Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-05-09

4
now, when il can be done wit out ex-
ceeding, by n single line, the precedents
that have been made by our predecessors.
MIR. Simmons said he thought it best
to pass law, empowering the Grand
Committee to elect in case Of vacancy,
by death or otherwise; he thought there
was no precedent that met this case.-
lie thought that, let what would happen,
this government would continue So long
as Rhode Island people lived in the
State. II was better to take this course
than to make new election.
MIR. Hazard thought this too serious
a matter to be opposed for fanciiul OBJ
jections the proceedings Of past ns-
sembIies were full Of precedents for the
exercise of this power. But have we
power to make law like that proposed, i,
empowering half Senate to do the
business of a whole Senator But ought
we to resort 10 primary assemblies OF the
people, as the gentleman from Johnston
proposed ? The people would make a
government but there is now gov
eminent, and the people expect US TO
continue this government in its present
form but he hoped we should never
empower "A minority of the Senate to Join
IN Grand Committee when there was no
Senate, and they could make no laws.
lie presumed the gentleman would not
deny that we had the power to fill these
vacancies. He was too strong ly impress
scd with the propriety Of this course, to
enter into any sparring or debate on this
subject, whatever other gentlemen might
do he thought this was far behind the
assumptions in MIR. Poitcr's law c0ntinu-
ing the Senate in power.
Mr.. Simmons thought the act Of 1884
deprived one branch of the General AS
sembly of their constitutional powers ;
but if the General Assembly had power
to continue a Senate in power after their
term had expired they could empower q
minority of the Senate TO act. lie
thought the people would tolerate an act
Of the General Assembly when it was
required by an urgent necessity, which
they would not when that necessity did
not exist. There was never more
proper law than that of 1881 ; but it was
opposed because il was not required by
the necessities Of the people yet the
same people who opposed it, afterwards
passed similar law, when it was re-
quired. There would be no difficulty,
if law was passed in the usual manner,
and the votes of the freemen were no,
opposed.
Mr. r. r. Potter said, in the time Of
The Revolution n law was passed, maxi
ing three or four o. the Senate quorum;
he did not see why such law could not
be passed now.
Mr.. II. 4. Hazard said he was op-
posed to taking the power out Of the
hands Of the people ; we might as well
choose Governor and Lieutenant Co
vernon ourselves.
MIR. Randolph said the subject was
new, and he was not ready to act on it !;
he wished the subject referred 10 q
Committee TO report Tomorrow morning
MIR. Spencer, was in favor Of the law,
proposed by Mr. Simmons.
lie thought there ought to be some
law to continue the power Of this House.
MIR. Clark said this subject had caused
him much concern we ought TO pro-
cced with extreme caution, in the exer-
else of doubtful power he was him
self extremely doubtful Of the power of
the House TO enlarge the number Of
Senators beyond those elected by the
people. The contingency Of vacancy
ought to be provided against-but il
should be with great dcliberation-what
committee could it be referred to ? he
was not prepared 10 act, and was in favor
Of delay, as there was no immediate
danger of vacancy. lie submitted
whether the House should not separate,
and each House consider it by itself.
MIR. Randolph said if we could debate
this subject, why could we not refer il
A Committee could deliberate on this
subject and report whether the Grand
Committee should report and pass law.
MIR. Hazard had no doubt Of the power
Of the Grand Committee to refer the
subject to Committee. We should not
have invited the Senate to be present to
hear debate. We heard propositions
made to abridge the powers of the SEN
ate, because four Senators were empow-
cred TO act when the country was in the
hands of the enemy. The people have
been cheated out OF three Senators, and
we ought TO elect whom we think the
people would clect-but as he saw moth
ing could he done, he moved that the
Grand Committee rise and the Com
mi,tee rose.
The remonstrauce Of James Eamcs
was received.
The Rule on the reception Of petitions
was suspended till 8 O'Clock Tomorrow.
The House then appointed the follow
ing Standing Committees, for May Ses-
sion, 1889.
Finance Messrs Randolph, Simmons,
Babcock, Slocum, and Luther.
Judiciary-Messrs. b. Hazard, OF
Newport, Jackson, Potter, Holden, and
Bowen, Of Darlington.
Corporaiions--Nessrs. Bowen, Of
Newport, Aldrich, Barker, Rhodes, and
Il Blake.
Educaiion-Mcssrs King, Randall, j.
p. Hazard, Of S. X. Low, and Drown.
II Militia IN cssrs. Church, S. Mowry,
Greene, Holden, Luther.
l accounts -NIessrs. Watson, Stead,