The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-03-23
(contlnued from Page ono. }

NIoHtlnueo from rage One,)
Mr.. Rattey spoke again saying that he
regretted the position OF Mr.. Bowen and
others. and he did not like to see the
power OF the people given away. The
conditions have improved since the police
control was taken from the board of
aldermen and the city. The mayor OF the
city Ia the representative Of the people and
tho power should be his. To give the
board any voice was TO give II to the party
In power having majority In the board.
Home rule should be homo rule. There
should be no class. no favorites and no
friends. Give the power to tho mayor and
you will give II to the people Put check
on the mayor and you will give II to the
people. II you do anything else you are
not giving TO the people home rule.
Mr.. Bowen then moved to reconsider the
bill.
Mr.. Herrick then moved TO amend the
bill 30 as 20 give the mayor the sole
power.
This caused a lengthy discussion and n
number OF other amendments were offered
until the house was involved in parlia
mentary tangle. AS a solution OF Il all
Mr.. Lace o fBurrillville then proposed
that the whole measure be submitted TO
the people Of Providence TO be voted on
at tho next election. He suggested this
because IL was their city that was In
volved and 1t was right that their cleo
torate pass upon II and decide whether
they wanted IL or not.
Mr.. Herrick thought that good idea
and hoped that IL would pass
Mr.. Newell stated that Il was not a
petition from the people and they had
made no appeal 10 the legislature for aid
They signihed that they were satisfied
The bill suited him and he hoped Il would
pass.
Mr.. Herrick asked what effect n any
the act would have on the police, IL the
control were IN the hands OF the mayor.
He then stated that the effect would be
TO put the police again into poitcs and
that was TO be deplored. since they were
now free 10 DO their duty and not all
hampered politically.
The amendment was then put upon its
passage and failed
Mr.. Bowen stated that II would be ar
rant folly 10 return the question 10 tho
people when they had already voted their
approval OF the same by eiectng them
during the last election The fact that
some such measure would come up at this
session had been bruted by the press
during and previous TO the last cam
paign. The representatives had been elect
ed with that knowledge before them and
hence they approved OF the present bill.
II the men duly elected had not the
the proper men 10 be elected again He
hoped that the measure would not go back
TO the people. since II would be waste
OF time and a breach OF confidence.
DEFINED HIS POSITION.
The amendment was ioet
Mr.. Lace then stated that he would
vote against the bill.
Mr Goodwin OF Lincoln also defined his
position and stated that he was in favor
OF home rule, hence he would like TO see
the measure 20 back TO the people for an
expression Of opinion.
Mr. Gauvin also spoke, after which the
bill wac put upon its passage and voted
n law
Mr.. Bliss presented a resolution from
the senate asking that a joint commit
tee be appointed 10 confer upon the ex-
pend'ture or $1,000 for repairs upon Wash
ington county court house
Upon the motion OF Mr. Rathbun the
house then adjourned az l.?6 o'clock