The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-06


OF the people.
BOARD OF CANvAsSERs
wish TO call your attention to the sub
1ect OF the board OF canyassefs and regis
tration. whose power is absolute. whose
decision Is final, and upon whose Judg-
ment as TO the validity or invalidity OF
single ballot I'm a close contest may de-
pend the result OF an election. In the
last municipal election there was tie
vote for one member Of the common
council. and the city was put to the ex-
pense Of about 5000 for new election In
the Third ward. by reason OF the board
declining to comply with the petition OF a
candidate for a recount, which would
have occupied but a few hours time.
Such arbitrary exercise of discretion is
too expensive. An appeal To the supreme
court upon the question OF the validity or
a single ballot might have saved this ex-
pense. believe. therefore. that the act
creating this body should be 80 amended
that the decision OF the supreme court
/ may be obtained. whenever there may be
dissatisfaction with the decisions OF the
board OF canvassers. as to the validity 0
any OF the ballots cast. and recommend
that a resolution be passed author .zing
the city solicitor 10 ask OF the general as
sembly an amendment 10 this effect:
SPEEDY STREET CARS.
Constant complaints are made that un-
lawful speed OF cars on North Main.
Cranston and other streets has kept dust
In motion to such extent as TO compel
shopkeepers and residents 10 keep win
dows and doors closed. / investigated
and found that these complaints were
true: also that the street cars were
driven at the rate OF from IL 70 20 miles
an hour on North Main street between
Oiney street and the North Burial ground.
I recommend that the railway company
be required 10 water ell highways, at its
excuse, where cars cause dust annoy
ance.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
recommend the enactment Of such
laws. ordinances. and rules Is may be re-
tuired to provide for the following mat
ters:
i. The establishment OF public mar
ket.
2. Adequate public comfort stations.
8. To encourage the cultivation and
care Of shade trees and TO furnish public
highways with same,
4. Providing shelters at waiting places
for street car patrons This should be
done by the street railway companies.
s. To request said companies to grant
reduced fare with transfer privileges to
day and evening school children and pu-
pills at the evening high school.
G. To require said companies TO adopt
a proper safety fender for cars. and to
provide more cars during rush hours and
especially in stormy weather: also to en-
force the rules regarding ventilation
T. To grant franchise privileges TO said
companies, subject to condition that the
tracks wherever located, especially In the
| business centres, shalr be removed by
order OF the city council whenever public
necessity demands. This provision is
necessary in order to prevent said COM
panies from acquiring perpetual franchise
rights I'm places where other streets OF
| equal value or convenience cannot be SUBJ
| stituted, because under the existing fran
chise laws. all rights now held or here
after acquired by said companies may be-
1 come perpetual unless given condition
ally The New Yorh New Haven and
Hartford Railroad company now owns
! and controls the street railway systems
! Of Rhode Island. unde, lease for term
of ee9 years. The present generation
should not bind the people Of Providence
| for q period OF centuries TO private corpo-
| rations created TO serve the people.
J s. To provide that all conduits and
structures built I'm or upon streets high.
ways. or public squares. shall be owned
end controlled by the city. Public SER
! Woe corporations increase in number. but
our highway area Is limited. save IL ior
J the people, and get for them just equiv
alent for it's use. treating such corpora
tons euuitably In spirit of mutual Co
operation, granting them every privilege
requisite for rendering adequate or rea-
class facilities. and providing for the ac-
commodation, comfort and safety OF the
public always. and affordihg said corpo-
rations such protection as will ensure per-
gard for equitable charges and returns
In service or dividends to the city.
9. Adequate provision for retiring
school teachers fund.
10. Equalization OF police pensions and
compensation for extra detail service.
IL. To license motormen and automobile
drivers, In order to ensure a higher de-
gree OF care in driving electric and other
motor power engines on public highways.
IL. Reduction of charges for water and
for meters. etc, furnished by the city.
Is. Revision OF our tax laws relieving
mortgages from assessment; under Jour
present laws the owner of mortgaged
property Is taxed double.
IA. Election OF tax assessors by the peo-
pie instead OF by the city council
ment OF personal property taxes of cleo
tors made for political purposes, and
thus do away with a custom long estab-
lished and approved by tho dominant
party TO ensure its control OF the coun-
ell
Is. Prohibiting contracts between the
city and members OF the city govern
ment. The city council has heretofore
permitted its members to trade with
the city. This practice In not conducive
TO impartial. non-partisan or economical
administration of the public purse. No
man can serve two masters well. A menu
ber Of the council voting money into his
own pocket Ia serving himself He was
elected to serve the people. II is a fact.
that even now, a few prominent MEM
berr of the council. exercising consider
able political infuence, advocate and de-
fend the practice Of giving municipal
work and contracts 20 members OF the
city council. Such business methods are
opposed 10 good government, foster gra n
and corruption of the electorate by Offer
Ing Inducements TO mercenary men TO
seek election
IL. During the past year. contrary To
previous custom, the committee on city
property advertised for bids on contracts
Tor work on schoolhouses. all proposals
to be opened in presence Of the COMMITTEES
and bidders. the result being that the
school repair work for the year 1907 was
done at about 70 per cent less than prices
for similar work previously done for the
city. The committee on health adopted
the same method and may effect a sav.
ing OF about twenty thousand ts20 00O)
dollars on the swill and garbage contract
for five years. Chapter IL, section Z, OF
the City Ordinances. should be amended
70 onfharfvA damn ~ mani nf r,athllc