Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-06-03
.Issne Town Meeting.

Jmne Town Meeting.
The annual meeting for the election
Of Town Officers, and the TRANSACTION
of other municipal business, was helo
in this town on Tuesday last, at tho
Sd Congregational Meeting House, il
CIark-slrcet, (the repairs going on il
the Court House still preventing tn,
freemen from having their meeting.
there as usual.) The meeting com
mcnced at 10 o'clock A. NJ, and the
warrant being read, Henry Y. Gran
ston, Esq. was chosen Moderator
when the frcemen proceeded to the
election Of Town officers, as follows
Town Cicrk.-Benj b. Howland.
After the Town Clerk was elected
he was duly engaged by the Modcra'
tor, according to the usual form.
Torn Council.-Theophilus Topham
David NJ. Coggeshall, EIeazer Trevett
Nathan 3. Hammett, Anthony V. Tay.
lor.
Toirn Treasurer. George Freeborn
T1wn Sergcani.-James Lawton.
Commissioners School Fund.--D. G..
Denham, John Stevens, f. w. Law
ton. Mr.. Lawtoa in place Of f. +.
Newton, who goes out by rotation.
The election of Public School Com
mi.tee being next in order, discussion
arose in regard to the manner the du-
ties of the Committee had been dis
charged, sc.
Mr.. George Tillcy said there had
been great evil practised in the Pub
lie School Department. There were
men that he had in his minds eye,
worth from 90 900 to $4,000 dollars,
who he understood, could get their
children admitted to the public schools,
while poor mems children were ex-
cluded. lie thought the Committee
ought not to admit rich mems children
to the exclusion of the poorer classes,
but should be instructed TO give in all
cases preference to the latter.
Mr.. Thos. G. Piuman thought if what
Mr.. IT, had stated was correct, the
town ought to pass vote to remedy
such an evil He would call upon the
Committee to state the facts.
The Moderator remarked that he did
not understand any charges were made.
Mr.. Tillcy said he had frequently
heard complaints from poor people on
the Point, that they could not get their
admitted, while others, whom
he knew, were admitted.
Mr.. Joseph B. Weaver, one of the
School Committee, stated that the Com
mittce had always endeavored to act
i'nparially in tho discharge Of their du-
ties--they did no, understand that they
had any right to make distinctons-to
say who was or who was not able to
pay schooling--the first on the list was
generally admitted, according to a rule
that had always been adopted.
Mr.. NJ Freeborn thought that before
the town elect the Committee, II vote
should be passed TO leave out three of
tho Committee, and add three every
year. People would be better salts
fed, ir they had no particular objection
TO the Committee.
Mr.. Joshua Trip made a few re-
marks respecting the admission Of chill
ircn to the schools, confrmatory Of
what Mr.. Tillcy had offered.
Mr.. T.. w. Lawton said that when
nc was on tho Committee, it was never
pretended that we had schools for every |
,ody's childrcn--tbe Committee then
ook the liberty to admit the poor chill
lren to the exclusion Of the rich, and
or his part he felt justified in so doing,
nd should do SO again, if called upon
o act.
Mr.. ID, e. Denha;n said the Com
niiiee bad no power TO do that, and
lid not therefore feel authorised to do so. .