The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-06-19
five and three Of them agreed TO The bill.

>
Itinacity himself lie was willing in this eu,er-
. cency to do almost any thing to keep the gov
eminent alive. The people had refused to e.
=, Ilect more than seven Senators, aud he thought
majority Of those elected should act.
Mr.. Randolph said that in justice to Mr..
Potter. he must say that the bill in substance
was the same as the one introduced by him.
f only more clearly expressed. Many members
had requested him, after that bill was laid on
the table, to introduce such bill. He should
prefer new election. II was introduced in a
good spirit, and he hoped there would be no
+ hard feeling on the part Of his friend.
Mr.. b. Hazard said this was not a subject
for improper feelings if he had shown feel
T ing; il was only on account Of his regard for
our ancient institutions seven is a majority
of a constitutional senate here are seventy
two members; if tbiny-seven are present it is
Quorum, and eighteen is a majority Of quo
rum, but is eighteen house the gentleman
was young member, but he was making tre
mendous strides but be was sorry for his
friend; he was sorry that he should say that
four was a senate.
The people voted for ten senators and every
man wished to choose ten senators; are we to
say because they were frustrated in that, that
they did not intend to choose a senate; if any
bill passed he hoped it would be the one report
ed and not this which does away with all prin-
ciple.
Mr.. J. III. Clarke said he differed with his
friend in regard TO electing senators to fill the
vacancy, but he was satisfied that this was not
the best bill that could be passed there was
great anxiety that some bill be passed, to pro-
vide against vacancy; the bill was introduc-
ed by the gentleman with the best motive he
wished the former bill passed.
| Mr.. Whipple said that filling the vacancies
by grand committee, was assuming a part OF
the law making power; that was the provision
Of the people had never delegated that power
to us in any shape; each individual Of the SEN
ate was part of the law making power, for
US to supply part of the law making power,
the charter did not sanction il the laws do not
sanction it and the people have never sane
toned it; there was no necessity for our do
ing it; the people are here and the people can
do it can we not pass a law. that the people
shall fill the vacancies at the August town
meeting: he had heard nothing to convince
him that the people were unwilling to do this
are we here TO assume power on the last night
of the session lis it because we should not
succeed az the next election he had rather
that the other party should always succeed
the judges Of the courts might as well fill va
cancy in the bench; when there came dire
and dark necessity, he was ready TO meet 1t;
he should give his vote when the time come.
to refer this to the people though he stood a.
lone; and against any law that should not re-
fer this to the people.
Mr.. Spencer said he was unacquanted with
with law but he knew something Of ancient
usages and from the usages he cited he was in
favor Of the bill.
Mr.. King was in favor Of new election in
case Of vacancy; any other course would
violate the principles Of the charter; he hoped
that would be- the course adopted.
Mr. Randolph approved Of that course, and
moved the reference to a committee to bring in
such bill. Messrs. Hazard, Whipple and
King, were appointed that committee.
Mr.. Clarke called up the bill relating to poor
prisoners.
Mr.. Nichols offered an amendment that the
writ should run against property.
Mr.. Blake said he had prepared several a
mendments TO the bill, and the amendments
were read it provided that the writ should
run against property.
| Mr.. T.. X. Potter also offered an amendment
to prevent prisoners. whose petition, have been
refused from being liberated, in the same suit,
The House concurred in a vote of the Senate.
continuing certain military officers.
| The bill in relation to poor debtors, passed.
The bill to incorporate the Pocanoket Steam
Mill Company, passed.
! The committee reported bill to provide for
:he election of Senator, by plurality Of the
pee pie, in case of vacancy. A
Mr.. Blake spoke against the bill-that the
people did not wish to act, and would not one
fourth of them vote.
Mr.. r.. II. Hazard said it had been said that
one of the committee wished TO do nothing
he was that member; but he was in favor Of
this bill, and he was sorry that any membes Of
the republican party, should oppose this bill
it was republican bill.
Mr.. Spencer said there would not be five
men in his town, or in any town. that would
wish the election sent to the people.
MIR. f.. II. Potter wished. that in case of a,
election. they should fill all vacancies.
Mr. Clarke thought it expcdent to postpone
the subject-in case of vacancy we could meet
that emergency, and fill the vacancy.
Mr. King thought il necessary TO provide for
continuing the government in an emergency.
Mr.. B. Hazard thought it best TO postpone.
Mr.. Whipple thought it better to pass the
BILL and not wait for ain emergency, and ther
we must act without any right TO act-when we
had no more power than one individual. 4
Mr.. Spencer, in order to test the question,
moved to lay the bill on the table.
Mr.. Blake said there would be the same
( stretch Of power in counting the votes without
an assembly, as to order an election or make
one without an assembly and the House reius.
ed to lay the bill on the table.
Mr.. +. r. Potter moved TO amend the bill
| so as to fill all vacancies.
Mr.. Blake thought that would be an infringe
ment on the vested rights Of the first Senator.
Amendment lost.
Mr.. Rhodes moved to postpone the subject.
Mr.. Spencer moved to adjourn to . o'clock
Monday lost-the ayes and noes were ordered
by one fifth of the House and the House refus-
ed to postpone, 81 TO %.
| On the question OF the passage of the bill,
the ayes and nays were called and the bill pass
ed 80 to %.
The petition Of Robert Maskili. for liberation,