Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-06-05
TOWN.MEETING.

II TOWN.M II ETING.
The lreemen assembled in this tow
on Tuesday morning last, for the choice
of town officers, &c. The warrant hav
ing been read by the clerk, on motion
Henry Y. CraIstOn, Esq was choser
/ Moderator. The election Of Town off
GERS then commenced, but before pro
ceeding any further than the election o.
Town clerk,
/ Majo Bull stated that he wished tc
introduce some resolutions he held in hi.
hand, that they might be acted upon and
passed previous to tho election Of mem.
bers Of the Town Council. He then
by permission, read the resolutions, as
annexed
Voied and Resolred, That, in the opin-
ion of this meeting, tho Town Council,
by prohibiting in their licenses to retail
ers, the sale Of wines and strong liquors
on Sundays, and thereby drawing with
in their own jurisdiction the punishment
for what they may deem an infraction of
moral law, without the Intervention of
Court or Jury, was an act wholly gratu-
itous and uncalled for. The standard of
morals in this town, has been erected
and upheld, without the aid of legal re-
straint, and in our opinion stands higher
than it would have done by any civil re-
gulation.
Voied, That in our opinion, the State
law which enacts "that no person in this
State shall do or exercise any labor or
business, or work at his ordinary calling,
or use any game or sport, play or recre-
alton, on the first day Of the week, on a
penalty Of one dollar for the first, and
two dollars for the second offence" is
sufficiently severe upon the people Of
this State, without the further aid of the
Town Councils And we see no re ason
why one class Of our fellow citizens
should be liable to two penalties for the
same offence, while all the rest arc only
liable to one.
Therefore Resolred, That no person
ought to allow himself to be a candidate
for member Of the Town Council, at this
meeting, who feels himself, in conscience
or in duty, bound to enact, or enforce
the prohibition above complained of,
without giving notice Of such, his inten-
tions, before he is voted for to said Of
fee.
A very warm and animated debate
here ensued-the resolutions being sup
ported solely by Maj. Bull, and opposed
by Richard X. Randolph, George Engs,
VIM. S. Nichols, Geo. Tillcy, Richard
Shaw, and several other gentlemen.-
The question in reference to the passage
OF the resolutions, Maj. Bull was anx-
Ious should be taken previous to the
choice of members OF the Town Coun-
cil.-Ihe freemen were very willing 20
indulge Maj. b. in that particular, and /
On the votes being taken, the result
stood as three 10 one against their adop-
ion. Il
The crowded state Of our columns,
will not permit us to publish the debate
At length, as from our minutes, they
would occupy more space than we could
1t present conveniently appropriate to
hat subject.
The remarks of Maj. Bull, however,
n support of the resolutions, did not ex-
lite any wonder or astonishment in the
minds of those who are acquainted with
lim-they were in accordance with o.
Unions heretofore expressed by him,
md although he disclaimed any inten-
ion of refeciing unjustly upon the Town
council, still bis object was too apparent
o be misunderstood.
The remarks Of Mr.. Randolph were !
stened to with great attention. lie be-
eved that the example set in other pla-
es in regard TO selling spirituous liquors
n the Sabbath was a proper one, and a
'ould have very salutary effcct.-He "