Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-06-26

many times, for what offences, the costs
of such convictions, and the expense Of
maintaining them in prison, and whether
they remained in jail the whole term for
which they were sentenced to be impris-
oned, and if not, how much of il?
Mr.. Harris, Of Snilhfeld, introduced
a bill providing for the erection Of a
State Prson-based on the votes Of The
freemcn at the last Spring Election on
that question, which occupied the atten-
ton OF the House until the time Of ad-
journment. Messrs. Hazard, Cranston,
and Potter, were in favor Of postponing
this business, believing that a majority
Of the people in the State, notwithstand-
ing the vote last Spring, were not suff-
ciently enlightened on that subject, 20
warrant the passage Of such an act by
the Legislature at this time. They be-
lieved that the people would not be will
ling to meetthe expense when they were
fully convinced what the erection and
support of such an establishment would
cost.
Messrs. Harris, Dorr, Weeden, and
Halle, were against postponing, believ-
ing that State Prison was very much
wanted, and that the opinions of the peo-
pie had been expressed too unequivocal-
ly to be disregarded by the Legislature.
The prisons in this State, said Mr.. Dorr,
were n disgrace to the State, and to hu-
man nature.
The question on the postponement be-
ing taken, the result was 81 to 27-the
members rising in their seats.
The Speaker, whose right it was to
decide the question, wished to be excus-
ed. A motion was then made to call the
House, but previous to taking tho ques-
ton
Mr.. Hazard moved that the first part
of the resolution which provides for the
erection and support Of State Prison
by levying tax, as soon as the neces-
sary arrangements could be made, be
from the other part, and post
poncd to the next session Of the General
Assembly. The House was then called
and the question taken-'postpone" or
"not"-34 voting to postpone, and %
not.
The other part Of the resolution which
provides that committee be appointed
to ascertain expense, receive proposals,
and obtain a plat Of State Prison, SC.
was agreed to. And then on motion Of
Mr.. Potter, the House adjourned till Q
o'clock tomorrow morning.
Wednesday morning g.-Immediately Of
er the House met, Mr. Field Of Grams
on, called up the bill to repeal the 4,h
section Of the Charter of the Broad-st.
Hotel, Providence, by which the Stock
IF the Corporation was made Real Es-
ate, and tho Stockholders authorised to
become voters thereon.
n motion was made to postpone the
urther consideration Of the bill until the
,ext session, with an order Of notice,
which motion was resisted upon the
ground that the privilege Of voting was
Wholly unconnected with the business or
property Of the Corporation, and being
natter of public concern, the Legsla.
ure had a right to act upon II without
'otice to the Company, especially as the
'ower to repeal or amend the charter
vas expressly reserved in the act itself.
After much debate, which consumed
early the whole morning, the postpone
nent was refused by a majority ofll
otes. The bill was then postponed till
iternoon.
On motion of L. II. Potter, the order
the day for this morning, (subject Of
Convention to form a Constitution)was
and made the order Of the day
'r tomorrow this morning.
The resolution OF Mr.. Harris respect
'g State Prison, was called up, and tue
blowing committee appointed TO fill ,he
lank, viz:-"Messrs. Stevens, Smith,
ross, Waterman, w. II. Staples, Jas.
'. Simmons, and such as the Hon. Sc
ate may add.
MIR. Cranston introduced a resolution
, give power to the Town Council Of