The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1828-01-24

Jneouorc oeter, uncte 70 tue PIese"' ~
vernon. The Senate concured BY ad-
journing for the same purpose.
Thursday, Jan. IA Bill was report
ed TO the house BY Mr.. Lemuel II. Arnold
of Providence providing that in all suits
brought before Justices Of the Peace, and
not answered by the Defendant, the
Plaintiff should, IN no case, recover more
costs than the amount Of the debt; and
that the same Justice who has drawn or
filed the original writ, in any suit, shall,
in no case sit and hear and render Judg-
ment on said suit. Ordered to lie on the
table.
The House then proceeded to the or
ders Of the day and commenced with the
bill TO establish Free Schools. After the
reading of the bill, Mr.. J. L. Tillinghast
of Providence, arose and offered some ell
oquent and appropriate remarks IN sup
port of the bill.
Mr. #. pointed out some defects in the
act of 1900, which the bill under conside
ration has avoided Adduced the expert
ence of the town of Providence as proof in
point Of the utility Of free sch ools. In
sisted that actual experience was forci.
bic argument on this subject and worth
more than mere theory, however plausible.
He then went into calculation 10 show,
that an appropriation of 10000 dollars
might be made, and annually continued in
aid Of free schools from the surplus reve-
nue derived from Lotteries and sales at
auction, without the necessity Of direct
taxation, and without interfering with any
other object or appropriation. Mr.. Il.
concluded by an explanation of the prom
nent features of his bill and the grounds
upon which the Committee had reported
them to the House.
Mr.. John X. Waterman, said he was
not in favor Of the provisions of the bill in
committee, and proceeded to state his oh.
jec,ions to it. He said it was impoitic to
enact it at the present time, because the
sources of the present revenue might not
continue. They were not on the basis of
absolute certainty. Our expenses were
increasing as well as our revenue. Peo
pie Of affluence in the large towns might
esteem expenses Of little consequence.
They did not feel them. But the Farmers
find rigid economy necessary. He said
the provisions of this bill were inconsls
tent with the enlightened views of the
people Of the present day. He went into
a minute calculation TO show that a dstrl-
button of the sum appropriated upon the
prime pies OF taxation, as provided in the
bill, would be unequal; that upon this
principle the Northern and more wealthy
part of the state would receive from the
treasury more money IN proportion to their
t,a ha Snn.I,n.n
parts, merely because they pay greater
portion of the sum appropriated. lie,
therefore, preferred the distribution &C
cordlng TO population, that the richer parts
of the state might assist the poarer.-He
also objected to the expense of building
more school houses, &c.
Mr.. Waterman concluded by Offering
substitute for the bill under discussion,
which he called un amendment 10 it, to be
added to it, after striking out all the bill
hui the enacting clause.
This mere amendment, which has some
appearances of substitute, provided, in
short, that the appropriation should const-
tute the beginning Of a fund the interest
If which should be devoted 10 schools at
some future day, when 1t should amount to
a sufficient sum, if some future Genera
Assembly, should not see fit to divert this
fund to some other object.
Towards evening the question on Mr.
lNatcrman's amendment was taken and
lost, eleven only rising in its favor.
After this decided expression of the
House IN favor of the principle and object
Of the bill it was recommended for amend
ment agreeably to the sense of the House
expressed in discussion.
On Friday Morning, the Committee re.
ported the bill as amended. After tho
rough discussion Of it, several verbal a..
and improvements, and as ma
ny abortlve attempts on various pretensions
to defeat it, the bill was finally passed by
nearly a unanimous vote.
The bill for the relief Of Insolvent debt.
ors was then called up and on motion Of
Mr.. + X. Potter laid on the table.
A Bill for licensing money brokers and
sellers Of foreign lottery tickets was called
up, discussed, and finally passed without
amendment. BY the provisions of this
act the councils are authorised to license
any person TO sell on paying one hundred
dollars for license, and giving bond to pay
over to the Gen. Treas. one per cent. on
the amount Of tickets sold at retail.
Mr.. l.. II Arnold reported bill for
the relief of poor prisoners for debt. Af.
ter some discussion Of this bill, the Houses
joined to proceed on the docket Of peti.
tions. This Bill provides that any debtor
who shall reman in jail six months without
taking the poor prisoners oath. shall no,
be entitled to the liberty Of the yard, but be
confined to close Jail. Continued to the
next session.
Saturddy-The Insolvent act was called
up and after debate, in which messrs. Haz.
ard, Potter, Arnold, Tillinghast and Bull
took part, on call Of the House, il pass