Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-06-28
From the Providence Journal

The Legislature adjourned on Satur-
day to meet again at Newport, on the first
Monday in August A new election of
governor, lieutenant-governor, and sena-
aors, is ordered to take place the 18th Of
July. Thus it has happened that from
foolish but unavoidable causes, the free
men of this state have been compelled
within short period to hold three cleo
tions for general officers, and the Legis-
lature to hold three sessions at n great
expense to our farmers apd to the treas
ury Of the state. Every man who re-
CARDS the interest and the prosperity of
Rhode-Island, must seriously regret the
present state ofthings; every man who is
actuated by patriotic, rather than by par
ty feelings, must lament the unpleasant
situation in which the state is placed by
n minority strong enough to do mischief,
and thus far manilesting no disposition to
do good. How long the people, those
who are interested in the soil, in the in
dustry, and the prosperity Of the state,
will submit to the imposition that has thus
been imposed on them, is for the people,
the sovereign people to determine.
We do not mean to advocate the dis
franchising of any Of our fellow citizens,
or to dispute their right to vote for whom
they please at any election; yet cannot
but condemn the policy which induces n
party, composed of some very rcspecta-
lie men, to vote merely to defeat an cleo
ton, anG thereby subject the state toi
great inconvenience, trouble, and ex-
pensc.
The recent session of the Legislature
has not been an Improbable one, although
but little public business has been tran
sacted. 1t has been profitable from the
discussion that arose on questions that
our opponents have agitatcd for the pur-
pose of prejudicing the public mind a
gainst the executive and senate Of the
state. The constitutionality, or rather
the legality Of the law Of January, de-
nominated by way Of reproach the "pcr-
petuation act" has been fully consider
ed, and there was not man in the Leg
islaturc who pretended that that law
was not right and constitutional. Mr.
D'WoG of Bristol, admitted its constitu-l
tionality, but circumscribed within the
limits of a nut shell, the authority given
by it to tie Legislature. If we under.
stood him right, the Legislature under that
law was legally organized; the senate,
however, possessing no other power than
merely to SIT until other were chosen by
the people in their places. Notwithstand-
ing the clamor made by the Jackson par
ty out Of the House against that law, the
leaders of the party in the House admit
ted fully the constitutionality Of the law,
and the Hon. T.. II. Potter went so far
to claim for himself the whole credit Of
having introduced and advocated the
bill.
The acts Of the Legislature show the
sentiments of all parties on the constitu-
tionality of the Act. No doubts were
expressed or entertained excepting on
the subject Of the cxpcdiency OF appoint
ing the State officers, at the present ses-
sion. A majority of the House of Re-
prcscntativcs, was opposed to proceed
ing on the general election, and we be-
lieve that opinion was also entertained by
a majority of the Senate. All admitted
that when il was necessary to fill vocan-
cics, that had happened by death or !.
otherwise, or when from any other cause,
Il appeared indispensable that old officers
should be re appointed, the Houses
should Join for that purpose and proceed
on the election. This was dono on the |
last day Of thc Session.
There appeared also disposition o1
the part Of the Legislature, TO postpone