The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-07
Following IL the full text Of she mes
,ge submitted by Mayor Patrick }.
cCartby to the city council todayi
THE MESSAGE

tge submitted by Mayor Patrick j.
cCartby "a the city council todayi
THE MESSAGE
Gentlemen OF the city Councils
We are assembled this first Monday In
January 20 organize the municlpal gov
ernment OF the city or Providence ior
IL is customary for the mayor 10 pre-
sent an Inaugural address, stating such
matters as he deems advisa bic for your
consideration as public servants elected
by the taxpayers but whose DUTY 10 10
serve all the people. A mayor VINO mas
ment the year preceding his election, must
look TO the several municipal departments
for information. I have not been mem
ber of the city government since Decem-
Der 81 1894. SUIT have before and since
that time taken an interest In municipal
affairs. Herein set forth such matters as
my previous experience and data FUR
nished by heads or departments. lesd me
60 believe are proper TO urge upon your
ters referred 10. win be presented 10 You,
during the term, In more formal manner
for action.
am aware that / cannot in this ad-
dress cover or even refer TO all the SUB
jects that YOU will be required 10 consld.
ar, but | feel assured that majority OF
the present council having had expert
euce I'm office and desiring an ideal adj
mnistration, will. by their knowledge OF
the needs OF the city and their jealous In
terest in it's development. be ab'o 10 sup
ply all that the government OF Providence
requires
tives of state, city and town, should each
submit annually. at the end OF their re-
spective terms, an address setting forth
the term. referring 70 matters or import
ance pending and recommending what eN-
future action: and this Inform the sue
ceeding administration and the people.
This has never been done In Providence,
but modern methods and American pro-
gressiveness demands the best service
public servants can render at all times. In
the event OF tho decease OF the mayor.
during the term. the president OF the
BOARD OF aldermen, as acting mayor, could
perform such service.
In this connection, ] suggest the advisa-
bllity Of requiring all city councilmen TO
give an annual report 10 their consut-
uents before election time, especially II
they seek denomination for office.
Taxpayers have heretofore neglected
their duty citizens I'm allowing "A few
men In each ward 10 select representa-
tives 10 the city council; and have never
required any member OF the council TO
give an account OF his stewardship. Con-
sequently the city government has been
great majority being passive. giving very
little attention 10 public matters IL Is
time the taxpayers took notice and re-
solved TO attend the primary meetings
10 select men who are competent and
willing 10 serve the public conscentiously
There Is no room for partisanship In
municipal affairs; national and state is
sues should not influence the oity gov
ernment. Hence partisan politics should
not he INDUCED or tolerated in city trans
actions.
Public Lighting
Providence is one OF the best lighted
cities In this country. 1t Is alleged that
several streets are furnished with TOO
many arc-lamps,-that the more Influence
the ward counclmen possess the greater
hight Is shed In their respective wards. i
recommend the appointment OF a Joint
special COMMITTEES to investigate and re-
rppOrnnpnda-
tions as to more equal distribution OF
street lights
The existing contract, between the city
and the Narragansett Electric Lighting
company, is in litigation. A bill In equity
was recently filed IN the United states
circuit court for the district OF Rhode ISL
and. brought by taxpayer. 10 test the
validity OF said contract.
The original contract entered into be-
tween the city and the electric lighting
company In 1899. under the provisions OF
the legislative act. provided that a new
contract should be entered into every
three years. arranging the rates for light
ing streets and the amount to be paid
therefor during the ensuing three years
Abort a year ago, In order that the city
, Ion that might be made at the expiration
| T the existing contract, which ended in
\ une, 1905 new contract was made with
aid company, TO run from Jan. j 1905, TO
he expiration of the company's twenty
5ear franchise, viz. June 10, 1918 II was
claimed at the time that this arrangement
$4,000
The price of lights was fixed as follows:
Arc. 10 burn all night and every night
81 cents per night, from Jan. 1. 1906, TO
June Is, 1909. and IA cents for the suc-
ceeding three years ending June 10, 1912.
Arc lights extinguished at midnight b5
Der cent of the above price.
Incandescent lights 10 burn all night and
very night ga per year. as at present, to
iune 10, 1872. lncandescent lights extin-
yuished at midnight, SO per cent OF the
Pending the decision of the court,
refer not to express an opinion on the
] after at present. but simply desire 20
e. III attention TO the facts.
I ;ntract With Public Service Cor
o. pOratiop.
an, making contracts between the city
~, 4 public service corporations or par
ne engaged in large undertakings. the
iul Use the parties seeking to contract with
city are, In every instance experts
o their particular lines and are always
' presented by skilled men versed I'm
ealing with public officials on the other
and, the mon who make the bargains
or the city are city councilman mem
2ers or the several committees appointed
n the usual course OF procedure-and not
we'll qualified TO deal with all matters
which they may be required to consider
Consequently the city's side OF the case
not always as well sustained as the
ther side, and the private party or cor
Grafton, by the aid OF experts, gets the
sitter Of the bargain / recommend.
ierefore, that the law department be re
ired to attend all hearings and 10 as
81 committees IN making contracts In
living Iona terms and large sums. After
certaining competitive terms and
Ices, | recommend. also. that the mayor
empowered TO appoint special commit
- 10 assist the regular council commit
es upon matters requiring special skill
nd attention: and that he also be en-
covered 10 engage expert assistance 20