
action had been taken thereon the COM
mittee would have an expression on the
part OF the city council.
Mr. Eaton stated that he had had n
good deal OF experience In consideration
of the matter for he had taken an unus-
ually active part I'm such legal investiga-
tion and controversy as had arisen In
connection with the law. He said that
IL has been his observation that no mat
ter what the board OF police commits
sioners, no matter where located, dis
satisfaction had been the result of the
creation of such boards, although some
OF the commissions gave more or less
satisfaction at first He said that the
bill contemplated move in the right di-
rection. The law that created commits
sions was antagonistic To the principles
OF government by the people.
Mr. Carroll as a member of the Provi-
dence delegation TO the general assembly
spoke In favor OF the bill He stated
that the present law is unsatisfactory to
the people and he pointed out that last
week the people of Newport came before
the committee and sought to have the
law repealed that created the board OF
police commissioners for that city. 1t
was agreed by the people that the board
should be abolished In the interest of the
welfare OF the city and it's people. lie
stated that the head of the commission
is a man who had been repudiated by his
party and there Is no one TO whom the
board Is responsible. He believed the
city would be better of II the board was
responsible to the citizens of the city.
FAvoRs COMMISSION.
Mr.. Hogan spoke in favor OF
the present commission and he related
much ancient history dating back to the
days of the Civil war. until he was re-
quested by II. j. Mccarthy TO confne
himself TO the subject. He then said he
believed the police commission was a
good thing provided n was constituted
somewhat differently from what II was
now.
Mr.. Eaton stated that he had not In
tended I'm any way 10 reflect on the police
commission, but II was his belief that the
present police commissioners, II reap
pointed, would give much better satisfac-
tion If they were responsible to the
people OF Providence.
AN ISSUE AT ELECTION.
Sam III. Bullock spoke in favor OF the
bill. He said that the matter of self
government had been made an issue In
che last state election and the present
seegation To the general assembly had
been elected on the platform of self
government. He considered the mem
bers OF the delegation were all outspoken
against the present form of commission
He suggested that II the committee had
any doubt as TO the feeling of the people
"A n
bill to the people for either approval or
rejection.
This would give the committee the in
forma fion necessary TO determine the
question. He asked that this suggestion
be given consideration.
Councilman Charles Sisson spoke In
favor Of the bill He pointed out that
the method OF selecting the commission
was objectionable TO the people as a
whols. He said that IL might be possible
for three men TO be chosen at random
who would be quite as satisfactory as
commissioners. but II would not be policy
TO do this. He said that two men were
now holding tho Office OF commissioners
who were not there because OF the viii
Of the people The one man was the one
chosen against the nomination OF Gov
ernor GarviD. who was elected 60 repre-.
sent the people. and the other was Sc
from Prov.dcnce who also represents the
people.
MASSACHUSETTS PRECEDENTs.
lie cited precedents IN other cities I'm
Ncsfachusg tts. where the various Rc-
publican governors had declined 10 an
prove proposed police commissioners Tor
cities on the ground that to"approye these
was aniagonistic 20 the best interests and
welfare OF the various municipalities
lie stated that he was one Of four
members OF the Providence city council
who voted against the resolution direct
ing the city solicitor 10 appear before the
general assembly IN behalf OF the present
law which was later passed. Tie said
there was a resolution now before the
Providence city council seeking 60 have
legislation enacted which will bring
about the changes contemplated BY the
bill on which hearing was being given.
MAYOR MILLER SPEAKS.
Mayor Miller followed and he spoke on
the general line OF opposition o. the
present board Of police commissioners
lie said that the great matter 60 be- con-
sidered was the right Of home rule OF
which the people OF the city OF Providence
had been deprived The right OF home
rule Was one OF the principal foundations
Of American liberty. n was this principle.
more than anything else 10 which this
country could say was due 10 its present
progress. growth and prosperity.
The principle ~ issue a. the matter of
home rule. and this was "A right that not 4
nnAy vss due but which should be given j