The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-01-23
n. /. Ie9taIatmre.
From the Providence Herald.
TUESDAY, Jan. Is, 1889 9-mornins.

by the mover, and, after an unsnccessi"'
motion, by Mr.. T. T. Hazard, to lay it on
the table some discussion followed.
Mr.. II. T. Hazard would vote to abolish
imprisonment for debt altogether; as soon
AZ a law should be passed TO cause the or
.iyinal writ 10 run against the property oi.
Is the debtor, instead Of the body.-Till then,
he was oppo.cd to an enlargement OF Jail
limits, which would enable people to hold
on to their property, while confined within
them.
Mr.. Randolph thought imprisonment was
not intended to operate as punishment, but
to keep the body safe. He thought poor
imprisonment debtors ought TO be allowed
such limits as would enable them to. provide
snn,ething for themselves and their families.
lie gave notice, that, at a day not far DIS
tant, he would introduce an act to abolish
imprisonment for debt, altogether
Mr.. Spencer was in favor of abolishlng
Imprisonment for debt, but would vote n
gninst The enlargement Of jail limits, IN or
der to confine imprisoned debtors to small
bounds, To bring about the object the soon
er.
The bill finally passed.
The Governor aud Senate came IN and
took seats, aud the House took up the
docket Of private petitions, according To The
vote Of yesterday, and proceeded on their
,rinl.
s;AFpERNooN. Several memorials were
presented from sundry persons, on the sub
ject Of Slavery and the slave trade, similar
to others previously presented.
On the subject of Chnriestown contested
ELECTION, Mr.. Crnnston,' hcharman Of the
Z, committee, ns9ed advice. : Respondents
wished to GO into investigation of votes me-
challenged. Mr.. Cranston though, ihr
course illegal, aud votes ought to h- e.ti-
Ieused at town meeting, or H, iras., "f
proper notice should be m ward Ha..1
Mr.. Potter move gaHt an iofe rfu"H
may be had 81 sny Fo,rs given ai l'.
Charleston. n teyo-r. ss,lag rci,Hro l..
~ Csaas,au ohlrcird ic ., ane '""...
- srecedtai ,rulid >. bod aar
81 Simmons slso oaireitJ .o ''' oi'''''
aa. hr1ad Pnuc'YIr, ae .a"si'- o."
'o Before dec sion could H.Ht H.
a} hia means. ls hrsf oa, .'[ H4
dsnl 'ne a- lgcstgr gra0D 0r o ."'
iacn fhr"''ais is,n .be "'' f.
~ ou t.g contest DE .- ..
SINE ior wu, ihe CO.. soon r.a ...r 8. .ds
.ua rlfeN cas-. s.r.5e members
.ou.5 aleue ir ae'. .eet. .Us whole
urrias
soao.,lae Be- .aa .aoi =, and said that,
rh ir. I'D DC mass ii matter in the hands
.rfhs conan, ..;rs, and it was voluminous,
bee d' rai .si,eve any member ofth com
ailur lad made up an opinlon that the
..ny members had perilcd their seats.
Mr.. Whipple thought that no new rule
should be adopted, to apply TO an old rule.
lie hoped therefore, that both parties should
he allow ed to go into n full investigation of
the subject, being confined within certnin
period Of time prescribed by the committee.
Mr.. Cranston rose, and continued his re-
marks rs 10 the Inconvenience %! The prac-
tice, and its inu,ility in the present instance.
Mr.. james was astonished that gentle
men would come into the House Ia high
est tribunal of equity in the State. aud ask
for IN expnrie trial lie then referred to
the GIocester contested election, ia which
case he said, the principle insisted on by |
e the respondents, was carried even farther
than they now insist upon.
>Aklr. Potter hoped the present case would
be fairly disposed of, and that future care,
If necessary, should be provided for by u
general law.
Mr.. Simmons then went into an expla-
nation Of The Gloccstcr case, and contend
ed That it was altogether different from
Tint before the committee at this time, and
= subject to different rule.
Mr.. Whipple followed, and, at his sug-
70 gestion,. Mr. Potter agreed so to amend his
motion, as that both parties may make oh
, factions to all thc,v",es they please, provided
they be made within twen,y-four hours
afterwards so modified, with the consent of
Mr.. Potter, so as to he limited, in ti,ue, To
this evening, during the sitting of the com
mntee.
MIR. Randolph had the impression that
no vote could he challenged in the House,
anless previously challenged in town-ueet-
ing; unless in such cases as that Of the
Gioccster contested election, which was out
IT all rule, and in these temperance times,
lac thought such another case would not
be likely TO occur. ....
Some farther discussion occurred among
the members, Of a pleasant and dcsultory
3; character.
Mr.. Crnnston hoped the motion would
not be acted on, ill the committee had ~.
gain been together, aud read over the ,esli-
mony taken. lie believed there had been
n",hing like n manifestation Of party fe~l-
ing, and was of opinion that, when they
should come To perusc aud compare the
testimony taken, the members Of the com
-mittee would he unanimous in opinion. It.,
after the testimony had been examined, the
seats Of the sitting members should he per-
lied, he would renew the suggestion. But,
'1 present, he hoped the precedent asked
for, would no, he set up. -.
Mr.. King made some Suggestions as To
ths course proper to be pursued. He sug.
gested a modification To the re.slutian, i,,-
structing the committee merely to hear the