Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-01-30
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
(From the Providence Journal and Herald.

House OF Represenfnhrcs-W Wednesdny
Morning, January 22d, 1884 The peti-
tion of Charles Annis, to be discharged
from imprisonment, under sentence for
violation Of the license law, was dis
missed.
The petition Of Lewis Dexter, and 9TH
ers, for Bank, was granted, and an act
Of Incorporation, by the name Of the
"President, Directors and company Of the
Providence County Bank" was passed
MIR. Halle, from the committee of the
militia, TO whom was referred certain re-
solutions from other States, reported n
resolution requesting the Representa-
tives, and instructing our Senators, in
Congress, to procure an amelioration in
the present militia system of the United
States, which would render it less bur
thcnsome to our citizens, which was a
dopted.
MIR. Kimbnll, Of Johnston, introduced
a bill in anne ndment of the license law,
authorising the several town-c ouncils, in
this State, to prohibit the snles of ardent
spirits and strong liquor on Sundays,read
first time and laid on the table.
On motion of Mr.. Pratt, His Excel
lency, the Governor. and the Hon. Sc
nate, were requested and joined the
House, aud proceeded to the trial of the
Memorial Of Elisha Mathewson and
others, against the Masonic Corpora
tions.
Mr.. Atwcll, said the Grand Lodge Of
Rhode-IsIand had requested him, on their
behalf, to appear in support of a remon-
STRANGE made by them, for themselves
and the subordinate lodges. That he
had been heard in support of the same,
and having been overruIed, agreeable to
instructions he had Withdrawn their fur
ther appearance. He now appeared,
with Mr.. WhiPple, in behalf Of certain
Lodges in this city.
there was no objection, and proceeded
and read the memorial
Mr.. Whita,er, Of. Providence, asked
for the reading Of the names of the me-
morialists. The clerk proceeded to read
them, when, after the reading Of a por-
ton of them, Mr.. D'Wolf moved that the
further reading be dispensed with as II
was n useless waste OF time,
Mr. Whitaker, said he wished they
might be read to ascertain who OF them
were n;enbers of the Assembly.
Mr.. D'Wolf said the mcmorialists, who
belonged to the Assembly, could SO state.
Mr.. Cranston, said there was another
reason why they should be read-some
OF them may have forgotten that they had
signed the memorial. =
Mr.. C. Allen, said their names might
be stricken from the memorial.
Mr. Whitaker, said he did not expect
that either masons, or the memorialists,
would vote on the question in the House.
Mr.. D'Wolf did not insist, until ailel
reading a short time, he renewed his mo-
ton, which, after few observations by
Messrs. Titus, Whitaker, Tillinghast
and Cranston, was adopted, and the fur.
ther reading was dispensed with.
Mr.. Turner then proceeded to make
some preliminary observations, and sait
perhaps an apology was due for his ap
pearing alone to advocate and adduct
before the Assembly, the evidence IL
support Of the memorial. Ii was not 81
intended, but circumstances rendered
necessary. He said, although It hat
been surmised, yet it was not their in
tention in tail ing away the Masonic Char
ters, 10 affect their property. Ample
time would be allowed them to sell ant
dispose Of their property before the,
would be required to surrender thei
charters.
1t was true, as had been stated, th'
charges and allegations contained in th'
memorial were weighty and grave, ant
he should treat the subject, as they ha'
always been considered, seriously. III
should lay aside all those particulars il
the memorial, which were stated as mer'
inducement, and con6ne himself exclu
sively to those distinct charges and al
Legations, so forcibly expressed therein
1st. He should prove that their exist
eo in this State, a numerous and well or
ganized body, calling themselves Free
masons, deriving certain secret power
oc underlined extent, and connected wit
other similar bodies both in Europe an
America. The extent and numbers q
the several Lodges, no one, not even tn
Assembly, were aware Of; and it will re
.quire no small time to examine the evi
dence which will be adduced in supper
OF the various aIieg ations.