Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-05-14
and Mr.. Clark, Of New Shoreham, np-
Deared. was engaged, aud took his seat

Mr.. Illus prcSenteu lOH5 inefnOrlal from
James Fenner and others, against the count
ing the votes OF the third ward Of the city of
Providence, alleging that the election in that
ward was conducted illegally-lst, in voting
for General Officers before the election oil
Representatives was declared-2d, that the
clerk of the ward was not legally swon-and
Sd, that the clerk did not retain u list Of the
names Of those who voted.
Mr.. Simmons said that the objection made
TO the votes Of that ward, if held valid, would
reject the votes Of the whole city.
Mr.. Tillinghast noted the first objection,
and read the law showing that the voting for
Representatives and General Officers at the
same time in the city Of Providence, was
strictly legal.
Mr.. Hazard introduced a resolution which,
after being amended and debated for some
time, was adopted as follows:
Toted, That all memorials, petitions, and
other documents upon the subject Of the
election, with the evidence applicable to the
same, be referred to the committee to count
the votes; that said committee be empowered
to send for persons and papers, in such cases
as they may find necessary, and be directed
to report the facts ascertainod by them to the
General Assembly, as soon as may be, and
before counting the votes
then presented and handed to the committee,
and the Assembly adjourned to meet at II
o'clock on Thursday morning.
Thursday Morning-At II o'clock the As
sembly met and Mr.. Brayton said that heI
had been informed that the committee had
made but little progress in the examinations
of the memorials relating to fraudulent and
illegal votes, he therefore moved that Will
liam Sprague, Jr. should be added to the CON-
mttee.
Mr.. Hazard inquired for the reasons of the
motion, and Mr.. Matthewson wished also that
they might be given.
Several other members wished to know the
reasons of the gentleman, and Mr.. Bruyton
said that he understood that the committee
were equally divided on important questions,
and could come to no decision in those cases.
Mr.. Hazard said that they might as well
refer the whole business to Mr.. Sprague asl
sole committee, as add him to the one alrea-
dy appointed. He was opposed to any addi-
tions, or giving either party the advantage OF
the other. He then asked the gentlemen to
be careful how they acted. They were not
in grand committee, but in General Assem-
bly,, and no Senator had right to vote. HeI
had examined the charter and the law with
n view to the question, and was perfectly sat-
isfed he was correct. He cautioned gentle
men to be careful, or an end would be put to
the government. IF Senators can vote, they
may appoint themselves on the committee
and report on their own election, and defeat
the election Of the people. If gentlemen
were to be governed by outdoor excitement
he had nearly made up his mind to address
the Speaker and move the House to adjourn
to their own room and consult what should
be done. He should hope that the govern
ment would not terminate in the hands Of his
Excellency and the Senate. Out door infu- !
ences ought not to be listened to.
A desultory debate was continued for some
time, when a motion Of Mr.. Hazard that the
committee be requested to attend in the As
sembly and inform them what progress they
had made, and what difficulties existcd-wasI
adopted, and the committee came in.
Mr.. Ruggles, Chairman ofthe Committee,
stated that as far as it related TO matters of
fact the committee found no difficulty n]
agreeing; but on some questions regarding
the expediency Of sending for persons and
papers, they were equally divided. He doubt
ed not however, that in time they should be
able to report.
Other members related and explained what
the committee had done, in what they disa-
agreed, and what transactions had been be-
fore them.
Finally, Mr. Allen moved that the commit
tee be discharged from the further cons-
deration of all the memorials, petitions, &c. in
relation to illegal votes, and that the commit
tee forthwith proceed and count the votes as
they are returned and report to the Assembly
Before this motion decided, the Assem-
bly, adjourned to o'clock in the afternoon.
Thursday .9fle,noon.- Assembly met
ut 3 o'clock.
Mr.. Tillinghast rose and said, that if he
understood the situation of business, the mo-
ton Of Mr.. Allen to discharge the committee
from any further consideration of certain me-
MORALS relating TO illegal votes, was under
consideration. Mr.. Tillinghast said he was
opposed to that motion.
Mr.. Allen Immediately rose and said, fthe
motion was opposed, he would withdraw it,
which he did.
Mr.. Smith moved that one be added to the
committee, as it was now composed OF an
even number.
His Excellency, the Governor said, that
the motion Of Mr.. Brayton, of Foster, was
the first question in order, to add William
Sprague, IT,, to the committee.
Mr. Simmons stated that lie had asked for
the reading of the memorial from Johnston,
aud as it was connected with the subject un-
der consideration, nc hoped it would be read.
The memorial was then read by the clerk,
which was very general in its terms, allegingI
that if illegal votes had not been given, there
would have been in Johnston u majority a
gainst the Wings. Attached TO the memo
rial there was subsequent list Of 63 names
of persons, whom it charged with being ille-
gal voters.
The motion of Mr. Brsyton to add VIM.
Sprague, jr. to the committee, was debated
with great earnestness.
The Speaker went into the consideration