The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1841-02-17


Mr.. Gavit moved 10 postpone the whole sub
jeei indefinitely.
Mr.. Atwell hoped the motion would not pre-
vail-this was n case where a large body Of the
people are asking for their equal political right.
with the rest Of the Stae-we ought 10 gram
or deny the request.
Mr. Robbins asked where any practical evil
had arisen or coald arise from our representa-
iives as at present consiituted-none could arise
while the whole people are represented in the
State and have one branch. The government
might be more perfect in the theory but no bet
Ter in practice.
Mr.. King asked if we should be in any better
condition 10 act on this subject at any other
session than at present--he was opposed TO the
pos'poncment.
Mr.. Atwell asked If should 90 home and
and tell our constituents there was no practical
evil only theoretical, aud we will not grant
these memorialiss equal representations
England did not say there no practical diff.
Gully when they dlsfranchsed the rotten bor-
oughs. The practical evil is this very inequali-
ty-nothwitIstanding the English constitution
they DISTINGUISHED these rotten oughs-each
holer under royal charter like ours. and il WAS
treated as we treat ours--when any change is
required 1t is set at naught in obedience 10 the
will OF the people.
Mr.. Robbins was in favor Of constitution
hnt the example of England could not be cited
There all the privileges OF The people are held
by grant OF the King and every !hing must
come from that source. Here every thing
comes from the sovereign power Of the people.
Mr.. Simmons thought The gentleman from
Newport right IN theory, but The people do not
care for that No one can say the request Of
the memorial ought not 10 be granted. The
suhiec, now before US and let us act on it,
Mr. J. u. Barber said The representation in (
This state should be eqnalized. The towns he
thought ought TO instruct their representatives
At the April meetings how TO act on this sub.
Jcct.
And the House refused to postpone.
Mr.. Atwell said we could draw useful les. /
sons from the legislature of all nations II we
wish 10 produce the same reform here rs was /
produced in England 1t IL well TO see how the !
revolution was. brought about. The voters in /
the rotten borroughs would not instruct their
representatives. TO disfranchise them Old Sa. .
rum with seven inhabitants and with two mem
brrs dad not niruct their Representatives TO G.
qAalle the representation, and the city Of Man. h
chester with all her population could not in
slruct for she had no members at all. But the
people "a il were in body came TO the door Of
The Parliament House AMI demanded their
rights, aud The Representatives dare not refuse
Their just demanis-the government Of Eng. .
land could not have stood
lfthe towns 10 this state should insfruct their a
representatives, the towns over Represented
would vote against the equalization. The {
Towns that are under represented wonld of I
course instruct their representatives in favor of n
H. But those towns over represented would c
IN The House. have more than their Just nnu- =
enc". and this very inequality of representation il
would act against ITS own reform. and The mem y
bers of the house would not be so likoy to Weld b
"a nio of 4, a
collectively should instruct the House. lie n
wished the people TO instruct the House by "
their proxies, given by the whole people. in. is
sructing the whole house, In England, if II
The reform had not been granted, when the peo- d
pie came with their five miles Of petition, the d
people ere this would have swep, away Kings,
Lords and Commons, and have resumed the Il
i'ower so unfairly exercised. Let us learn wis. n,
dom rom the example Of England. Let us a
see what the people say when they come here 81
with then names on their proxies, aud we can s.,
see whether il is safe TO hold on TO these char m
ter privileges much longer. m
hlr Robbins said the people of England had an
no power TO call a convention. They draw all o.
power from The king. Here all power is in the Sit
leopIe and they are sovereign. There was no pa
practical evil shown in our present form. and est
We should act until il was shown. nj,
Mr. Alwell asked how the people of this state am
ouII can u convention. Isl
Mr.. Robbins said by nstructing our repre- it
cntatvrs. IIe,
Mr. \. asked what if we refuse rep
Mr.. Robbins replied then we shall no, do our oaa
ATTY. st,,
Mr.. AtweI said. if the rotten borrouchs re. con
sed TO call a Convention, there was no means era
calling Convention in this State. any more sen
AN IN England. The people BY this charter SEN
I'VE not got the power, but the power under VIII,
e c'latter IS in the House, and the people lies
ave no redress if we refuse to do the viii of cur
e majority more Than the people of Eng. is r,
nd.
Mr. Simmons said the people Of this State. SIT,
iIer'fani their rights well enough: il there ton
any evil. they will come for redress. Here "
but one town, and why should we ,ry 10 drum ces
=, "' ,te'Hs OF dissatisfaction. pow
lie did not wish the people to be committed max
advance oil the Constitution. Ii one i, form. sane
they viii refuse it il they don't like il. But men
don't want the example of England held up rhci
hs, with these threats. The very towns al. less
led !" as rotten bououghs, are always liberal or b
u Wiling 10 do justice IN this matter and he mus
oke 1t to their honoi and he did not wish lie
em to be held up in this manner. in,e
he people of this State. are very well salts peti
d with the present order of things; but are see
ho' as wen qualified To act now, rs after in char
"N"'"s ""u he olu not like 10 change the us by
y , "lo'e oi expressing the opinion otthe people can
hatever IS acquicsed in by the people, by long n
"oice' becomes our constitution. and he ferr,
ereiore wished To get their opinion in The old subj
". Our precedents Of what the Assembly Il
j. while under the power of England. canno, liam
ply now. because power then was in the King. are
d no, in the people. The principal objection nan,
opie have TO Constitution, is these disorga. ever
zing docrines that strike at the foundation of Nc.
'r institutions They fear to begin to change ,her
i," sueh ooctthesafe aoroad. u we attempt Gov
w W 'nu.h IN the constitution. we shall not scve
r.e.u @ ~ uo'nS any 'hins' Let us make the cho