The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-14

has DttH ITO
the past year. and then voting in favor
OF resolution which left Il optional with
the town council what salary the mem
bers Of the department should receive, the
taxpayers OF Cumber rland yesterday con-
cluded that this was a sufficient ropri-
mand, and at the afternoon session made
an appropriation for the maintenance OF
the police which was equal TO what has
been provided in past years.
II all the charges made at the morning
session are anything like true, IL Is GER
tainly high time something is done 10
remedy conditions. IL was claimed that
disrepitable houses fiouriShed In some
parts OF the town and that their presence
was thoroughly wnown to the town oni-
cials. II was also alleged by several OF
the speakers that these houTes paid regu-
larly for their protection from interfer-
ence and that the conditions In some sec
tions were most intolerable
No direct charges OF graft against any
particular man we're made, but II was
evident that some of the voters came TO
the conclusion that something must be
done TO bring about a change.
Apparently the little rest from the heat
OF argument had a quieting effect on the
nerves of some OF the more radical. for
when the meeting reassembled resolu-
tion which provided for payment OF 500
per year TO the police officers was voted
down by a large majority and then the
same sum was appropriated for the pay OF
the police as has been voted in recent
years for this purpose.
The other business OF the afternoon ses-
sion was not OF unusual interest The
town council through it's president pre-
sented recommendation stating the sums
which appeared TO be needed to carry
on the several departments during the
fiscal year and these were all adopted
.l.k tt<w. A n q rrar
appropriation for the Highway department
was made than in recent years, but this
was made necessary by reason OF the fact
that there was a large deficiency in this
department.
Francis II. McGirr called the meeting
to order and Peter j. Gaskin was elected
moderator.
Collector OF taxes presented several as
sessments, asking that they be abated and
this started a general discussion regard
ing the abatement of taxes in which
number OF the voters took a part. Finally
there was a motion regarding the selling
OF certain property on bellevue plat. on
which IL was said the taxes had not been
paid, and after a thorough discussion the
collector was ordered TO collect.
Patrick II. Klnion called attention to the
fact that according 10 the report OF the
town treasurer the town debt now
amounts 10 500, 900. and that this had
grown In about 2S years. He advocated
the appointment OF a committee OF nine
taxpayers who shall look over the stu
alton and report to this meeting as to
the needs of the different departments for
the coming year He declared that this
was a policy that was adopted satisfac-
torily IN many Massachusetts, towns and
he believed that IL would work we'll In
this town.
Anthony I. Earle and Senator McKenna
opposed this, declaring that the voters
had just elected a body OF men who were
quite capable OF attending to the affairs
OF the town without any advisors
John +. Hudson thought the methods
In vogue In this town were better than
those used In North Attleboro which had
been named as one OF the towns which
had adopted this system. A motion TO
lay the resolution on the table prevailed
The appropriations for the coming year
were then taken UP and the sum Of $4,000
was voted for the school department. with
additional $3.50 for evening schools. For
the support of the poor the sum OF 90
was appropriated.
Then began the long and decidedly In
teresting discussion regarding the police
department. IL began with a resolution
offered by Mr. Kinion providing that the
resolution passed in 1894 fixing the salaries
OF the members OF the police department
at $50 per month be rescinde6.
Mr.. Kinion stated that the town was
now paying $3.50 per month for this de-
partment and IL was not getting the
value of It's money. He declared that
there was not town In New England
more overridden by police. He instanced a
number OF cases in which he claimed he
had failed TO secure proper redress when
he had made complaint He thought that
IL would be a good thing to get rid OF a
,NN1 Fpr nh hine af flxr
way.
Mr.. Evans stated that he lived In the
northern section OF the town and that
there were a number OF houses of Ill fame
In that section of which he had frequently
complained to the police and TO members
OF the town council, without anything be-
ing done TO suppress them. He declared
that these people paid no liquor license
but we're permitted TO sell liquor at all
hours and every day in the week
DR.. Smith said that as a member OF the
school committee for the past three years
he found II very difficult to obtain school
teachers for Diamond Hill because Of
these houses of III fame Windows In the
school buildings were broken. We have
reported these matters time and again 10
the town council and chief OF police. but
there is no protection for the school
houses of Cumberland but there Is pro-
lection for the houses OF Ill fame.
John f. Judson said he lived in the
section under discussion and that these
houses OF III fame were known TO be In
existence. He was not in favor OF abolish
ing the police force but he favored taking
politics out OF H.
Senator McKenna declared that II was
an easy matter TO find fault with the po-
lice. He believed that IL people had any
complaints they should be made TO the
town council. He did not think there was
any politics in the force and he declared
that IN his opinion no police officer OF this
town would protect house OF this char
acter. lie also said that this was not the
place in which TO wash the dirty linen OF
the town.
Mr.. McGirr said that he understood that
both parties received pay from these
places and that II the resolution was
passed this would at least put stop 20
his kind OF graft.
Dr. Smith said that II was n sorry
spectacle 10 see the senator from this
town championing the houses OF Ill fame.
Senator McKenna denied that he was a
sponsor for these places.
10 In. ha resolution nm the