Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-04-07
Al A CT
In relation to Offences against the
Sovereign Power of this State.

WHEREAS, ~ IA Tree government, II Is espe-
caly necessary that the duties of the citizen 10
the constituted authorities should be plainly
defined, so that none may coniound our rcgula.
ted American liberty with unbfidled license
aud whereas, certain designing persons, have,
for some iime past, been busy with false pre-
tenccs amongst the good people of this State,
and have formed and are now endcavorng to
carry through plan for the subversioD Of our
governments under assumed forms of law, but
IN plain violation Of the first prnc Plies Of con-
SiiiulioEal right, aud many have been deceived
thereby and whereas this General Assembly
at tho same time that it is desirous to awaken
the honest and well meaning, To Il sense oftheir
duty, is resolved by all necessary means TO
guard the safety and honor of the State, and
Overlooking what il past, to punish such evil.
doers in future, in Il manner due 10 their often.
ccs:
BE ii enacted by The General .4ssemLiyas fol.
iomS
SECTION |. All town, ward or other meet.
ings of the lreemen, inhabitants or residents of
this State, or of any portion of the same, for
The election of any town, city, ward, county or
State officer or officers, called or held in any
town Of this State, or in the city Of Providence,
except in the manner, for the purposes, at the
times, and by the irecmcn, by law prescribed,
are Illegal and void: and any person or persons
who shall act as moderator or modcrators, war
den or wardcns, clerk or clerks, in such pre-
tended town, ward or other meetings hereafter
To be held, or in any name or manner receive,
record certify votes for the election of any
pretended town, city, ward, county or State
officers, shall be deemed guilty of "A misdcmea-
nor and be punished by Indictment with a fno
not exceeding one thousand nor less than five
hundred dollars, and be imprisoned for the
term of six mouths PrOridcd, ho,ceper, that
this act is not intended 10 apply to cases, in
which by accident or mistake, some prescribed
form or forms of calling town or ward meetings
of the ircomen Of the several towns of this
State, and Of the city OF Providence, shall be
omitted or overlooked.
SEC. =. Any person or persons who shall in
any manner signify that he or they viii! accept
any executive, legislative, judicial or minste-
rial office or offices, by virtue Of any such pre-
tended election IN any such pretended town,
ward or other meeting or meetings, or shall
knowingly suffer or permit his or their name
or names, To be used rs u candidate or candi.
dates therefor, shall be adjudged guilty of a
high crime and misdemeanor, aud be punished
by indictment in "a fine of Two thousand dollars,
and be imprisoned for the term Of one year.
SEC. 8. III any person or persons, except
such as are duly elected thereto, according to
the laws of this State, shall under any pretend.
ed Constitution OF government for this State,
or otherwise assume 10 exercise any of the Lee.
yisiatiVe, Executive or ministerial functions of
the offices of Governor, LicuteDant- Governor,
Senators, members of the House of Represen.
tatives, Secretary of State, Attorney General,
or General Treasurer Of this State, or within
the territorial limits Of the same, as the samo
arc now actually held and enjoyed, either sepa.
ratoly or collectively, or shall assemble Tor the
purpose of exercising any or said functions, all
and every such exercise Of, or meeting for the
purpose of exercising all, any, or either of said
functions, shall bo deemed and taken to be an
isurpaiion of the sovereign power Of this State,
and is hereby declared To be TREAsoy against
the State, aud shall be punished by in,prison.
ment during life, as is now by law prescribed.
SIC. 4. All Offences under this act shall bo
triablc before the Supreme Judicial Court only
Any person or persons arrested under the same,
aud alsp for treason against the State, may bs
Imprisoned or held IN custody for trial in the
jail OF such county Of the State NJ the Judge or
Justice issuing the warrant may order or direct
aud the sheriff or other officer charged with
the service of such warrant, shall, without ro,
gard TO his precinct, have full power and au.
thority to take such person or persons, aud him
~ them To commit 10 amy county Jail N this
tate, which may be designated by such Judge
~ Justice aud II shall be the duty Of all shcr.
MS, inwn.srrgeanis, constnblcs aud iail, ~ 10
govern Themselves accordingly. All indi,t.
ncnts under this ac' aud al,o all indictments
Tor treason against this state may be- preferred
aud found ~ any county of this State without
regard To the county ~ which the offence was
conimiited aud the Supreme Judicial Court
shall have full power for good cause, iron iilns
: 20 time, TO remote iOT u.ai auy iudi, lncnt