The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-30
CENTRAL FALLS
COUNCIL HOLDS
A BUSY SESSION

There was a meeting OF the common
council last evening and the business
which occupied most OF the time related
| 10 the proposed gas franchise. An at
| tempt was made to secure a reversal OF
the vote taken some weeks ago. but the
| Influence OF certain two or three men
who have been going up and down the
streets OF the city ever since the PROPOSE
ton was first made. was too much, and
after a long discussion OF the question
which discussion was entered into by
| two or three who are not members OF
| the city government, the whole matter
was again indefinitely postponed. In fact
IL may be said that the argument which
was made from outside the rail was more
potent than anything that was said by
members OF the council.
An interesting feature OF the council
and one which TO most men It would seem
would have had influence was the state
ment made by Dr. A. A-Mann. a men,
ber OF the council from the First ward,
in relation to the postal card note which
from the doctors statement that the peo-
pie have greatly interested themselves in
this matter and that the number Of per-
sons who have responded 10 his invitation
10 return the cards has been surprising
ly large. The feature which would at
tract the greatest attention is that in the
vote thus far received the number Of
persons who have expressed the wish for
the city council to accept the proposition
OF the gas company is almost three times
greater than the number who have shown
| they were opposed TO II.
Councilman Goldsmith was the chief
opponent OF the proposition in the coun-
! Gil. and Councilmen Mann and Freeman
were in favor OF it,
feature OF the discussion was the
reading OF an option which had been Sc
cured from Atty. W. D. Bassett OF Prov
idence which had been secured by those
who were against the proposition. This
opinion was not a particularly valuable
one, although II pretended 10 show that
the gas company had no right 10 charge
the people Of this city a greater price
for gas than was being charged the peo-
pie of other communities which II served.
In the minds OF most OF those who
heard 1t II was practically an invitation
10 the people of Central Falls to enter in
TO litigation but there was no actual
prophecy that they would be successful.
President Goff called the meeting TO or
der with Councilmen Briden and Banks
absent.
DIR. Mann. after the records OF the last
meeting had been read. moved that 20
much Of the records that pertaind to tho
ZN,.N-
investigate into the gas question be X
pnnged.
President Goff stated that the commit
tee had not been legally discharged, as
such would require the passage Of a joint
resolution. The city solicitor was then or
dered 10 draw up this resolution.
Councilman Freeman moved to recon-
slider the vote indefinitely postponing the
gas question. He thought IL had been
passed too hurriedly, and in fact before
the members of the council had chance
TO express their opinions
Dr. Mann seconded the motion, at the
same time saying that in passing the vote
injustice was done the committee, the
citizens and the public. Mr.. Goldsmith
doubted the legality of reconsdering the
resolution and asked the opinion of city
Solicitor Butman in the matter. The So
lcitor decided that the resolution could
legally be reconsidered as long as II had
not been sent to the board OF aldermen or
the mayor.
Councilman Freeman spoke in favor Of
reconsiderng the resolution in order that
the committee give the members OF the
council some information.
DR.. Mann said the gas question was an
important one and one In which the pub
lie was much interested. Up TO date he
said 6lO postal cards had been returned In
favor and 210 against the proposition OF
the gas company
The motion to reconsider indefinite post
ponement was then put and carried, but
some OF the members doubted the decls-
ion OF the chair.
Councilman Goldsmith appealed from
the decision Of the chair. but the opin-
ION OF the city solicitor sustained Presl-
dent Con-.
DR.. Mann again talked in favor OF the
contract and Mr.. Dion and Mr.. Davig-
non against IT, Mr. Glover thought the
matter should be decided by the voters
at the polls.
Mr.. Goldsmith then read the opinion
OF Edward d Bassett and john IL. Bar
ber. and Oscar f. Newell followed with
remarks against the granting Of 10
year franchise 20 the gas company.
The question to indefinitely postpone
was then put and carried by vote OF
TO 2 Councilmen Goldsmith, Kitchen,
Dion. Davignon, Glover and Snow voting
YES and President Con and Councilman
Freeman no Or. Mann had left the
chamber when the vote was taken and
Councilmen Briden and Banks were alb
sent.
resolution providing for the dis
charge OF the committee on gas question
was adopted and referred TO the board
or aldermen for concurrence.
The recommendation OF the committee
on finance 90 appropriate 5000 for the
beard OF street water and sewer com
missoners 90 lay larger water mains In
certain streets was passed and referred
20 the board OF aldermen
The committee on claims recommended
that Vilbon Monast be given leave 10
vt,hdraU his claim of 600 against the city