The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-06
WHO OCCUPIES
SHER|FF'S OFFICE? S?
Continued from page one.

Continued from page one.
Mr.. Rich stated that the purpose OF his
amendment was 10 so have the amend
ment that IL would not cause the mem
bers to have TO walt for the committees
TO report on the matters before the COM
mittee.
Mr.. Fitzgerald believed that the COM
mittees had held back business that could
be acted on and there was no assurance
of particular activity in the future by
the committees.
MR.. JOHNSON OPPOSED.
Judge johnson did not favor the rule at
all. He was inclined 10 believe that IL
would do no good. 1t was not needed. The
general assembly was there to do busi-
ness for the people when the people want
ed that business done. A rule only bound
this general assembly at best and could
be amended or repealed by the majority
at will.
Mr. Mcdonald believed the rule was not
only desirable but necessary.
Mr.. Spooner believed the rule should In
clude provision that the committees
should report all business before them al
least five days prior 10 final adjournment.
The amendment offered by Mr. kich
was lost by a vote of IS TO "a.
Then Mr. Spooner offered an amend
ment that the committees should report
all business prior 20 five days before final
adjournment, or such business placed on
the calendar.
Mr.. Rathbun believed that such an
amendment was not necessary. The
amendment was passed by viva voee
vote.
RULE ADOPTED.
Then the amended rule was adopted by
q viva voce vote.
Judge johnson moved that all business
on the clerks desk be communicated to
the senate and this motion prevailed.
The net number on the calendar was
taken up. this being proposed amend
ment to the constitution of the state. pre-
scented by Mr. Mumford. which provides
that the members of the general assem-
bly, shall be paid $500 each. and the speak
er 5000 and that the general assembly fix
the salary or the governor and all other
state officers, according 10 the provisions
OF the state constitution.
The committee on special legislation
recommended the passage of the bill.
Mr.. Spooner spoke at length against the
psssage OF the bill He did not believe
the members of the general assembly
should consider the matter OF salary. II
It was necessary for the general assembly
90 work overtime he, for one. was willing
to do so.
Mr.. Carroll was not in favor OF the
passage OF the bill. He believed that 1t
had no good purpose and II would not
accomplish anything.
DEFENDED THE BILL.
Mr.. Mumford defended the bill. He
believed the members OF the general as
sembly Of Rhode Island were pail Tess
than the members OF the legislative body
of any other state and II II was worth
a mans time II was worth paying for.
He did not believe the sum named was
unreasonable.
Judge Johnson was OF the opinion that
the bill sought to overcome what might
be a tendency to delay legislation be-
cause of the desire TO prolong the ses-
sions that all OF the members might Sc
cure the full amount that could be secured
IS salary.
Mr.. Carroll believed that the tendency
described by Mr. Johnson was the acts
of the Republican party, which had been
IN control OF the general assembly for
years and which was responsible for any
legislation which had been passed.
Mr. Mumford believed the bill was n
good one and while It might not accom-
push all that was sought II was a step
In the right direction.
VERY TRIFLING.
Mr.. Aldrich voiced Mr. Spooner's argu-
ment that the matter was exceedingly
trifing and the law 10 was proposed 10
amend had been passed so recently that
IT was not well to make further changes
Judge johnson stated that his remarks
had been misconstrued He did not assail
any party or persons, but said the tend
ency TO delay was human nature the
world over
Mr.. Mccarthy suggested the bill was
tnkering with the constitution when so
many worthy and much more important
measures came before the members and
were awaiting action. So far as adjourn
ment went there was no assurance the
majority could not adjourn the general
assembly at any time lie believed the
proposition had been framed TO suit the
country members.
AMENDMENT DEFEATED.
Mr.. McHugh moved the bill be indea-
nitely postponed. The motion was lost on
roll call vote by a vote OF one.
Mr.. Rattey moved 60 amend the bill by
inserting a provision that the session be
not less thaIf~SS days I'm length
The amendment was stated and then
Mr.. Mumford moved that the house ad-
5ourn. A roll call vote was taken and
the motion was lost. the vote being "a TO
a.
The proposed amendment was placed on
Its passage and was lost by a vote OF s6
20 a. On this vote Mr. Brown OF New
port Mr.. Marvin OF Lincoln. voted with