Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-05-13

people must change II. He did not ex-
peci to change tho minds Of the House
hut he wished To excite their attention.
lie had lived here long enough to get
The true Rhode Island feeling and love
Tor her nsilutions.
/ Mr.. Ames said the gentleman had fall
len in error in suppoying the resolution
affected more than the number Of dele
gates to this convention.
In other States where they have n con-
sttulion, they have modes in which tho
people or the towns can approach the
ogislature for these changes, but here it
mus, originate with us, and he thought
This the most proper mode TO put The mat
ter to the people-particularly when
these petitions have been so long bolpru
us, and ;hcre have been no memorials
against it, Ii had properly been thought
too high a power for the Assembly 10
make and unmake representatives ur
towns, and as the evil existed il was
thought the mildest, and most proper
course, to put it to the people in the modo
Session. AS to The number of tho dele
gates, that was in no wise affected by
the charter or regulated by law-no
usage or law affected this. The first
thing in calling this convention, TO reme-
dy evils, is to call il in such manner
as will best remedy the cvil-we ure
about to appeal to the legal peoplo-the
irecmen OF the State, aud should il not
be made fairly, that the appeal should
be answered by tho whale Of The FREQ
men aud not by palt? 1t has been
said wc have framed Constitutions which
were not Palatable to the people and he
thought the principal reason was that tho
people were not represened1arly.
lie wished to have the subject con-
sidered fairly, that matters might not
arise, which the gentleman would much
more dsike-there was feeling in tho
north par o! the State, to assume much
larger portion Of representation than
they now have by these resolutions, but
the resolutions do not contemplate giving
them so much power. 1t would bv a
great expense and labor to ascertain the
number Of freemen in the towns, and
the best approximation would DO tho
p"ph'o''ph VIC iuSt SeusuS.
The resolutions provide for payment
Of the Deicgates-he thought that the
best course TO get tho best delegates,
as some worthy men might otherwise be
kept Out-a convention without pay
would be the most aristocraiic that could
DC formed
MIR. Jackson stated the proposed ap-
A I.ln IL
he subject would be considered fairly
and IN spirit OF amity, and IL considcra-
ION oil the feelings of those parts ot the
State which urc not iuirly represented.
A Constitution might then be formed in
1 spirit Of compromise, and he thought
that feeling was met fairly, those towns
low over represented, would have hieh-
,r privileges secured to them than if they
,old on and refuse to part with any por-
ION OF the power they now have. Men
;annot expect always 10 hold on to their
privileges, because they wore granted
y the Chatter of British King--lct
is do this now and not drive the people
any other mode Of changing the gov
rnment.
MIR. Robinson said the Assembly had
hanged the privileges Of clec,ors-had
hanged and taken away the rights Of
ne men who sent us here by the various
lection laws. The right Of voting was
niargcd only last session, when men
we're allowed to vote when the freehold
ias not in the town where the voter re-.
idcs.
Mr.. Randolph said the Assembly had
q right 10 do what they were auompl-
'g. Ii part Of the towns don't chooso
elcgaFs, the others make the consiiu-
on for them, aud that is put to the poo
ic. Newport has i'B proper ratio Of
eprcscntation-It has now the exact
umber i, would have, if the seventy
'o members were appor,loned according
voters-but he thought TO interfere
ilh the representation was assuming
over lie thought Providence would
OF be fairly represented by the proposed
langos, and some of The srall towns
ould be ever represented but we had
D power to do any thing in this matter.
he power o: tho State is not in tho
WINS over represented, but il is in tho
orili, and they would have the power
Convention under the present appor-
,nment.
Mr.. Jackson thought The House clear
had power TO form body to draft
institution, to put TO ireemcn, to adopt
reject lie snw no force in The prgu.
ent against ii.
Mr. Whipple said We had been told
, must wait for the people to move
, cannot even have { onycn,ion un-
IS the people move to elect delegates.
Mr.. Randolph enquireG it tins House
uld appoint person 10 form eonsti-
ion lie thought il must be done IN
same manner ns representatives aio
,ctcd.
MIR. Howe thought wherever the peo.
, rosidc--in whatever town-ihey
ght 10 have m equal voice in the gov
nment. lie wished the subject post
ned.
Mr. Barber preferred the ratio named
the resolutions 10 that of Mr.. Howe.
Mr.. Cransion wished The resolutions
amended that no town should lose
10. l..s Il II