Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1843-05-04

Greene. Babbitt, B. r. tloxie, Cole, O. Pot.
ter, 8. b. Smith, Of House,
The Secretary and Clerks were then added
to this committee.
A communication from the Mayor of the
city of Providence, was then read. II en-.
closed several proxies with the names of the
voters written on them, which had been
found among the ballots for Senator and
Representatives.
Mr.. Ames moved that this communication
and the accompanying papers be received
and referred to the counting committee for
them to inquire into the facts, and report
whether such votes could be legally received
and counted.
This motion excited some debate. II rails
cd the question whether the grand committee,
which by the constitution is the Judge Of the
general election, could in any way receive
and consider papers purporting to be votes,
unless they were communicated to the Cen
eral Assembly in the manner and through
the forms prescribed by the constitution
The question whether they should be counted
or not, was not raised on Ibis motion.
Mr.. Ames conended, that the clauses in
the constitution were generally directory
about the manner of receiving and transmit
ting votes, and did not abridge the power Of
the Grand Committee 10 amend an informal
return, or I'D receive Votcs WHICH WeTe dCCl'
dentally omitted TO be returned. This latter
power resided in the Grand Committee, who
were cOnstitutionally Judges Of the election.
and might be exescised by them now as for
mery The constitution did not say that the
Grand Committee should receive no other
votes then those taken and sent in the mode
pointed ont.
Mr. Updike supported this view, and spoke
i'm favor Of the reference. Tho committee
were only instructed to make inquiries con
.cernng these votes. not to count them. The
electors had done all which was required of
them when they deposited their votes. III
the town clerk neglected to return them,
should the votes be lost This committee
should first inquire into the power of the
Grand Committee to receive votes Irregulary
returned, and then into the facts concerning
The particular votes.
Mr.. Ballou. Of Cumberland, also favored
this mode of proceeding.
Mr.. Cranston and Mr.. Randolph were op-
posed TO considering the subject at ALL They
thought that the Grand Committee had no
power under The constitution to receive and
count any votes which were not transmitted
to them in the prescribed form and manner
This motion of reference was therefore use
less, as it could lead to no action on the part
of the Grand Committee.
Mr.. Brown, of Cumberland, favored this
view.
The motion Of NJ. Amcs prevailed.
NJ. Amrs then presented a communication
lrom citizens of BusrlyIllc, pnrporting to be
s,ts, illegally rejected by the board OF can
v'-scrs. He moved that these be referred
10 the same committee, with the same In
siructons.
Mr.. Randolph opposed this motion, because
b., holI IA trur iiip pf H.
s,itaiion obliged the grand committee 10 re.
jsct all such votes.
The papers were referred
The grand committee then adjourned I'LL
five o'clock =. Nj.
The new Assembly at 5 p. m. as per ad
journmcnt, met in Grand Committee to re-
ceivc the report ol the joint Committee APP
pointed 10 count the votes for Governor,
Lieut.. Governor, &c. The report having
been received and accepted IA more partcu-
lar account Of which will be given in tho
proceedings of the Assembly hercafter,) the
Hon. JAMES FrNyER and the other General
Officers of the Law and Order ticket, were
declared to be elected, and afterwards sworn
in by the Secretary. The several branches
of the Government being thus fully organized,
the Grand Committee separated.
AT G o'clock, the General Assembly
under the Charter of 1868, Gov. KING
in the Chair, again convened, ngreeably
to adjournment. The Committee np-
pointed to witness the organization Of the
4. r al.
MExr having made their repor! that the
said Government was duly organized,
and the same being entered on the Jour
nal, the Grand Committee and the Char
ter Government was declared TO be dis
solved.
The roar Of cannon announced the
Proclamation by the Town Sergeant,
from the Balcony Of the State House, Of
the Installation of the General Officers
under the new Constitution, after which
the Legislature adjourned, and pro-
cession was again formed, and returned
under escort as before, TO the lodgings
of the Governor.
The General Assembly met yesterday
morning at 10 o'clock and Immediately ad-
icurned for the purpose of joining the pro-
cession and marching 10 the meeting house
to hear the address Of Professor Goddard.
There was but little business of importance
transacted yesterday afternoon. The Assem-
IL, h,>n far dor IN
1000 copies of Professor Goddard's Address
to be printed.
The new company Of Horse Guards,
added not a little to the military display
ON Elnclion day. and deserved much