The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-02

Rhode Island Hospital that after October
ist, 1903, they would not be able TO receive
patients suffering with contagious dis
eases. This brought the city face TO face
with a serious problem and a special COM
mittee was appointed 10 report plans and
estimates OF the cost OF establishing
City Hospital for the treatment OF con-
agious diseases. as IL will be necessary
to have such a hospital ready for use on
the date mentioned.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Although our city continues to be de-
prived OF home rule in the conduct of our
police department notwithstanding the
belief OF a very large number OF our cit
izens. and the protests OF many that as
they have to pay for the maintenance OF
the department the people OF Providence
and not OF the state, should say who
should control IL. Is II not your duty as
members OF the city council. representing
the interests OF the tax payers. and re-
ceiving you do quarterly reports from
the police commissioners. TO investigate
he conditions existing I'm our city, over
which the police department has control?
II you should do so and should find that
such conditions are not as satisfactory as
they were before we were deprived of To-
| cal selfgovernment, the city solicitor at
orce should he instructed TO present 10
the general assembly an act TO restore to
the city OF Providence the right to con-
troll the police department for the mainte-
nance OF which the annual appropriation
this year has been increased.
recent writer upon city government
I'm the United States says that I'm this
country the most common complaint
against the city police Is that. either as
body or through its individual members.
II sells the right 10 break the law"
II such a condition ever should exist in
our city could II not more readily be as
certained and promptly dealt with IL the
heads OF the police department instead
OF being chosen by senators from distant
country towns. were appointed by the
mayor OF the city. directly responsible To
our citizens as provided In the draft OF a
new charter for Providence submitted in
1895 and never acted upon by the city
council.
A SCHOOL COMMISSION. ..
In nv message one year ago I said 1T
ia doubtless unquestionable that a board
OF five competent ciusens could conduct
the affairs OF the schools more salts
factorily and with greater saving in ex-
pense to the city OF Providence than the
present school committee" and since the
deficit of nearly $4,000 In that depart
ment for the past fiscal year. hereinbe-
ceded now very generally that such Is the
fact
Much however would depend upon the
character OF that board. which largely
would depend upon how IL was chosen.
Last year. while there was pending be-
fore the general assembly an act TO create
such n board. prepared by those especially
interested in educational work and the
same bill, practically. which has been
presented to and failed OF passage by sew
eral previous legislatures. which act pro-
vided that the members OF the board
should be elected by the electors OF this
city qualified TO vote for general officers.
and to serve for Ave years. one TO be
elected annually, a peculiar resolution
was introduced in and passed by the city
council. II directed the city solicitor ito
apply to the general assembly for the
| passage OF such legislation as shall be
necessary for the creation OF a commits
sion TO manage. regulate and control the
public schools OF the city Of Providence.
/ tried I'm vain To ascertain from It's
supporters what was the intent of this
resolution which did not direct the city
solicitor to advocate the passage Of the
act then before the general assembly, and
upon the city solicitors stating In his
letter to me that under that resolution he
should consider he was instructed to
favor the passage OF any act which
SnOuld PROVIDE TOT the CreauOn OF a
school commission. leaving II TO the legis-
lature TO determine the method OF
| creating such a commission. I vetoed the
resolution and the same was passed over
my veto.
Understanding existing conditions as
do and considering the interest Of all
! our citizens. I do not believe that we want
board Of education for the city OF
| Providence chosen In any other manner
| than by the electors OF this city. qualified
I TO vote for general officers. as provided
/ Sy the act referred TO. unless II II 10 be
| appointed by the mayor. under the pro
| visions OF a revised charter.
RECORDER OF DEEDS OFFICE.
The recorder OF deeds has called my az
/ tention 10 the need Of comprehensive
| revision and consolidation OF the indexes
/ of the and records in his office.
The work OF examining titles is one
/ which demands close attention and care
/ full scrutiny OF record evidence. and II r.
4 very necessary mat me examiner should
/ nnd proper aid through full. accurate and
! convenient indexes.
A great number OF the index books I'm
/ the office OF the recorder OF deeds are so
worn as 10 require immediate copying or
| replacement while I'm those written I'm
dexes 10 grantees from 1877 TO 1875 the ink
| has faded 80 as To render the writing
extremely difficult 20 read
The recorder of deeds has given this
matter worry careful consideration. and
will present 10 the city council al an early
/ date q plan for the work and an estimate
- a. ~ASs. mstl.~ fnuI 80 n