The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1834-03-01
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

I,eeting March I.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
A Convention Of delegates from elsvsm
Of the towns ia this State assembled at
the State House in Providence, on the
22d inst tor the purpose Of devising means
to effect the adoption oil q Constitutions
Tor this State.
The Convention met at 10 o'clock, and
was called TO order by Lewis Richards.
WILLIAM ID. TERcY was chosen Chair.
man, pro tenn. and JosxPH A Scorr, Sec-
retary pro tea.
On motion of. X. Angel, a Commit
tee of one from each town was appointed
to report set Of officers to preside ia the
Convention. Agreeably to the report of
this Committee, NATHAN A. BRowN was
elected President Of the Convention, and
WM. II. SMITH and SAMUEL +. GARD.
NKR were elected Secretaries.
On motion Of Thomas Rivers, q CON.
miisAs Of Que fron each town was appoint.
ed, with instructions to report to the Goa
vention subjects proper to be acted upon.
In the aiteraoon, Thomas w. Oorr.
from that Committee, introduced set Of
resolutions by number Of pertlneut and
eloquent remarks. These resolutions
were taken up in detail, cad after recsiv.
ing free discussion, passed in the follow.
ing shape.
WHEREAS it is the undeniable right Of
the People, at all times, peacsably 10 as.
senble lor consultation and conference
touching the government under which
they live, and which they assist and have
an interest in supporting; and independ.
emily to utter and set forth, on such occa-
sions Of meeting together, their views,
sentiments end plans as 10 the correction
both Of defects in the Organization Of gov
ernment and Of faults in the administr ation
Of the same. We, who are now hero as
ssmbied IN Convention as representatives
OF portion ofthe people Of this Ststs do
declare their and our opinions and pur-
poses in the following resolutions:
ResoIred-l. That it is repugnsnt 20
the spirit Of the Declaration Of American
Independence, and derogatory to the
character Of Rhode Island republicans, to
acknowledge the Charter OF q BRlTIsu
KING as a constitutions Of civil govern
ment.
2. That the timo has fully arrived for .
vigorous and concentrated effort to ac-
complish the object Of political reform ia
this State. ......
3. That the public good imperatively
requires that tho powers Of the Legislature
and the rights ofthe citizen, which are
now no where clearly deiDed, should be
de6oed end fixed by written State Con.
sthutioa.
4. That the representation Of the towns
in the General Assembly, as originally
established by the provisions of the Char
ter Of king Charles II, had reference to
their then existing population, and was,
at that time not unfairly adjusted to it;
but that, by the great incrsase of popula-
ton in the towns, the existing apportion-
ment has become exceedingly unequal
and unjust in its operation, and that
more equal distribution OF representatives
among the towns will be an indispensable
article in Constitution for this State.
8: That, at the foundation Of this
State, and long after, property in land
was not only the principal property Of tho
citizens. but was SO easily a,tainable that
a landed qualification for voters excluded
only a small portion Of the people from
political power;-but that the circum.
stances OF the people have since greatly
changed, and that the existing qualifics-
ton has the effect CONTRARY 10 the de-.
sign Of those who fret established it) Of
excluding the majority, among whom are
a large portion oil those who pay taxes,
from all political privileges and participa.
ton IN the affairs Of government; and
that, although we entertain proper 70.
spect for Landholders, we are not ;psen.
sible to the merits of the Mechanics. the
Merchants, Working-men and others.
who own no land; and that we are of opiu.
ion, that the longer eontinusuce OF land.
ed qualification, as the exclusive condit.
ion OF exercising the elective franchise.
is great injustice, and 10 contrary to the
spirit and principles of a republican nov.
srnmsnt; and that Constellation Tor th;s,
State will be altogether sufficient. uu.
satisfactory, and impracticable, that doe,
not restore to the majority of the people.
the rights and privileges Of Ameris.s
Citizens.
s. That, in the opinion Of this Couysn.
ton, all white male citizens Of the Unit,
states over twenty one years Of age, (ex-
ceP'lng ?aupers and persons under guard
lanship) who have resided within this
State for period not less than one year
preceding their claim to vote, and within
the town where they shall offer to vote.
Tor the term Of not less than three months
preceding their claim to vote, should bo
entitled to the right Of suffrage upon. nav.