The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-07
PAWTUCKET.

The annual meeting and dinner Of the
Merchants association was held in the
Maple house. last evening Lyons De-
laney was elected president for the en-
suing year. A large number OF persons
sat down to consider an excellent menu.
the chief item OF which was airkey.
After dinner there was general dis
cussion Of franchises and other important
topics. The first speaker was the re-
firing president. Fred l.. Smith. who said
this was the only association which had
the nerve to take up and frankly discuss
the question OF the day
The Business Mems association al
though larger organization. does not
discuss the matter OF the city's granting
exclusive franchises as does this body.
The two most important questions to
come up during the year are the widen
ing OF Main street and the proposed
granting OF the public franchises
Mr.. Smith called attention to one thing
the association had accomplished. II
was n matter OF history said he. that
the agitation OF the association was re-
sponsible for the adoption OF system
OF double tracks on Main street with
the widening OF that thoroughfare when
a certain man formerly In the city coun-
Gil but now on the board OF tax as
SCISSORS. had worked with might and main
10 have a system adopted In direct de-
hance TO the wishes OF the association.
William II McDevitt was next called
upon and spoke on the matter Of the
public franchises. He wished to register
his individual opinion as against the
franchises.
r. ]. Murray spoke referring to the
report he had previously made OF the
work OF the committee appointed TO Sc
cure better telegraph facilities for the
city and said that the corporations with
all their cheek had not even had the
face TO come out openly and ask for
the privileges They had submitted their
requests in writing and at the hearings
held on the matter there had not been
n single word expressed in favor OF the
granting OF the franchises
Harry Robinson spoke In favor OF in
fusing more life and more ambition into
the association and said work should be
done to further develop the growth He
favored the suggestion 10 have a home
for the rganization and felt that with
n home the prospects for the future
wouid he even more brighter than al
present He should urge the COMMITTEES
on this matter To act speedily
Frank OReilly, ex-alderman. raised
his voice against the granting of the
franchises and questioned whether the
city council had the right 20 rob the
people by giving away rights which n
was within tho power OF future councils
TO grant He further questioned the
legality Of the proposed widening OF
Main street under the terms Of the bet
terment act as Il was being done. at
tho request of n corporation and not by
the citizens.
The board of aldermen held the first
regular session OF the year. last eve
ming. In the absence OF Mayor Higgins.
President Brinder conducted the meet
ing In first rate style. A large number
OF special police constables were ap-
pointed and confirmed on motion OF
Alderman Wood the report OF the com
missioners on the widening OF Main
street was continued one week
j. g. Gleeson was bound over TO await
tho action of the grand jury on n charge
ot giving y bad check for board NJ the
Benedict house. He was held In $500
bonds.
Officers were installed az the meeting
~ Florence Lodge No . Daughters ~
Pocahontas held last night handsome
noble grands Jewel was presented 10
Mrs Girvin
At the meeting of the district court.
yesterday, Prosper Loretu was ad-