The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-19
He PLEADS.
Continued from page Five.

the able speaker who had addressed them
and stated that he was much Interested
In municipal home rule. He said, i dis
cussed my ideas last election at some
length TO the citizens. II is an important
thing TO consider Rhode Island has not
gone so far as some OF the states In
taking the rights OF the cities away and
robbing them OF their government. The
leglsla ture did tr to take away en- i'm
portant power fro mthe city.the police de-
partment The city Is Obliged 10 pay the
expenses OF department over which
they have no control. | have not been
In office long but I see much need OF
change in affairs OF the city government.
I have daily calls for my services at
the city hall but I am forced TO say the
mayor has no influence In the department.
or with the police commission. did
not appoint them and was not consulted
In their selection. They have not visit
ed me since my accession to office and
I have no influence with them. This is
the same with other departments OF city
work
/ believe the mayor should be the actual
not the nominal head Of the city govern
ment only.
A few years ago some of the men were
appointed to draw up new charter for
the city. They did so but II never be-
came n law.
The mayor should be responsible and
he should appoint the heads OF the de-
! partments who would in turn be respon-
/ shle To him.
The mayor would then have board or
| cabinet with whom he could consult
| have been surprised at the tendencies
| Of legislation at the present. TO take
away the rights OF municipalities. the
/ speaker said and referred to the Mass
achusetts example.
Referring to the work OF the police
/ comm ssion. Mayor Miller said, ''If the
| police have pretty uniforms to show on
| the street and because the commission
| has done as argued at the last election,
! Is that any reason why we should depart
from the recognized principles OF our
government? think not. II is no ans
wer 10 say that the police commission is
doing we'll II II the whole system
which is wrong.
OTHER ADDRESSES.
Mr. Eaton expressed his regret tina,
! Ex-Governor n. Russell Brown who was
announced as n speaker. was unable &c
he present.
lie also stated Bishop w. n. Mcvicka,
was unavoidaby detained but that M
was glad 10 present the bishops assur.
ance that he has not changed his mind
regarding the police commission. Hs
looks upon the system as vicious and
seem 10 reason 10 chang ehis mond"
Prof James O. Dealy OF Brown univer'
sity spoke on the pecularities Of tho
new caucus Law at some length and inti'
mated that this would be n good method
60 work the reforms projected.
As a representative Of the bar and one
interested IN municipal affairs william
A. Morgan gave a different view OF tn,
police commission. He said there II q
difference Of opinion about the polio,
commission question and referred to th'
cas- ymanner In which the disorder wa.
quelled I'm this city last year. He con
trasted Il with the continued riots and
disorder Mt neishboring city.
/ The chief OF police might have moved
I or the mayor might not have been a'
I strong as our present mayor but II star
/ tel there and H. did not In Providence
! He stated. that the state was responsi
/ BILE for the good order OF all sections
and IL was properly at work to look az
I ter such matters.
ne was succeeded by Royal n. Glad
dine who spoke on the need OF convinc'
ing the people of the sincerity OF reform
movements and Hon. Amasa NJ. Eaton
was the closing speaker.
The meeting opened at 6:N with sup
per and after a second reading OF the ne~
| bye-laws they were adopted.