The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-04


way continuation OF Angel street through
the park property. the change Of grade
and Improvement OF Cover strevt as tn
southerly end. the River road 10 nov
easily accessible from these points. The
views from this road are very nne and
will be much enjoyed now that facilities
for reaching this part OF our park system
have been improved.
Plans are now being prepared for I'm
proving the Blackstone boulevard park
way by the planting OF trees and shrubs,
and by such grading as may be necessary
owing 10 the laying of rails for the two
lines OF electric cans authorized by the
city council. II La enperted that these
plans will be completed in time for the
work to commence early in tho spring.
At Davis park the large level tract of
land In front OF the Mansion House was
opened to the public for baseball and foot
ball games last season, and athletic ap-
parstus win be placed there the coming
spring
The commissioners are now having
plans prepared for the equipment with
athletic apparatus OF the playground for
wfioh the council recently made provision
at Tockwotton park.
At NEWFOUNDLAND Hin 32 acres OF land
have boen acquired and dedicated by the
city council for park purposes. and in all.
during the year Of 1903. 4Sh acres OF land
have been added 10 the park area OF the
CITY. making q total OF nearly 60 acres
now devoted to park purposes
PoLIcB DEPARTMENT.
On the ninth day Of November last. the
governor of the state appodnted me TO al
the Vacancy upon tho board OF police COM
missionsrs for the city OF Providence. oc-
casioned by the death OF the Honorable
Frank II. Olney. declined to accept the
Office, giving to the governor my reasons
for 80 doing. that had long been OF the
opinion that the appointment of the heads
OF all city departments. and especially of
% tmporeant q department. as That con-
trolling the police OF city should be
vested in fts mayor. and that always
had opposed the taking away from the
city Of Providence the right Of local self
government and homo rule by placing the
appointment Of the commissioners control
iing the police department. IN the hands Of
state officials; therefore, since. II 1 ac-
cepaed tho Office. should not be a cfsoser
officer OF the citizens of Providence but
an official OF the state. must decline ths
position.
In my last message after Stating fully
my reasons for opposing the continuance
OF the control OF this department by state
officials, I said. Even II to the present
time the appontees have been most estfm-
able citizens, and IL the old adage that "A
new broom sweeps clean again has
proved true. these are no arguments In
favor of such a violation Of tho rights OF
the people to local self-government Nay.
mpreif this state commission be con-
nuued, unless our case becomes rare ex-
ception. n Will be found that the work
ultkmately VIII not be so we'll done az 1t
would be II controlled, AZ 1t should be.
by the city's officers. chosen by the people
why nav thA billAp
ask you today. Is IL not now time that
this department. be restored to the charge
of the city's officers. chosen by the people
who pay ths bdns7
At the last session OF the general as
sembly an act was introduced. drawn by
representative from our city, which
provided that a board of police commits
sfoners for the city of Providence should
be established, consisting Of three quail
fed electors Of this city. not more than
two of whom should be members OF the
same political party: that the commits
sioners should be appointed by the mayor
and that their term OF office should DO
three years. one member being appointed
each year.
STRONGLY SUPPORTED.
The blu was strongly supported by the
able delegation from Providence and at
the advertised public hearing upon the
measure before the house committee OF
the judiciary its passage was advocated
by leading representative citizens and no
one appeared I'm opposition to II, but the
measure was killed by the party In con-
troll OF the general assembly trust that
our present delegation will see that like
act Is introduced at the coming session
and strive TO right this wrong which
has been done to this municipality.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The school committee, under its admin-
istration for the past year. is certainly 10
be commended for one reform which II
effected the revision of It's bylaws.
The important changes made in the by
laws concern principally the election and
duties of the superintendent of schools.
the election of the secretary. the pur-
chasing agent, the superintendent OF
school property and the purchase OF text
books.
BY the revision. the power of appoint
ment and OF the removal and transfer of
teachers has been placed In the
hands OF the superintendent OF schools,
where II naturally belongs. The sub-oom-
mittees OF the grammar and primary
schools now recommend an eligible List
Of appointments for those schools 20 the
superintendent and his nominations from
the list go 90 the general committee for
approval. Heretofore the subcommittee
nominated all teachers.
The secretary, who was formerly
elected annually. Il Is now provided shall
hold office during good behavior. but may
be removed by three-fifth's vote of the
general committee. He has the power TO
appoint and dismiss his clerks.
The purchasing agent. who was former
ly appointed by the executive committee.
s now nominated by that committee and
elected by the general committee.
The superintendent OF school property
takes the place OF the superintendent OF
janitors and is elected by the general
committee, instead or by the committee
on school houses as formerly. He will
appoint all janitors and be responsible
for all school property.
The teachers now have a voice In the
selection "a text books. Before any books
are taken from or added to the authorized
list OF text books they are first submitted
to n representative committee OF teachers
and the report OF this committee. with the
approval or disapproval thereof OF tho SUI
perintendent OF schools. II submitted 20
the committee on text books and by that