Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-11-25
Suffrage Convention.


Several sections of the constitution
were taken up on motion Ia amend, and
to strike out. The several propositions
were discussed, but all rejected.
AFTERNOON. The principal part Of
the time was occupied in discussion Of
the Representative question, and more
particularly that portion relative to the
city of Providence. A variety Of propo-
stions were submitted, hut no alteration
was made in the original mode.
A resolution was adopted, TO hear, in
the evening, whatever might be urged
by citizens Of this State, in favor Of
striking out the " ord white from the sec.
ton relative TO the election franchise
and the Convention adjourned to 7 l-2
o'clock p. NJ.
THURSDAY, Nov. 18. 8.-Several amend.
menis were offered to the .ssetion on the
judiciary department.
Among them, was an amendment in
favor of requiring three fllhs of one
branch and majority Of the other for
removing a judge, and on call Of the
house the vote stood 90 TO %. The
President voted in the neg ntive aud the
ame ndinent was lost % to %.
Nlr Sayles moved an amendment maxi
ing the term Of Office of The Judge six
years; the motion, was lost on call 38
toll.
The remainder Of the report was then
acted on.
The propositions not acted on at the
last meeting were adopted-as to the
jurisdiction Of the General Assembly
referring questions Of taxes over the or
dinary expenses of the city Of Provi-
dence to the qualified electors of the
city, and securing jury trial to persons
claimed to be held to service under the
laws Of any other State.
Sections were also adopted providing
that whenever a State tax shall be or
dered, one fifth thereof not exceeding
fifty cents, shall be assessed on the polls
of the electors unless such elector shall
perform military or lireman's duty. Also
that the first session of the Assembly
shall propose TO the people TO amend the
constitution by striking out the word
whiie.
The last proposition was adopted una
nimously.
MIR. w. B. Sayles said he was pleased
to SEQ that the Convention showed by
their votes that they were not opposed to
striking out the word mhiie, but that they
wished to know the opinion of the pee
pie. 1t had been charged on us that
the convention were opposed 10 it.
MIR. Arnold said he hoped the mcm-
bers would show that spirit by voting 10
amend the constitution in that respect
An article was added that in all cr-
mlnal cases the Jury shall be the judges
OF law and fact, and the man in court
of common law should be required to
crimna'e himself.
MIR. Dorr, for the committee then SUBJ
m!lted The following provisions, which
were adopted.
The constitution shall! be submitted TO
he people for their reception or rejec-
lion, on Monday the eth day Of De-
cember next, and on the two succeeding
days and all persons voting are reques-
ted to deposiie in the ballo, boxes printed
or written tickets in the following form.
81 am an American citizen of the age
of 81 years, and have my permanent
residence or home in this State. ! am
(or mott qualified to vote under the ex-
Istng laws OF this State. vote for (or
against the constitution framed by the
Peoples Convention, which asss mbled
at Providence on the fourth day Of Oc-
tobcr, aud on the 10th day Of Novem-
ber last, and which was proposed to the
people by said convention on the 18th
day Of November, 1871" Every voter
is requested TO write his name on the
face Of his ticket and every person en-
titled 10 vote as aforesaid, who. by sick
ness or other causes, may he unable TO
attend and vote 10 the town or wald
meetings to be called for voting upon
said constitution on the days aforesaid,
is requested to write his name upon his
ticket and to obtain the signature Of some
person who has given in his vote upon
the back of the same as a witness there
t". And the moderator or clerk of aCy
town or ward meetings, convened for the
purpose aforesaid shall receive such voto
on either Of the three days next succeed
ing the three DAYS before named for vot-
ing on said constitution.
The ciliZens of the several towns in
this State, and Of the several wards in
the city of Providence, are requested to
hold town and ward meetings on the
days appointed and for the purpose alore-
said and also 10 choose IN each town
or ward, a moderator and clerk TO con-
duct said meetings.
The moderator and clerk are required
TO receive and carefully to keep the votes
Of all persons qualified to vote as afore-
said, and to make registers of all the
persons voting, which together with The
printed tickets, shall be sealed up and
returned by said nodcrators and clerks,
with certificates sig ned and sealed to the
clerks of the Peoples convention TO be
by them safely deposited and kept and
laid before said convention, to be count
ed and declared at their next adjourned
meeting in January, 1912.
! The President, Vice President, aud
Secretary, shall sign and certify this
constitution, and cause the same to 10
published.