Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-01-26
PRocEEDiNos OF THE LEGISLATURE.
/ Concluded.


lie went into statement of some of the
depositions and the facilities which were
afforded by the committee in procuring
the attendance of witnesses, and pro-
pounding questions to them. lie said "a
number Of witnesses were called to prove
murder on our tellow-citiZens. The
members Of the committee of the anti
masonic state convention attended and
propounded such questions as were with
in thc'rules laid down by the committee.
Before any deposition was closed, the
committee made public enquiry whether
there was any one present that wished to
PROFOUND any other question. Not until
it was found that the anti-masons had en-
tirely failed in establishing their charges
against masons did any misunderstand-
ing arise among the committee. Seri-
Gus attempts were then made to persuade
the public that the committee were par
tial and unfair; but there was no truth in
it. He was therefore fully persuaded
that the house would never order the
publication of this report of one Of the
committee, which he denomlnatcd false
in many particulars.
Mr.. Halle observed that he should not
trcspass upon the patience of the house
but few moments. 1t could not but be
expected that the Committee would be
abused by the common slang of the day,
when every species of abuse had been
hcaped upon some ofthc most worthy and
respectable men in the state. All he wish
ed was that the public should read the re-
port of the Committee and the testimony
by them taken. lie was willing to stand
or fall by the judgment of public opinion.
He had no other wish upon the subject
than that the people should hear and read
the testimony. lie confirmed in every
particular the statements otthe othermem-
bers of the Committees, and said he had
no doubt but that upon examining and
weighing impartially the conduct of the
Committee and their report, they would
be completely satisfied ofthe impartallty
of the Committee.
Mr.. William Sprague Jr. said he did
not agree to any part of the report CT the
| Committee. His views were contained
in his own report.
Mr.. Potter said he did not know the
course pursued in such cases in Congress.
There were there sometimes counter-re-
ports, but whether the practice was to,
print both he could not say. lie how
ever believed they printed both, and he
thought that this had better take the same
course as the other.
Mr.. Allen said that he considered it Il
report Of Committee of this house and as
such entitled to its respect.
Mr.. William Sprague Jr said he be-
lieved that there was nothing in his re-
port but what he could establish, and he
was prepared to prove it before the house.
Mr.. Simmons asked him to prove the
bargain alleged to have been made byI
the Committee with the masons.
Mr.. Hazard said nc wished to know if
the committee did not direct him to make
known, the rule which they had adopted,
to the masons. He knew them to be in
u delicate situation. They were to be
called upon to disclose to the public what
many had supposed to be masonic Sc
crets. lie informed the committee, when
Mr. Sprague was present, that he had
commune atcd to William Wilkinson, the
rule which they had agreed to adopt in
taking the dispositions ofthe masonic wit
nesses. MIR. Sprague then said that he
thought it would make them kick little.
When the Committee first were inform
cd by MIR. Sprague that he had not a.
greed with the committee in establishing
the rule, and had left the committee, and
people were endeavouring to put an end
to the harmony of the committee, they
reasoned with him, and told him if he
would not agree with them, they would
agree with him. He then came back,
and went OH with the committee. Mr..
Potter said there was a misunderstand-
ing with the committee. 1t can only be
settled by themselves. The masons were
under no obligation to answer questions
asked out of mere idle curiosity about
their ceremonies. Were he mason he
never would have answered any such
question. Still however he thought that
this report might be published with the
other.
Mr.. Hazard said Mr.. Potter was treat
ing the Committee wrong, with impro-
priety, which ought not to be done to any
committee in whom the house had any
confidence.
Mr.. Potter said it could not be suppos-
ed that he had any prejudces in favor of
antl-masonry-it was unnatural for him
TO have any understanding with Ben. Hal
lett. lie was opposed to the separate