The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-03

tolerated as long as il should be- The welfare OF
our state peremptorly demands vigorous and
prompt action on this matter-action which will
result in keeping from within these walls lobby
lists like the one above described-onc, declared by
my respected predecessor to be menace TO the
state of Rhode Island"
consideration for the large number of citizens
OF Rhode Island who carry life insurance in COM
panies or fraternal societies prompts the governor
to recommend the enactment Of legislation that
will require insurance companies and fraterna
organizations TO make annual more frequent
reports TO the insurance commissioner, and will
give him reasonable supervisory powers over them.
Scrupulous economy i'll public expenditures is
advocated in order that there may be a return to
the pay-as-we-go policy which has been departed
from during recent years
The necessity of the immediate creation of
the office the incumbent of which shall be
state bank examiner. clothed with full power
to supervise, inquire into and act upon all matters
relating to the management of state banks, savings
banks, institutions for savings and trust companies
is convlncingly set forth, and Governor Higgins
expresses his belief that all officers OF banks or
trust companies should be ineligible for the office
of bank examiner, and that if an examiner becomes
indebted to any bank or trust company or engages
or is interested i'll the sale of securities or the
negotiation of loans for others his tenure of office
should cease at once.
Repeal of Chapter 500 of the public laws by
which the power of appointment is stripped from
the governor and vested in the senate is forcefulv
urged and the passage of laws that will prevent
state, city and town officers from being interested
either directly or indirectly, in any business trans
action, contract other matter to which the state
city or town, any department, board or COM
mission thereof may be party, is strongly recon-
nended.
Passage of uniform laws recently agreed upon
by the commission which considered the subject
those relating to divorce is advocated
Stricter regulations should also be adopted con-
,erning the Identification of persons applying for
marriage licenses. 1t is the governors conviction
hat applicants should be personally known to the
officer issuing licenses, that those performing
marriage ceremony should certify that the con
racting parties personally known to them
He advises a suspension of judgment unsil the |
efficiency of the child labor law, which went into
operation on the first of the present year has been
ested, but he declares strict enforcement of the |
aw must be positively insisted upon and that fac |
ory inspectors must be held to rigid accountability
or diligent performance of their duties.
Other recommendations are for the re-enact-
nent OF the ten-hour law for street railway en-
)loyes the abolition of state appointed police COM
missions, the giving of the control of the police de-
TO the mayors of the several cities and |
he regular appropriation of such sums will con-
nue the building of good roads throughout the
state.
AS whole the message is sensible, business |
ike and convincing document IL the recommenda-
lions it contains given that favorable considera-
ion and action by the general assembly they
deserve many of the evils that afct the common
wealth will be rooted out many grievous wrongs
viii be righted and the people will enjoy peace,
progress and contentment under that representa-
i've government which is their inaienabe heritage
Is free American citizens