The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-25
CONSTITUTION OF RHODE ISLAND.

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CONSTITUTION OF RHODE ISLAND.
Rhode Island Conpention--A Convention having
for its objects the framing of State Constitution,
was in session in Rhode Island during the create
part of last week. Without completing its labors tho
Convention adjourned till the month Of February next
The Providence Herald states that motion to insert
in the Bill Of flights the declaration that all men
created equal" and that the po1ers Of Govern
ment are righyuuy in the people, was voted down by
the Convention. From the Providence Journal we
derive the annexed outline of their proceedings:
THE CONSTITUTION.
There are but few provisions in the Constitution
framed by the Convention which need to be particular
lied, as its main features are precisely the same
those of present form of Government. The alte
rations in the prescribed tenure of Office for the
Justices of the Supreme Court,-,he new apporiion-
ment of representation among the towns-and in the
giving up of the freehold qualification fol vo'ers.
There other material variations from the pre-
sent unwritten Constitution
The annual election for general officers is to take
place the third Wednesday of April as formerly
and in candidate has majority Of the votes
cast by the people, the Senate and House in grand
committee, may fiji the vacancy in any Office, from the
two candidates having The highest number Of votes
Vacancies in the Senate, from the cause may DO
filled by the House.
holden exactly they by the present law, and
that body all the judicial and vsaoria powers
il has hitherto exercised.
The members Of the House Of Representatives
to be elected semi-annualy at present, the
days for town meetings. BY the apportionn,cnt,
all towns having under 1000 inhabitants entitled
to elect two representatives all having between 1000
and G, 500, three representatives all having between
500 and 10000 four representatives. all having be-
tween 1000 and Is 600 five representatives. all hav-
ing between Is 900 and 81 600 seven representatives
tut no town or city is to have more than seven
representatives.. This gives Providence reprcsen.
tatves; Newport Smithfeld, and Warwick, four
each Cumberland, North Providence, and Sctuate
three each and all other towns, two each.
The Senate is to consist Of ten members, and TO DO
elected as at present, by general ticket. The Govef
is its presiding officer and The Secretary OF State
its Secretary 1t is The tribunal for the trial Of i'm
peachmen,s, which to be preferred by the House.
One additional power is conferred the Governor,
that of granting reprieves till the end of the ses
sion of the General Assembly and no longer.
The Justices of the Supreme Court to be elect
ed by the Grand Committee, and 10 retain their
until they may be declared vacant by joint resou
ton of both Houses to he voted for by majority Of
all the members elected to each. separate Court 81
Chancery Is forbidden TO be established. The Judi
ciary otherw Use remains at present. under the regu
atiuD Of the General Assembly.
The article education directs the establishment
Of public schools and secures the money appropriated
for that purpose from being diverted to other use
Amendments 10 be proposed by the General As
semby, and distributed among the towns, before
next general election. Ii the General Assembly then
elected shall in them, they be sent
10 the people, aud il then adopted they become part
If the Constitution.
The qualification for voters was the only portion of
the article The elective franchise which deter.
mined. The section provides that every free white
male native citizen, Of the age of twenty -one years
and upwards who Is possessed of the same freehold
qualification at present, OF personal property Ia
the amount of $500 on which he has paid taxes may
he admitted freeman in the where he resides.
One years residence in the State, and six months in
the town where he offers VOTE quired of every
voter on freehold qualification Voters personal
property must have resided, and paid taxes, for two
years in the towns where they offer TO vote and will
not he allowed vote unless all their taxes paid.
Those eldest sons Of ffeeholdefs who now vote, may
continue to do So but none are hereafter TO be admit.
ted
Among the sections not acted upon was one requir.
ing foreigners TO obtain their admission from III. Cen
era Assembly
The Convention did reach the article on general
provisions. This fixes the time for the Constitution
10 &c into effect-connues the present Government
til that timeand confirms the acts Of the old Gov
ernment. IL also forblds the General Assembly from
making any future lottery grant, mourning State
debts amount exceeding $50 000 except in time
Of war invasion, without the express con enl Of
tie peol le
These portions which have not been acted upon,
will be discussed and decided at the adjourned SESSION
N February.
DUTLERS BLUE LAID CAP, &c.--Just rccely-
IL ed by the subscriber superior lot Of Buffers Buo
Laid Cap. Also, Buffers Blue and White LAID and
Wove Letter Papers, ruled and plain Buffers Folio