The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-18
ALDERMEN OF
CENTRAL FALLS
HAD COLD FEET

munlclpal nSnllnS anu Also 10 the piop-
osition TO purchase the Litteheld estate
on Broad strict for a city hall.
The mayor also called the board of al
dermen I'm special session for the same
purpose because he had hoped positive
action would be taken on one or both OF
these propositions. But only two OF the
members OF the aldermanic board present
ed themselves In the board chamber.
These were the president. Alderman
Davenport, and Alderman Smith OF the
First ward. Alderman Pigeon was i'm the
building earlier in the evening, but IL was
apparent that IL was another case OF
'cold feet" and he concluded TO shy when
4. came TO acting on these matters.
The reputation which the members OF
the board OF aldermen are getting OF
being afraid 10 act on any matter of
importance till they are actually forced
10 do so is something laughable. Messrs.
Davenport and Smith are apparently not
afraid TO put themselves on record. but
the other members seem TO feel that the
only thing for them 10 do Is TO keep
things hanging fire till the very last min
ute. This Is the way they acted on the
gas contract proposition and now they
are playing the same kind OF tactics.
The members OF the common council put
in an appearance and the matter OF pur
chase OF the Littlefeld property was con-
sidered under a resolution which was Of
fered by Councilman Goldsmith for the
appointment OF "A committee with instruc-
tons 10 investigate. But that is about all
II amounted TO. Very few OF the mem
bers appeared willing 10 put themselves
on record and instead they adopted the
same old tactics OF calling on the peo-
pie, who were gathered In the space re-
served for spectators for argument.
The common council OF Central Falls
Is scarcely 10 be taken seriously any
way Its members have never yet got
beyond the policy adopted by the town
councils OF the several towns of the state
who make II a practice OF hearing from
the citizens whenever any public busi
ness is under consideration. AS for them
selves they seldom express themselves
In public because when they expect that
there is going TO be any discussion OF
public business they retire into execu-
tive session and have IL out where their
voices cannot be heard by the news
paper representatives.
Last evening as usual II was the citi-
zens who did the talking and all who
spoke were In favor OF the scheme. But
II developed that Mr.. Goldsmith, n meln-
Der OF the common council and John r.
Barber acting Jointly, had secured from
the attorney representing the owners OF
the property a 6o-day option on the prop
erty for the benefit OF the city and that
the price for the property was $4,000.
Mr.. Goldsmith rested his case by ex-
planning the situation and reading the
option and then presenting n resolution
calling for the appointment Of a commit
tee Of three two OF whom should be from
the council and one from the board Of
aldermen. Then Mr.. Barber from the
citizens benches talked for about a half
hour describing the advantages which he
claimed would accrue 20 the city by the
purchase OF the property.
The resolution was finally passed and
No hnav I'd he ma
that nothing more could be done because
three OF the aldermen had "cold feet"
II is rather dffitult 10 figure out the
system Of running a meeting OF the COM
mon council anyway. There was a COM
munication from Mayor McNally which
had been sent TO the common council. in
which he explained his reasons for calling
this special meeting. In any other legis-
lative body the first business transacted
w>d have been 10 read this but instead
OF that the reading was postponed until
afteF-tha- business 10 which IL referred
had been transacted.
NINE MONTHS IN JAIL.
Charles McManus. who was thought TO
have stolen some money from William
Mathewson, the local stable dealer. was
arrested at Crescent Park Wednesday by
Deputy Sheriff Sherman. The sum Of
s32 55 was found in his possession. When
arraigned in the district court yesterday
morning he pleaded guilty TO the charge
OF larceny OF s94 and was sentenced TO
Jail for nine months
GONE TO ROCKY POINT.
The parishioners OF Holy Trinity parish
are enjoying their annual excursion to-
day The destination this year will be
Rocky Point and arrangements have been
made 10 run special cars from the Dexter
street switch al 9:20 a. m. and 2:l0 p. m.
which will connect with the boats which
are to carry the excursionists from Divi-
sion street wharf at $40 and 2:30 o'clock
Inc return trips will be made from
Rocky Point at and 1880 o'clock
WOULDN'T PAY.
Edwin Booth entered Marshals res
taurant last evening with companion
and after enjoying a hearty meal at
! tempted TO walk out without paying. He
was arrested and spent last night at the
eoice station.
BICYCLE FOUND.
The bicycle reported stofcr fte+f4- STAN
islaus Beauregard on Broad street was
found yesterday by the owner In the rear
of the building where he left H.
WILLIAM NJ. p. BOWEN.
William NJ. p. Bowen OF Providence.
\ memberof the general assembly from that
city and lawyer by profession, Is for some
\ reason attaining some little notoriety In
4 this city and only very few people know
\ the cause. His first appearance on the
/, local stage. that Is for some time, was
when he became a candidate for the po-
sitlon of Official investigator TO the
board OF aldermen" after that honorable
body came to the conclusion that IL need
ed such an official As was told in these
columns, as things stand at pres
ent. his position is purely honor
4 ary because the board of al
I dermen has no authority to engage coun-
sci to whom II intends TO pay any money
without a Joint resolution passed by both
branches OF the city council. As that has
4 not been done the only chance Mr.. Bowen
X has TO get paid for his very valuable SER
vices after he has Investigated the police
N department is TO secure a joint resolution
making an appropriation.
Considering the experience which the
Providence politician has had II Is doubt
fu II he spends a great deal OF time with
nothing I'm sight except promises He has
h had them before and they have not al
.,Ie ha