Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-10-01
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HIGH sTREET-CIrx CuAnrzM.


adoption OF city form Of government, I wish
in an especial manner to address myself; and
in the first place, I would state that am a
Republican TO the back bone. and that I will
not yield the palm TO either Of those who COM
posed the late meeting at Hopkins Inn. as
firm and determined opposer oi Aristocracy.-
But sm not one Of those who are willing that
feeling and excitement alone, should govern
tho civil. political, or religious concerns of
this community neither ought any man to
use an influence TO support old and establish
ed opinions and regulations, merely because
they are old. nor yet to blindly exercise him
self in supporting my ne~ thing. bacause il is
now; but to carefully examine and weigh tho
subject, with honest minds and understanding
hearts. Tho influence Of men in this commu-
nifty generally, and probably Of most others,
has bccn, and is now. according to the amount
Of wealth they are supposed 10 possess for if
they have this all important qualification, no
matter whether they possess any othor 1T is
all sufficient they are the men to hold Offices
in tho gift Of the people. do not wish to'be
personal, but it may with truth be asserted,
tba, a certain number Of certain class Of
men, and small number, too, under our pre-
sent form Of government, are enabled to put
into Office just such men as they please. Now
we will suppose that instead oc this certain
number Of men meeting at some convenient
Office not far from tho Town House, for the
purpose Of cutting and carving for Offices, they
should be compelled to meet in Wards where
they reside, and by this plan, their COMFORT Of
action for themselves and favorites would be
frustrated will you not say, that so far, at
least, the City Charter is preferable, which
by each ward, TO act as Common Council
Men the Mayor and Aldermen TO be chosen
at large. Our town meetings take up much Of
the time Of freemsn, who would wish 10 be 9TH
orwise employed, (and /" time is monoy'') but
they attend tho meetings they think they
ought to do so-and under our present mode
| Of managing the prudential and fiscal affairs
Of the town, they undoubtedly should DO on
the alert, and look we'll TO their rights and in
terest (; but after oil, haze not many thi.gs
been done, which majority Of the freemen
disapprove Of, being got up TO answer the
v;ows Of certain interested individuals and
not having timc, or the freemon being woaricd,
they arc passed by an acclamation, or by a
hand vote, counted, perhaps, by an interested
Moderator.
Some Of you gentlemen on High Street,
who love money so well that the smallest tar
proposed, generally has your appreciation,
should seriously weigh the above consdera-
tions They relate to the moned affairs of
the town. and am perfectly satisfied that had
our government been for ton years past similar
to that now proposed, il would have been a
saving Of thousands Of dollars to the comnu-
nifty, and had every thing done that has been;
and afforded decent salaries to competent
men as officers.
But, gentlemen, know you agree with me,
| that some alteration in tho manner Of exocu-
ting our laws, is absolutely necessary the OK
pences which necessarily accrue, besides the
time consumed about any ono thing, (even the
| removing Of Slaughter Houses, which have
raised most Of you in arms more than once,
on account Of their being nuisances too bad to
be borne,) is sufficient to satisfy you that some
other method Of executing laws should DO
speedily adopted and that it is high time in
this community, that citizens who are solely
for their own private interest, feelings and
wills. should he compelled to part with them
in some small degree, when the public good
requires it. A community like ours, and gov
erned as ours is, will assuredly lead to an
arcby, as that an effect will follow caus-; !;
and beg Of you, before you rashlv oppose all
NEW THINGS that may be proposed, to ex-
anime them with care and attention, and not
suffer your better feelings to be warped by the
specious cry Of .arafoeraey-for, depend upon
it, thcre will be less aristocracy under the
form Of government, proposed, than now exists
in this goodly town Of Providence. Have we
anything that looks like aristocracy in the
elections Of officers under the Charter rropos-
cd If there is, cannot sec it they are elect
ed for ayear only. Twenty. four Council men
must be elected from the wards in which they
reside. and in all human probability the best
and most suitable freemon will be selected; !;
and the republican notion Of rotation in office
may better bo kept up (if need be) under this
form, than in the election Of Town Council,
which Council is Probate Court, and should
not be often changed, on account of the
knowledge Of law which they should possess.
and with which they are in duty bound to ac-
quaint themselves and your officers can be
dismissed, il not suitable, much easier than