The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-07-17
NEW POR T.:
VED.NESD.9Y, JULY II, 1871.
FREE SUFFRAGEl


Of all the pttu subtertuges to which federalism
has ever been reduced in this State, have never
witnessed any SO Slaingly Inconsistent with, dcro
gstory to, the principles of Republioanism, The
shameful opposition TO the FREE SUFFRAGE Bill,
debated at the last session ot the General Assembly
considerable portion OF our citizens, (among whom
We regret TO say few republicans are tound) arc SO
bgotted IN favour of the charter granted by Charles
Sta0rt, and gracious continuation OF the by his
successors down TO the time Of great George
kIng, that any innovation is considered crime, little
short of sacIlege. Under this charter. every free
man makes himself dependent upon his more veal
thy employer, from whom he has the misfortune to
ditter IN political sentiments, ny having his vote
posed with his name written on the back. A door
is also opened to many species OK fraud, when have
been successfully practiced elections Gre
ating illegal voters
Is 1t because the federalists are afraid to trust 10
the voice OF majority Vt the people Is it bee use
they wish mo'led minority to rule Is it because
they think men who have inhaled the air of freedom
and independence live and thirty years, incapable
OF making any Improvement on I'D musty, worm-
eaten instrument, dictated by herd of sycoph: n,ick
mobiles, and signed by sceptred Sea. cna, or is it
because they conscientlousy believe that q" al men
are NoT BORN free and equal" that the excellent FREE
SUFFRAGE Bill Was opposed, its tendency misrepre-
senied, ITS advotat nsulied, and the Bill itself f.
nay rejected by tie Assembly? Whatever may
have be.n the cause, We dare hazard the opinion,
that motives of party policy, regard for political
paiEzans, and dread OF the majesty of the people
at The ensuing elections, weighed more in their
minds, han the eternal principles of JUSTICE!
Ma N as MAN and zsho is more ?'
Citizens Of Rhode-isiund! Read the following Act
OF the Legislature of Massachusetts, and blush for
the conduct Of pretended orily of your ow Rep
resentatives |!
Commonwealth Of Massachusetts.
In the yea. Of our Lord one Mopsand e,gLt Aua-
dred md eleUeR.-.H .Ict regulating the cIVice
Of torn clfcera a,d Iooa-.Neetmys.
Sec. l.--be IL enacted by The Senate and
House If KehresenfatiUes in General Court,
and BY The authority u the sane, That every
male citizen OF this Commonwealth, ot 2
years OF age and upwards, who has resided
within any town or district for one year next
preceding his voting, shall be entitled to a
vote III such town in the election of all town.
oilicers-Provided, however, that no person
shall be so entitled to vote, who is supported
by such town or district as a pauper-hnd
every citizen, aforesaid, who has resided
within s.y town for one year as aforesaid, and
during said term, has been taxed for his poll
or any estate, In any tax voted 10 DC raised by
said town, shall be entitled TO vote III all 9TH
er town affairs.
Sec. 2.-Be IL further enacted, That the
election of Moderators of all town meetings
for the choice Of town officers, of town CLERK >,
selectmen, assessors and treasurers, Shall be
by written ballots, and during the election of
the moderator fer any town m eGtng, the town
clerk shsll preside, and shall have all the
powers, and do all the duties which the mod
orator OF town Meeting now by law has and
does.
Sec. 2.--Be IL further enacted, That ii the
moderator or selectmen presiding at any town
meeting, without tho consent of the voter,
shall read or examine, Oh ~ttempi TO read or
examine, or permit any other person to read
or examine, the name or names written on
his ballot Or ticket, before the poll is closed,
the moderator, selectmcn, or selectman, so
offending. shall each of them, on conviction
forfeit and paw to the use of such town, the
sum Of Fifty dollars, to be recovered by in
dic'men' in any ec1gt eompe:cn; TO 'ry the
same,