The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1825-11-10

Inc motion however was indirectly test
1.-THE strength OF Mr.. Robbins i'm the House
and was lost, "A in the affirmative to ;}2 in
the negative, two Of the Providence dele
CATION voting in the affirmative and one in
the negative, the other not being present.
Motions were then made for 2 O'Clock 3 o.
clock, | ] and IL o'clock. The question be-
ing taken on the motion for 3 o'clock, there
were 80 for it and 81 against it. The mo-
ton for IL o'clock then prevailed, 30 vot-
ing in It's favor, and Mr.. Knight Of John
ston was directed TO give notice of the
same TO the Senate aud request their ac-
cordance with the vote of the House; to
which it was replied, that the Senate would
take 1t into consideration and give timely
notice. A message was subsequently sent
to the Senate, informing them OF the wish
Of the House to proceed on the trial of the
Docket, to which the Senate returned that
IT would be inconyenient to join the House
for that purpose. A quarter before 2, Mr..
Waterman of the Senate, came in with a
message from that body, informing the
House that the Senate would be ready to
join for the choice of Senator at 9 O'clock
on Saturday morning, upon which the
House voted to accede to the proposition.
Tbe mode in which the question was dis
posed of III the Senate, was as follows. A.
bout quarter before IL, it was suggested
to his Excellency the Governor, the presd-
ing officer OF the Senate, that it was neces-
sary to dispose of the message from the
House, for joining them at II o'clock TO
proceed to the choice Of Senator. Hon.
John X. Waterman moved that the Senate
do not join the House, until . o'clock Sat
urday morning. His Honor. Lieut.. Gov.
Collins, suggested that his health rendered
it important that he should return home as
soon as possible, and the earliest time for
the choice would promote his personal
convenience. His Excellency thereupon
proposed Q o'clock, WITHOUT taking the
question whether the Senate would or
would not accede to the proposition from
the House. This question was consider
ed test Of the views Of those voting upon
it in relation to the two candidates, and it
is pretty well asccrtained the Senate in
Grand Committee, voted precisely in ac-
cordance with this indicat.on.l Upon the
question being put by his Eycellency for 8
O'Clock Saturday, Messrs. Nathan Brown,
John II. Waterman, Nathan NJ. Wheaton,
and William James, d, rose in the otfirma-
tive. Hon. Benjamin Smith partly rose
from his seat, under misapprehension of
the question, but Immediately sat down.
The others remained standing the usual
time for being counted. The negative was
then called and Messrs. Charles Collins,
Stephen 3. Cornell, William Whipple, Eli
sha Watson, and Benjamin Smith, 5, rose
and stood long enough to be counted. His
Exceliency thereupon declared tie, and
also decided in favor Of joining the House
at o'clock Saturday morning, with which
message, Hon. Mr.. Waterman was charged
On Saturday morning, a little before ten,
the Senate came IN and the two Houses
Joined for the purpose of choosing Sena-
TOR, which was stated by his EXcellency,
the presiding officer, and nomination was
called for. Mr.. Northam of Newport, then
nominated Elisha X. Potter, and Mr..
Sprague, of Smithffeid, nominated Asher
Robbins. While the ballots were prepar-
ing a discussion ensued, which it is bcliev-
al :. sear rcely rarallnled i'm tho annals of
legislation. A desperate attack was made
upon Mr.. Robbins, which, from the mode
IN which it was urged, and the mastery,
deliberate and magnanimous manner in
which If was met by the person against
whom it was directed, produced an intense
anxiety in the minds of all present, and
presented one ofthe most interesting scenes
we have ever witnessed, or scarcely read
of, in deliberative assembly. The effect
was irresistible, and, admitting the balance
before remained suspended, it was now de-
cidedly turned. In this stage Mr.. Hazard,
of Newport, nominated VIM. G.. Gibbs as a
third candidate. The discussion lasted un-
til half past u, when the result was found
to be, Whole number of votes, 81, Tinclud-
ing every member Of the Legislature, ex-
cept Messrs. Eldridge and Field, of the
Senate, absent.
Necessary to choice, Al
Mr.. Robbins had 43
Mr.. Potter 36
Mr.. Gibbs |