The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-22


with Governor Garvin presiding.
For the committee on rules and order
Senator Remington presented a resolution
adopting the joint rules and orders used
during the session OF 1903 Passed.
The governor presented the annual re-
port OF the state board OF agriculture
which was ordered printed and commu-
nicated 10 the house.
Senator Crosby moved that tho appoint
ment OF Ada Wing Mead as member
Of the board OF visitors 10 places where
women are confined be taken from the
table. The motion was lost by vote OF
Mr.. Crosby moved that the appoint
ment OF Walter &. Simmons as conmis-
from the table. This motion was also
defeated by vote OF 2 to y
Senator Remington presented the an
nual report OF the license commissioners
ordered printed and communicated TO the
house.
senator Crosby then moved that the
appointments or Horace WILCOX or Norl
Kingston and William Fred Williams OF
Bristol as medical examiners for their re-
epective districts be taken from the table.
The motion was lost by vote or ~ 10 TO-
INCREASE OF CAPITAL STOCK.
Senator Stiness remarked that the con-
eidsration OF the act authorizing the
capital stock from ss.@0o, 90 to sa.ooo. 90
had been made a special order Tor AZ 80
today. but that he did not think any OF
the senators would care 10 wait 10 min
ptes before taking up the question, and by
unanimous consent II was taken up at
u:20.
Mr.. Thurston OF Providence asked sew
eral questions in regard TO the increase,
which were answered by Senator Ellis OF
Woonsocket. who Is the president OF the
Gas company.
THE PROVIDENCE GAS COMPANY.
Mr.. Ellis stated In full the object OF
the company In wishing authority for the
increase OF three-quarters OF million
dollars.
Mr.. Banigan spoke at considerable
length against the measure. calling atten-
ton to the sweeping provisions or the
charter of the Rhode Island company
giving that concern the right to acquire
and dispose OF at will any gas company.
electric lighting company or street rail-
way company In the state OF Rhode ISL
This corporation. he said, was insor-
porated in this state, but was a foreign
concern, financed In Philadelphia
In continuance Senator Banigan said:
..It behooves US, Mr.. President. to care
fully scruunlze every attempt OF these
cuasi-public corporations TO increase their
capital stock. This act (referring TO the
charter Of the Rhode Island company,
which he read) gives the Rhode Island
without even asking autherity OF the gem
era assembly Of the state.
PREPARING TO SELL OUT.
ct think that / am justified in talking,
Mr.. President that the Gas company Is
preparing TO sell out TO the Rhode Island
Merger company; they are making ready
IN my mind. 10 make good; 10 make good
and deliver the goods TO the Rhode Island
Merger company when the price IL agreed
upon IA the contract
Mr.. Banigan read many laws In relation
20 the corporation he was discussing and
proceeded 10 give his Interpretation as
well as an explanation OF possible effect
In the midst OF burst OF oratory, after
the speaker had held the floor n minutes
Senator White OF North Smithneld rose
90 a point Of order saying that the sree n
was simply dissertation on tho
Rhode Island company and had no bear.
ing on the question. The point was moi
sustained by the chair.
DIR. BanIgan went through chapter 5sl
OF the General Laws and explained and
commented on the provisions OF the chap.
ter. The speaker said that two per cent
was an unreasonably low rate for the cor.
porntion 20 pay the state for the fran.
chises and privileges which the Rhode Isl
and company enjoyed.
ADEAD LINE.
They have drawn about the state .
dead line. on which II the sign keep out
competitor who enter here lose all nope
He dweh some time In regard 10 the tar
Of two per cent and referring TO ths
authority of the Rhode Island company tc
Increase It's capital stock asked:
ssyvhat becomes Of the two per cent afteH
ef1e company has given itself ictitous
vauiation. on which dividends must bs
pefdr' ne asked
Then he dr1fted into the transfer act
which ne said was couched IN such Lam
enags shat its terms could not be altered,
amended OF repealed without the con-
sent Of the company.
The act he said. made the cost OF
transportation on the street cars Ave
cents for ali time regardless OF any
futurs change In the cost OF furnishing
such transportation.
The state OF Rhode Island has been 90