The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-05

| age expenditure or tne respective Inu-
inequalities for the five preceding years.
including therein the expenditure OF all
districts into which any town may be
divided Il would become an easy clerical
| task for the state treasurer annually 10
estimate and apportion the amount 10 be
paid by each for the ensuing year.
Under this system every city and town
would determine the amount OF Its own
state tax. and would consequently have
an inducement TO the practice OF econ
omy in its local expenditure. II would
do away with long existing controversy
between municipalities. and cause the
periodic legislation OF the past on this
subject TO be hereafter unnecessary.
OLD HOME WEEK.
All of the New England states. except
Rhode Island. have set aside by law
week during which in each year the sons
and daughters OF the state are specially
invited to revisit their places OF birth.
recommend a similar enactment here.
naming some period In the milder season
OF the year as old home week
THE JUDICIARY DEPARTMENT
| One OF the most important duties de-
volvng upon this general assembly is
the revision OF the laws made necessary
by the adoption OF the recent amendment
! TO the constitution The wording Of the
amendmt nj is such as 10 require the es-
! tablishment by law OF new court cor
responding 10 the common pleas division
| OF tine present court. but 10 be presided
over by other judges.
recommend for making the required
revision a commission. composed OF three
| we'll qualified practitioners at the Rhode
Island bar. TO be appointed by the gov
| ernor with the advice and consent Of
the supreme court. To this commission
/ might we'll be added. as advisory mem
/ f,tet Of he
preme court.
! also recommend that the judges who
are to serve In the inferior court, which
| is TO be established. be elected by the
people or appointed by the governor.
PROTECTION FOR DEPOsIToRS
Even more than when l presented
| special message on the subject 10 the
last general assembly. Is II incumbent
upon you TO protect depositors in the
| banks and trust companies Of the state.
| II may be that these institutions are
| about TO be subjected 10 an unusual
financial strain: but. whether that be so
or not the people OF Rhode Island are
entitled 10 the protection accorded In mbst
OF the other states by state bank exam
iners and by other restrictions upon
loose ia mixing
With still greater emphasis. therefore.
90 | renew the recommendations OF last
February.
APPROPRIATIONS RECOMMENDED
l. Another appropriation is needed In
order that the state may be suitably rep
resented at the Louisiana Purchase ex-
position OF this year at St Louis. Mis-
souri,.
. An appropria tion In addition 10 the
$4,000 OF last year is asked for by the
commission appointed to erect and equip
a sanatorium for the treatment OF tuber-
culous patients. II the promising expert
ment at Wallum pond Is 10 bear fruit
this year. more funds must be provided
and at as early date as possible.
:. For the Soldiers Relief Fund I
recommend an appropriation OF eleven
thousand dollars for the Soldiers Home
fund" twenty-five thousand dollars.
ABUSES CONTINUED.
one year ago | specified certain abuses
az calling for legislative attention, 10
wit: Irrepealable franchises; state boards
OF police commissioners post election
sessions: and an irresponsible and cor
rupt lobby.
Concerning these abuses II may be said
that although held in abeyance for the
time being. OF the four evils the ad-
journed session Is the only one which
has not been continued.
In addition to the number then enumer-
ated another fragrant wrong exists.
For the past two years nsarly all of
the important measures introduced by
the minority have been held In com
\ mttee and refused any conslds ration
/ whatsoever upon the floor Of the house
I of representatives. To say THAT this un 90
precedented procedure Is a matreatment
OF representatives and their constitu
| ents and unfair TO the whole people ot
! the state. is to put in very mild terms
an injury which should never be re-
! peated.
RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED.
The following recommendations made
\ In my first message were acted upon
/ favorably by the last general assembly.
| and are recognized as being beneficial in
\ their operation:
Omission OF the post-election session:
! substitution OF the town for the district
! system of public schools; state aid
( towards the payment of salaries OF local
| superintendents OF schools: also ap-
| preparations G) 10 the College Of Agri-
| culture and eMchanics Arts. for stu
| dents labor fund and instruction away
| from the school: (o for the Soldiers Re
lief and Home funds; CD for state
sanatorium for tuberculous patients; Cp
| for a state building az st. Louis.
CONCENTRATIONS REPEATED.
The following recommendations. made
ono year ago 10 the general assembly.
failed of adoption:
Restoration TO the governor OF the
power Of appointment;
The calling or constitutional con-
venuon:
The passage OF amendments TO the con-
stItution providing for the constitutional
Initiative modified veto power for the
governor. and the granting TO registry
voters ia cities the right % vote for city
council.
The reform OF the tax laws;
The giving 20 mayors OF cities the APP
pointment OF policemen:
More efficient factory inspectors and
commissioner OF Industrial statistics:
Thrce-cent fares for the street rail-
ways Of Providence;
Limitation of the labor OF motormen
and conductors 90 10 within ~ CON
secutive hours:
The popular referendum in the grant
H., ~ ropawal ~ frn nnrbieoe