The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-09
HUNTER
CHARGES
DROPPED
Important Action at East Provl.
dsnee Town Meeting. g..Mcleud
Opposes School Appropriation

The annual appropriation meeting OF the
town Of East Providence was held in the
town hall of that town today. The meet
ing was called TO order at 10 o'clock. All
the appropriations recommended by
the town council were made.
The appropriations as recommended
were ss follows: For payment Of town
$4,000; support\ OF por. $500; support OF
police. $1,000; incidentals, $4,000; street
lights. Sl2, 800; interest on bonds. sl2.75o;
town bond, 5000: state tax or as much
as necessary. $1,000; state tax for license,
fees. 5000; unpaid bills, s2.l2s.75; water.
H.400; Libraries. sl.l0o; fire departments.
500; Memorial Day. $225; enforcing liquor
law. $500; sinking fund. $3.50; interest on
money hired, $1,000; cemeteries belonging
to town. s400.
IT was not thought that the $4,000 re-
commended was sufficient for the neces-
sary work on the highways and ii was
moved that $4,000 be appropriated. 1t
was voted. after some discussion. that this
sum be appropriated.
The amount appropriated for the FIRE
department was $50 In excess OF the
amunt recommended. This amount was
added In order to make provision for
quarter for the appartus of Bay View
Hose company.
G.. III. Johnson moved that $500 be ap-
propriated for the Improvement of town
over the amount recommended was 10
make provision for necessary improve
ments in the Little Neck cemetery at
Riverside. After considerable discussion
1t was voted that $500 be appropriated.
When the question of fixing the tax rate
was brought up a. j. Kent moved that
the rate for this year be slS per $780,
This motion was lost and Daniel Logan
moved that IL be made s145.
Hon f. II Wilson took the floor and
said that the rate had been graually ad-
vanced until IL was now within % cents
OF what IL was in Providence. and ne
thought IL was time TO call halt After
some discussion 1t was voted that the tax
rate be the same as last year
The appropriations for the public schools
was then taken up. The recommendation
priated for books and supplies caused
considerable discussion.
II was moved that $500 be appropriated.
George r. Macleod member OF the
school committee thought this amount
was too much and claimed that $500 was
sufficient and offered an amendment ap-
proprlatins that amount. The amendment
was lost and $500 was appropriated.
1t was also voted 10 Appropriate $500 for
the transportation OF pupils and $3.50 for
night schools. The appropriation for the
general school fund was then taken up.
The amount recommended was SAL 300, but
II was found that unless the town was to
run I'm debt only 1880 could be appro-
priated.
Hon. e. n Wilson moved that the ap-
preparation OF $4,000 for highways be re-
considered and the vote whereby that ap-
preparation was made was rescinded. 1t
was then voted that $4,000 be appropriat-
ed for this purpose. This left another
5000 available for school purposes and the
sum OF $50, 900 was appropriated.
In his attitude OF antagonism TO the
recommendation OF the school committee
Mr. Macleod attacked that body. particu-
larly the superintendent OF schools by Civ
ing out the inference that they might be
managed with as good or better results
at a much less expenditure. He said that
during the year he had OBLIGATED as SUI
perintendent or schools he had combined
practical economy with educational efri-
cheney and had saved the town several
hundred dollars.
He contended that even the amount ap-
propriated for the purchase OF books and
supplies. which was $500 les sthan asked
Tor by the committee, was at least 5000
In excess OF what was actually needed.
Upon motion OF Hon. T.. ii. Wilson, a
vote was passed, authorizing the town
treasurer to hire. in the name of the town,
such sums OF money as might ben eces-
Saiy thc pdyftlcut VI tue expenses OF
the town during the coming year.
Considerable surprise was occasloned by
the Introduction OF resolution authoriz-
ing the town council to withdraw the re-
ward which had been offered for the ap-
prehension OF ex-Town Clerk George Il.
Hunter and instructing the chief OF po-
lice to have quashed indictment against
Hunter. The resolution was introduced
by John J. Mullen and was strenuousiy
opposed by one or two OF those present,
although Il was plain TO see that an over
whelming number Of the taxpayers In at
tendance were In favor of the passage CT
the resolution.
Alfred ]. Kent moved 20 lay the mat
ter on the table, but the motion was lost.
after which IL was moved 20 adjourn
This motion was also lost.
Hon. II. H. Wilson, while he had no
objection to the passage OF the resolu-
tion. objected 10 its phraseology and Of
fered an amendment which was accepted
by the move and adopted by the assem-
biage.
The matter was then put upon its pas
sage and IL was almost unanimously voted
20 adopt the resolutions,