Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-04-07

again on l4th of February, 10 ascertain wv
sentiments Of their constituents on tins 'nn
dame ntal question. Before this time, how
ever, the Suffrage Convention completed
their work, and declared their constitution
the supreme law. AT the session OF this
General Assembly in January last, they
communicated their constitution and theh
declaration to the General Assembly.
At the commencement Of the January
session, Mr.. Atwell, who had been member
Of the Suffrage Conve ntlOn. introduced an ac'
recitng the fact OF the adoption OF the Sui
frage Convention by q majority OF the people,
and its having become the supreme law, and
requiring the General Assembly 10 yield up
it's authority to the new government which
was to be formed under il.
This step being found too bold to meet
with any countensDce in this Assembly, hr
afterwards made q motion to inquire how
many of the legally qualified voters in the
State, had voted for this constitution. This
motion did not prevail the Legislature was
not disposed to sanction in any manner. the
dongs OF this convention, or the voting under
their authority.
The following resolutions were then passed
by the General Assembly with much unani'
nifty, but seven voting against them:
STATE OF RHODE, ISLAND AND
PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
In General Assembly January Session
A. ID. 1912.
Whereas portion of tho People of this
State, without the forms of law, have under
taken 10 form and establish a constitution oi
government for the people of this State, and
have declared such constitution TO be the s0
preme law, and have communicated such
constitution unto this General Assembly
and whereas many Of The good people OF tins
State are in danger Of being misled by these
informal proceedings: therefore,
his hereby resoived By this General .Assem
bIy, That all acts done by the persons aiore'
said for The purpose OF imposing upon tins
State n Constitution, are an assumption ol
the powers of government in violation OF the
rights Of the existing government, and of The
rights Of the people at large.
Resolved, That the Convention called and
organized IN pursuance Of an act OF this
General Assembly, for the purpose OF form.
ing constitution to be submitted to the peo-
pie of this State, is the only body which we
can recognise as authorised 10 form such o
constitution and to this convention the
whole people have a right TO look, and we are
assured they will not look in vain Tor such
form Of government as will promote their
peace, security and happiness.
RESOLVED, That this General Assembly VIII
maintain its own proper authority, and pro
tect and defend the legal and constitutional
rights OF the people.
True copy-witness
HENRY BOWEN, Sec'ry.
This General Assembly though they con-
sidcrcd this pretended constitution as null.
y,yei, were disposed to consider the number
Of persons who had voted for it ns expressive
of an opinion in the community that the right
of suffrage should be very literally extern
ded.
A bill was introduced into the legislature.
providing for such an extension Of suffrage
as was afterwards adopted By the legal con-
ven,ion. 1t was however, deemed improper
by many, that this should be done by tho
General Assembly and especially as the free
men had already sent delegates TO conven
,ion to decide upon this matter. As sub
sti,ute for this bill, and with a view to con
cillation, the following act wns passed:
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROvI.
DENCE PLANTATIONS.
In General Assembly. January Session, A.
d., 1912.
An Act in amendment Of an Act entitled
"An net revising the act entitled an act regu
laung the manner Of admitting Freemen, and
directing the method Of elcclng officers IL.
this State"
Wbnronc ho nnnb ponn1a Of tlic St,t.
having elected delegates To a Convention 10
form Constitution, which Constitution, n
ratified by the people, will be The supreme
law OF the State, therefore,
Be ii enacted by The General assembly as
Joiiotcs:
All persons now qualified to vote under lh,
existing laws, previous To the time Of sucL
their voting, and all persons who shall BE-
qualified to vote under the provisions of such
constitution, shall be qualified 10 vote upon
The question Of the adoption Of said constltu
ton.
True copy-witness,
HENRY BOWEN, Secry
The legally authorised Convention met AZ
the time to which they had adjourned, (lIth
Of February,) finished their work and sub
inIttcu lntlr CONSTITUTION 10 the people, 10 Dt
voted upon, on the 2lst, 22d and 23d days oi
March, 1912.
The provisions Of this constitution extend
ed the right Of suffrage to every white tnal
native citizen of the United States Of III.
age Of 81 years, who has resided in TIN,
State two years and in the town or city
where he offers 10 vote six months next pre-
ceding his voting. excepting luna,ics, pau
pers, &c. and TO such naiuralized citizens a.
possessed such freehold qualification as has
been heretofore required for all citizens on
residence of three years IN this State after
their naturalization, and six months in lh,
town or city 10 which they offer to vote mex,
the time OF voting.
This extension was as liberal TO all native
born American citizens ns that granted BY
the so called "Peope's Constitution" cxcep
that f,co years residence was required instead
ot one. II was further extension than was
by the bill already mentioned
introduced by Mr Atwell at the June session.
In relation TO those who are born in foreign
countries, it was not deemed prudent that
they should be admitted to the right Of suf
frage as freely as the native born citizen, and
not until, by a longer residence, and free
hold qualification, there was such evidence
of UDertonnpn M common interest with and nj.