The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1825-11-17

clll,ate the business, he was in favour OF
the provision for three courts, as the sec
ton stood.
Mr.. Hunter stated that being insome de-
gree convinced by the argument that had
been urged, and fearing the success ofthc
bill might be endangered, he begged leave
10 withdraw the proposed amendment.
Mr.. Wilbur, Of Coventry, said he hoped
the amendment would not be withdrawn
lie believed thatthe arguments used against
it were in factinits favour. Fhe idea Of
having commissioners residing in different
parts Of the counties to accommodate petit
toners,was unnecessarily adding to the ia
cilities Of prefcring these petitions. There
wasno danger but that sufficient number
of petitions would be presented, and the
petitioners would find their way TO the
Commissioners though they might reside
at some distance. He believed that if the
Commissioners did not live in the vicinity
yof applicants, and were not az quainted with
their affairs, they would be more likely to
dispense justice with their affsirs, i'm
partially. AS to the saving Of expense, if
the Commissioners had to leave home at
all, as two ofthem at least must do in each
county, there would be but little difference
whether it was n short or considerable
distance. He therefore renewed the motion
TO amend the I'd section. This however
was not seconded, and the question being
taken the I'd section was adopted unani-
mously. The seventh section provides for
the liberation of petitioners from Jail, on
giving bonds to return in ten days after the
petition should be withdrawn or dismissed,
if not granted. Some suggestions were
made as to the technical meaning Of the
term dismissed, as it might imply in the
ordinary sense dismissal without q hear
ing, but the understanding Of the House
was that the term implied only d legal dis
missal on proper grounds, and an amend
ment was deemed to be unnecessary The
other sections were adopted without obiec-
ton, and the bill passed.
Mr.. Bridgham, suggested tha; some further
provisions were necessary in relation to pc
titions now pending before the Assembly,
and on motion of Mr.. Bicknell, the sub
jcct was referred 70 Messrs. Dixson Rob
bins and Bridgham, who reported the fol-
Lowing addition to the 10th section:
That petitioners now before the Assem-
bly,, be and hereby are permitted and di-
rccted to take their petitions and documents
accompanying the same now pending before
this General Assembly, and enter the same
in soid Courts accordingly, at the firstte
thereof, on the second day thereof, and
shall pay the.cn thereon at the time
ofentering the same; and that until the sit
ting of the said Courts respectively, all pro-
coedings for debt against the persons Of
those who have petitions now pending for
the benefit Of said act, be stayed; and that
ell who have petitions pending as Aforesaid,
and are confined in Jail be liberated upon
giving bonds to the satisfaction of the sew
eral sberifls, to return to Jail within ten
days after their respective petitions shall
be finally disposed of, provided the same be
not granted: which was approved.
THE fate of this bill in the Senate ap-
pcared somewhat doubtful at first but
on Friday afternoon was returned with
some necessary amendments, substituting
the word debtors, for petitioners in the title
of the Act, altering the term in Providence
from the lst to the I'd Mondays in Febru-
airy and august, and requiring the Shcriifs
in the several Counties to attend upon the
Court All Of which were concurred in by
the House..
Providence journal.