The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-11-04

referred 10 the committee on Conyicts petitions.
The Annual Report of the Inspectors Of the
States Prison. was read and laid on the table.
+ From this Report il appeared, that the yearly
expenses Of the Prison, for the last year, "a
mounted after ofsettng the earnings of the
prisoners, to the sum OF S3262 40.
The annual report Of the Warden of the
States Prison, was read, and referred TO the
committee on Finance.
A message came down from the Governor,
presenting TO the House a communication from
Walter Jones, Of the city Of Washington ac-
companied by a remonstrance from divers ciii-
gems of the District of Columbia, protesting a
gainst erciuSice legislation by Congress, for and
over the District. On motion. Of Mr. Simmons,
the said papers were referred to selsst Com
mtee of Messrs. Clarke of Providence, Atwell
and Simmons.
With. the same message, was presented 10
the House communication from divers other
citizens Of the district of Columbia, requesting
that the Legislature OF this State would adopt
such measures as may seem cxpedicnt 10 pro-
cure a retrocession Of the District of Columbia
to the States to which it formerly belonged /;
which on motion Of Mr.. Randolph. was receiv-
ed and referred to a select Committee Of Messrs.
Robbins, Randolph and Simmons, to report
thereon at tho next January session.
The act in amendment of the act relative TO
well, was read second time, and passed.
| Mr.. Clarke, Of Providence, presented, al the
request as he observed, OF Mr.. Il. Hazard, OF
| Newport n resolution relative TO the monument
at Newport, in memory of Commodore PER
RY,--whch upon explanations and statements
of Mr.. Clark, was read and unanimously adopt
ed by the House.
An Act to incorporate sundry persons there
in named into Company for the purpose of
erecting spacious and commodl0us Hotel IN
Newport, was read a first time, when Mr.. At
well proposed certain amendments for the
greater security 10 creditors.
Mr. Randolph opposed the amendments. He
said if they were adopted they would prove IA
tai TO the project. lie observed that as no profit
could be expected 10 be realized for investments
made in the property in the contemplated Ho.
I tel, no person would become a member Of the
company. if he was to be held personally liable
for its debts. He would assure the House,
however, that il was not The object of the com
pany 20 cheat any body. nor did the members
| Of il contemplate any individual benefit from the
erection of the Hotel lfcrected, such house
would be an advantage 10 the town Of Newport
generally, and great convenience 10 the whole
travelling portion OF the country.
! Mr.. Atwell. in reply TO Mr. Randolph, OBJ
served, that he felt it his duty, as well to guard
the Statute Book from dangerous precedens,
as the public from imposition and fraud. He
was rs friendly TO the erection of a convenient
! Hotel in Newport, as any man, hui he could ~
gree to grant no greater favors TO IA company
formed for this project, than 10 other persons.
| The same arguments, he said, might be urged
IN favor of erecting a spacious Hotel in Che
} pachet, by Joint stock company, as had been
urged in behalf of the Newport company. He
would favor neither of them to the extent, and
in tho manner proposed for the erection Of the
/ Hotel in question before the House. lie was
afraid il this act passed without the amendment
he had proposed, the company with capital
OF but O,000, might 60 on and contract debts
10 ten times that amount, aud then being not
personally responsible, they would deiraud all
their creditors. lie would conclude by saying
that he met this application as he had always met
all similar applications, sometimes perhaps too
pcrinaciousIy, but always in honesty and good
faith.
Mr.. Randolph would not deny but there was
force in Nr. Atwclls reasoning but il was not
pertinent TO the case before the House. lie
would repeat 10 the House that the individuals
who proposed to take shares in tho Company
contemplated no personal advantage, but had in
view exclusively tho public benefit He had
rather the petition be dismissed, than the Com !
pany should be incorporated with charter rem
dering the stockholders personally liable for
debts. The object of tho Company was not on
ly TO erect hotel, but to maintain it aud keep |
il open at all seasons of the year for public ac-
commodatiUn.
After some further debate, the question WAS |
taken the adoption of the amendments pro- |
posed by Mr.. Atwell, it was decided that they
should no, be adopted.
After transaction of some private business. !
the Houss adjourned until afternoon.
AFTERNOON.
A report from the General Treasurer was
presented, read aud received.
Upon the petitions of Sundry persons, pray
! ing for an act of incorporation as the New
England Screw Company, it was voted, that
the prayer of the petition be granted, and the
act was passed accordingly.
THURsDAy MoRNING.
4 petition from the New York, Boston &
Providence Transportation Co. for an amend.
nent of Charter, was read, and continued 10
the next session, with an order OF notice.
| An act in relation TO the X. ]. Turnpike
Company was passed.
The petition of ten conricts in the States
Jail at Providence, praying for liberation, were
granted.
On motion of Mr.. Whipple of Coventry il
was resolved, that his Excellency the Govern
or and the Honorable Senate be invited to join
the House in Grand COMMITTEE for the pur-
pose Of the election OF u. S. Senator.
HIS Excelency having taken the Chair aud
stated the business before the Grand Commit
tee, Samuel Y. Atwcll and James +. Simmons,
Esqrs were nominated as candidates.
Upon the first ballot James Fowler Simmons
was declared to he dsy elected he having fifty
five votes. Mr., Atwell twen,y-four, and the
Hon. Tristan Burgess two.
The vote OF the Grand Committee having
been declared, Mr.. Simmons addressed the
Convention in a very brief speech, expressing
his gratitude for the confidence rcposed in him.
On molicn of Mr.. Atwell. it was resolved
tha, the Grand Committee separate.
The petition of n. s. Rugg'es aud others.
praying for an act ot incorporation as a Hotel
CumDany. Nc. in be prccted i'm The fnvn nt