The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1841-01-27


the people Of the Coloniss :, = , ,
''"' representation aud taxation must 60 toge!h-
er' Here was the point at issue. Eo, h.
principles our ancestors (for there ar. h,,, o...
, oi Tie race leit on earh) fought, and bIed .,,a
conquered. 10 every Stale of this Uoio.
'eP''"g inns (which furnished its fol rropor;o,,
VI men and money their decendents are !, ,t
, ian enjoyment Of the fruits of tb. ,.;, ,
o'o"u' anu Tie Treasure their fathers spe,, e.
ou' IN this State we have never On.
joyeu 'he oo"n Tor which they contended 7
"''e known hundreds and possibly some are
sun I"ing. who served their country ,b,orob
Out me War Of The Revolution, and snen, Tho
''s'o"e oil their lives subject TO tox,t;o, ,,1
'hey aud their children liable to bs ..l,ol
" protect The lives and property OF frcehoIdcrs
""ie 'aey' without freehold. were deba,,ed
Tue ines'Imable privilege of ffreemen-,b. ..
e'se OF Inc right of suffrage in the cboi,s or
'"''f fu'efs-In the choice OF those who com.
"'""' 'helr purses and their persons.
very great majority Of the non.Creebolso,.
IN this St'ie are possessed of a create, ,a.,
u personal property than if invested in real &c.
'''e would entitle them to the right of sufr,,o.
ou' Is n"t convenient for them so 10 inves, !,
mere are many non-freeholdcrs, possessed i,
'"e" own isht OF sufficient personal prooerv n
o"y hundred freeholds. no do not ,hooso -
invest II. or any part of il. in la,5e5 o.,a,
' '""e VINO are in the possession of
'''""o'e real estates. for which they nav tho
''"es' aud receive the rents. and vet are M,
e"'''eu 10 'he night OF suffiage under the mag
eh' Iaw' and OF course their estates arc no, ,
resented. ! know one individual. who ws.
'ofnlerIy ireeholder and exercised tbe ,r;,;
'ege OF voting for thirty years. when he ,,o,,.
s"geu MS estate; a few years after, the mort
gage was sued and possession given, which de.
p'Neu MN OF the right Of suffrage: subseouep,-
y he has PAID off 85-l0O Of the morto,co and
owns o2-lO0 Of the estate. for which he r.ca;vos
he rent, amounting to more than tho ;o,o,,
d 'nfee thousand dollars per year. but in con-
consequence OF the fee Of the estate rcm,n;og
" .ne hands oI Ihe mortgages, he has not The
isht OF suffrage and The estate is unren,cse,,-
a. There is another estate which rents for
ne interest of near four thousand dollar,
nj
n'H"ed 10 their children. the husband cannot
o'e upon II. and that estate also is unrenrpsep.
ed. these Facts show the injustice of proo-
"y Pua'ihcaion, particularly in real estate to
i've 'he right OF suffrage. and il proves ipcop-
'suo'y The injustice and insuficiencv Of The
Tvs in that respect.
Let any one lake view Of these facts and
rononnce the opinion, if he can, that . the cx.
nsion OF Suffrage is not desirable in this
tate"
be'ore come TO close, permit me 10 ey.
nine ihe degraded political condition of the
'n-irecholders in this State and then inouire
The extension of suffrage is not desirable
The non on-ireehoders in This State are denied
e right OF suffrage
lhcy are denIed the right of a trial by
ry OF theH peers, none but freeholders being
lsibl. as arors.
; hC Save no voice in the election of mimi.
pal oin1ers, but they are obliged to pay the
Ses imposed upon them for municipal pur-
seS.
hey have no voice in the election Of Rep
'nta'lves 10 the General Assembly. but arc
"tc!led to pay all taxes imposed BY the Leg
atGre, and are subject 10 do dn,y in the mill
4, and TO equip themselves aud their sons, or
prent'ces over eighteen years Of age, for that
rpose.
hey have no voice in the election of Mem
rs OF Congress. or Electors OF President and
ce President of the United States. although
" are tree citizens Of the I Tnited S,,t,s anJ
all taxes and duties imposed by Congress
] are subject to be drafted from the militia
tins Stale in defence of the country.
They may be sued by any freeholder for
ney due, but they cannot prosecute free
der or any other person for debl Justly due
N, without first obtaining the signature OLA
'ho'der on the back of their writ
They may be natural born citizens OF tho
te. and be worth enough in personal estate
Duy thousand heeholds, but without one
not exercise the right of suffrage but
zen of any State, or naturalised foreigner.
y move into this State, buy freehold OF
ii, be propounded three mouthst and use
right of suffrage.
let the freemen Of this State consider these
IS and then reply conscenciously TO the
s,ion " Is the extension Of suffrage desirable
his State" FREEMAN.
The sum received by the United States Dis