Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-07-01
From the Providence Journal,
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

The General Assembly adjourned at New
port on Friday evening, after session Of -four
days.
A general incorporation law was passed. au
thorizing corporations for manufacturing and
mechanical purposes to be established on GER
tain conditions, without making the corpora
tors individually liable beyond the amount Of
the capital. This is very great departure
from the established policy of the State, which
has carried the principle of individual liability
10 an unusual extent, applying it even to banks
and to corporations for purposes Of education
and religion. We are Of opinion. however, thai
the effect of the change will be good, that it will
stimulate enterprise, invite capital to invest
ment, and increase and diversity lhe productive
industry Of the State, while The public security
will be as well provided for as under the old
system, which made the corporators individual
ly liable, but did not provide for publicity to
the affairs of the corporations. For this pub
iicity, however, which is the essence of the
whole plan, we do not think the new law ade
quately provides.
A general law was passed for the voluntary
incorporation Of Library, Academy and School
Associations. This will relieve the General
Assembly from attending to the separate peti
tions for acts Of incorporation of this kind, in
which considerable time has always been con,
sumed.
An act was passed giving the Supreme Court
original jurisdiction in all cases where the
amount is over $lOO The object of the act is
to enable suits of this class to be brought four
times year. instead of twice, as at present.
An act was passed to protect the towns from
the evils of pauper immigration. The law pro-
vides that vessels, railroad companies, and other
carriers, bringing foreigners into town, shall
give bond of indemnity to the town that they
shall nor become .chargeable within a year,
Town Councils are also authorized to require
auy railroad company to make returns of the
number, age, sex and native country of all pas.
sengers left by such railroads in the several
towns, and the railroad companies are made liza
BILE for any persons, SO returned, who may be-
come chargeable.
the "air line " railroad which is projected
through this State, was continued. There was
no appearance for the petition.
The subject ola State tax was debated, and
was postponed to the next session.
The very injudcous legislation of the last
session upon the State Prison was repealed
Gov. Harris made communication to the Gen.
eral Assembly, in which he stated that he had
made careful investigation into the affairs of
the institution, and was satisfied that the en-
ployments at which the prisoners were engaged
were more profitable to the State than thai
which the new law required An act was
passed restoring to the Inspectors complete
control over the kind ofbusiness to be pursued,
and authorizing them to fix the number, define
the duties and salaries of the officers of the
prison, except the Warden and Jailor. othe
good sense of the Governor in making the sug-
gestion which has been so promptly acted upon
by the General Assembly, the State is probably
indebted for large saving to the treasury.