Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-01-27
RAID OF THE TIM ES.

portion. No State in this Union ever
unless the minority had been heard IN
/ the formation aud adoption of it.
If change was effected in this State
If Rhode Island is to adopt new sys-
tenn, and Rhode Island men were to
frame il, he was sure that majority OF
our citizens would never disgrace a X.
| Island minority.
II MIR. Robinson said he was, and had
been IN favor Of an extension Of suffrage;
his votes upon record were sufficient evil
Jence. But he was opposed TO this ref
erence as u question Of expedIency
merely.
\ The friends Of this me asure started
upon the admission that all who were not
with them, were against them. First,
then, this committee would have to find
out the whole number Of freeholders.
and examine into all the qualifications Of
all who arc freemen on the records, and
to inquire into all the difficult questions
connected herewith
Il Again, many whose names, appear on
the lists, have denied either that they
! placed them there or gave any one au
! ihorty To do so. Here, then, was most
intricate subject to inquire into.
Il The expense too was an item TO be ta-
ken into consideration.
| Many who had voted for the constitu
ton, did SO without any knowledge Of its
provisions. They only asked-does this
extend to me the right of suffrage, with
out knowing or caring for any thing else .
!. under the Influence Of this excltenen nj, +,
many had given in their votes, who would
never consent that the provisions therein
contained should ever become funda-
mental laws Of the State Unless they
are SO imbued with Connecticut and
Massachusetts notions in which most Of
them were brought up, they would not
give up those principles which have
made our little State glorious and honor
eo. The calm thought of many X. j.
men would not consent TO have many
things there proposed engralted upon
our system.
MIR. w. S. Burges-This was ques-
ton involving the interest Of this State,
and as the House was soon 10 be called
by yeas and nays, he would give some
reasons for his vote.
The question is simply on the refer
ence OF the act offered by MIR. Atwell
and the commune alton from the Cover
nor to committee of inquiry.
\ lie could not see how tins was contra
ry to the dignity OF this House. These
men asked nothing, and it was only a
movement of the Assembly TO inquire
into fact vitality concerning them.
MIR. RandoI pin said that this was rev
olulionary movement, one that this house
could not possibly sanction. lie thought
1t beneath the dignity Of this house to
institute all inquiry, where the house
could not act even if the statements 10
be inquired into were all true.
\ Mr. B. had stated that the parties
who sen, these papers here, had not ask
ed any investigation OF this Assembly
1t is true they asked no inquiry, they
claimed that their Constitution was the
supreme law of the laud, aud so pro-
claimed it 10 US. Ii there was any pc.
ton here he would hear it, and be IN IA
vor Of in.ti,uting such proceedings IL
were necessary, but as there was none,
he thought it derogatory to the dignity
OF the House
AT the conclusion of MIR. R'sremarks
the House OH motion OF MIR. Bosworlh,
adjourned.
FRIDAY MORNING, Jan. 2l.-The
House met at ten O'clock.
The act relative to school districts in
North Providence was passed.
The act to authorize the sale Of per-
sonal property attached on ori. inal wit,
was passed.
Mr. Atwell called for the consideration
of his motion of reference Of yesterday
MIR. j. II. Clarke was in favor OF MIR
Atwel's motion, and made long speech
defining his views and position on this
subject. Ike was in favor Of the princI-
pies embodied Ia that constitution, though
he did no, consider that the Constitution
was binding upon the people from the
manner OF Its adoption.
MIR. Dixo, followed, and opposed the
reference. Messrs. Bosworth x Howe,
also gave their views At considerable
length in opposition 10 the motion.
AFTERNOON .-Messrs. J. ii. Clarke
and Atwcll occupied the time IN the fur
ther discussion of Mr.. AS. motion.
SATURDAY MORNING, Jan. 22.-Mr |
Atwell's motion came up again, when
Mr.. a. recapitulated the grounds he
took the evening before.
He was followed by Mr.. Jackson in
opposition.
Mr.. Randolph replied to MIR. Atwell
We have on, room for part Of his re-
marks
lie would not say, Us gentlemen had
said, that in this contest, he feared no
consequences he did fear them, not the
consequences to himself, for if he were
to sink beneath that caden sea, OF which
tho gentleman had spoken, and neve,
more rise into political life, that consider.
alton would not weigh II feather with
him +; he feared the consequences which
were to affect the Institutions Of the State
of Rhode Island. lie lovod those lnsli.
tutions, and would desire 10 see them
and prosper, for "A time to come.
True, when he came TO this little State,
aud saw how things were conducted, \