The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-08-22
ISLANDERS
PETITION
GOVERNOR

The recent victory OF Contractor VIII
liam McKie OF Boston over Town Treas
urer Rose ct ais. OF Block Island, in suit
for writ OF mandamus ordering special
town meeting for the purpose of raising
Sll 900 TO pay the balance due on steamer
New shoreham has thrown the islanders
into a turmoil, and last night the follow
ing peudon for intercesslon was made
10 Gov Utter:
ITO His Excellency Hon. George II.
Utter, Governor Of the State OF Rhode
Island and Providence Plantations:
1--WE. the undersigned, qualified electors
OF the town OF New shoreham, in the
county OF Newport and state of Rhode
Island respectfully petition your excel
lency to call a special and extraordinary
session OF the general assembly for the
purpose OF enacting legislation remedial
of conditions In said town. which threaten
the security and preservation of life and
property, to wit:
Il. An act in amendment Of an act
passed at the last session OF the general
assembly, providing for the issue OF the
bonds of said town in such manner as to
distinctly specify the purposes TO which
the proceeds OF said bonds shall be ap-
piled, to the end that the note indebted
ness shall be converted into bonded in
debtedness
'2. An act repeating the act passed at
the January session. 1904, whereby super
visors OF elections are appointed by the
town council OF said town without ref
erence 10 the nominations OF the town
committees of the political parties.
%. An act transferring the jurisdiction
over criminal cases 10 the district court
OF the First judicial district as formerly.
with provision for giving bail in either
court co-ordinately.
"a. An act 10 prohibit and prevent the
Importation OF 1oaters into the town and
their participation In town meetings and
town elections.
rs. An act 10 provide for the introduc-
ton OF the secret ballot law in town as
we'll as in state elections.
I'VE further represent 10 your excel
lency that IL is our belief that the situa-
tion is such as to demand imperatively
the action hereby prayed for. inasmuch
the public peace OF the said town has
been disturbed and is now threatened
with disturbance by the lack OF such
guarantee OF justice and order as would
be promised by the enactment OF the
legislation here suggested
And so In duty bound we will ever
pray"
The petition is signed by about $50 tax
payers OF the town, including J. Eugene
Littleneld. chairman OF the Republican
town committee: s Martin Rose, chair
man OF the Democratic town committees
Ray Payne. Republican candidate for
senator last fall; Cassius c. Ball and
Schuyler c. Ball. proprietors OF the
Ocean View hotel; b. b. Mitchell pro-
prietor OF the Spring house; f. A. Brown
OF the Manissas hotel. u. A. Mitchell OF
the Pequot and Highland houses: l.. r.
Mott OF the Bellevue hotel; Edward
Payne. former Republican postmaster:
Rev Horace A. Roberts. pastor OF the
First Baptist church. and others.
r. In some quarters very strenuous times
are anticipated and the Champlln opposi-
ton intend 10 oppose any tax TO raise
the $4,000 until II is made clear what be-
came OF the $50, 600 appropriation for the
steamer
IL is believed that n town meeting will
be calleI next week and the town officials
may call on the state militia to preserve
order Rumors are afioat that the Cham
plinites are threatening that IL the militia
Is send to the island IL will not be allowed
TO land.
The taxpayers are talking OF fighting
an appropriation by petitionng the su-
preHe court TOT un inJuHClloH 10 prevent
the town from making II.
II is rumored that at the forthcoming
there will be a proposition 10 assess an
additional tax OF sl25 on each 800 OF
ratable property The regular tax OF 81 so
was assessed at the annual meeting few
months ago.
The report in a morning paper that an
appeal on the part OF Town Treasurer
Rose arh other officials was entered yes
o., 81
ordering a town meeting was wholly with
out founda ton.
No appeal was taken, In fact there has
not yet been a decree issued from which
10 appeal.
Lawyer Barney. counsel for Town
Treasurer Rose. asked for and obtained
at the hearing OF last Friday an exten-
sion OF time till Sept. 2nd in which TO
prepare his bill OF exceptions.