The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1817-03-26


warrant him in discussing before the Legis-
lature, theso various subjects, end recon-
mendiog either, or eny Of them, or any
olher measure, for legislative adoption -
What means OF Information has the Govern
or of This State, especially Mr.. Jones, over
any other citiZeH! And were his means G.
quail 10 his ambition, and his industry equal
10 both, what has the General Assembly OF
:his State 10 do with the politics OF Europe--
even as they respect this county. Wha.
have they 10 do with the comtne cial regnla-
tions of other countries What have ihey
to do with religion Nothing These ale
all subjects without their jurisdiC ion.
Where to ask, what have they 10 do, in
their legislative capacity, with cold weather
or hot, iros, or snow, wet weather or dry,
sound corn or crgot, your readers might por-
haps smile, and suspect that meant 10 laugh
at His Excellency. II the questions provoke
smile, 1t certainly ough, to be al his cx-
pence. They fairly result from hisTepealed
statements.
Blu, ask again--What Law makes il the
day Of Mr. Jones at every session of the
General Assembly, 10 make a written com.
municatiJn!' BY what su,hority does he do
u BY what principle does he impose on
them, unasked for, extrajudicially, nay lille.
gally, his opinion on sub jecfs which may pos
sb!e come before them ! And by what prin-
clplC docs bo urge upon them measures nor
boGore them The Governor Of this State,
officially considered, has very little power.
This State is, and ever bas been, democracy
in principle snd habit. The authority Of
Moderator OF a townmeetlng is much great.
er in and over the meeting, than that Of the
Governor in or over the General Assembly
OF its proceedings. A mode stor is an tfic.
lent member OF the meeting he is TO keep
older and the pece, put votes, vota himself,
may noe Or Commit for disorderly behavior,
&c. &c. But the Governor is only The pres.
iding officer OK The upper house ; and when
r,ll, has no vote, Lot even the sasInY, (by an
uoconstitNA iona, pnd ridlc ulous law passed in
1871, which slr. Jones hims. II sanctioned)
for when full, here enn be 40 tie. In The
Grand CODmiuee, over which he prcs,des
mercy as a moderator, he has "a caslinQ vote
only; but has no power - any other respect
equal 10 any other memhcr of the Lecisla.
lure. TO ,hrus, 10 hi, opinion, therefore, =,
every session, unsolicited, without law or
precedent, say again, is illegal, and so fai
as immemotiel usage Will GO, unconsti,ution-
al. The iato gives him no right 10 offer his
opinion 10 The Legislature, if 10 the upper
house, nor 10 vote, except III certain cases
To evadc the law, he gives an ohicial,
though extrajudcal, opinion, deliberately,
and 10 way, SO far as he is capable of ex.
pressing his opinion, not to be misunderstood
and as efiectual!y as though he were a mem
bcr OF 6oth houses.
do not think, however, that Mr.. Jones'
practice originated in an Intention 10 violate
the law, but in a desire to imilale the Gov
ernors Of the other States ; not knowing him.
self, and having no friend honest enough 20
explain TO him, the difference between their
powers and his. The naltIy pride OF aping
the President Of the United States and the
King in Parliament, in the exercise Of their
constitutional powers, has no doubt led many
Of the Govrnors of the United States into
some IL the absurdiies OF which Mr. Jones
is guilty; particularly in remarking IN topics
wholly without their cognizance, and without
all Legislative contro.. Bui Mr. Jones should
know, that the constitutions of those States
make it the duty of their Governors, not only
TO communicate information, but ~ recon
m, nd topics for consideration, and measures
for adoption. None of these powers belong
to the Governor Of this Statv Ire laws
srangeiy suppose that other men, purposely
selected to legislate, may have as much wis
dom, and ;discernment and patriotism, as the
Governor. The treatment which his MESA
ges have received from his own party, ought
TO have learnt him silence. The subjects
recommended TO legislative consideration
have seldom been nouSed by them, end less
seldom adopted. What has he recommend.
cd in his last communication A revision
Of the judiciary system and tho penal code.
What was done Nothing. g.--Chef Jus
Burrill has resigned his Office 10 go to Con-
gress, and left an Incomplete Court to per
form the business of the spring circuit and
the Assembly have not even appointed a sue
ccsso "A wel-armed and organized militia
was, a. useual, again What
was done to effect this Worse than moth
Jog. They 'educed the nrmber of trainings,
L. -.