The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-04-24

man whose name, talents, various occupa-
irons and CHARACTER, have long been mo-
forious IN this state, presided ia moLer-
aior Of our town meeting ON "Wednesday
the 18th inst. when three severa! uues-
,ions relating to frecmanstip were agi-
tated, gravrly considered. and adjudcn-
ted. and now form new and important
portion Of the unwritien law uf Rhode
Island.
Mr.. Charles P,iman,a a nntiye of New
pot, " ho owned II sufficient real estate
in this town. and was proponnded more
Than three months before, was presented
for admission MS freeman. II was first
objected that his settlement was in Troy
Mass. )and that his admission would
transfer his place of settlement from
Troy to Newport. This fallacious reason-
ing was soon given over, and nnoihcr
poin. ofo!jeclion raised, viz. ,ha, he had
sold his estate. The Town Clerk on
being questioned. stated thar no such
deed had appeared in hiss Office. The
moderator then volunteered his evidsnce
Ia this effect, tha. said Pi,man hid cnns
fracted TO sell bis sixth part Of two seve-
raj lots of land, with dwelling on each;
tha, The deed, or deeds, were in his Of
flee; and one Of them had beep signed
by said Piiman, but NOT by aIl the other
joint owners, aud the other bad not been
signed by him at that time, bun the whole
remained in his Office to be completed
by the parties. The moderator was
then called upon TO decide the question.
this he declined, and made labored
speech against the admission of said
Pitman. He then put the question to the
freemen who decided in the negative.
The next question was on the vote of
Joseph Case eldest son Of Elisha Case.
both Of whom had resided sufficient
time in Newport. The father produced
m indisputable certificate Of freeman
ship from the town clerk of Warwick,
on which he voted for general officers,
but the sons privilege to vote was re.
jected.
The next question was in motion to
admit William L. Hammet, eldest son
of Edward Iihmmet, and David Mel
Vile eldest son Of Andrew Melville, both
the fathers being freeholders md free
men Of Newport. 1t was objected thn,
those two eldest sons were now absent
at Providence. and that they must rees-
tablisb their residence in Nswprrr. be-
fore they could be admitted ire. The
moderator then gave his opinion against
their admission, aud then put the ques-
tion Ia vote, which was decided IN the
UegdtIVc. IicTc u HOtion WuS uiauc
that this important decision should be
recorded, which was allowed to he done.
The question Of propounding and ad-
mitting freemen has heretofore, for many
years at least, in this town, been decided
by the moderator as Judicial question.
In the above cases the responsibility was
thrown on the freemen: the moderator
acting the part Of witness, advocate and
chairman.
The motions to admit Charles Pitman,
VIM. S. Hammet, and David Melville,
were made by the friends Of she Repub.
lican prox, and the motion to admit Jo-
seph Case, was made by .he friends OF
the an,i-mnsonic prox. The Moderator
is n prominent member Of the National
Republican party is now Free Mason
and has been n member Of ST John's and
St. Paul's Lodge, ut one and the same
time. REPORTER.
GALL THE DECENCY &C."