Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-05-11
6cralo Of the Qimcs
Rh0DE-ISl Err;
NEWPORT.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Thursday, May 4th, lSis


Thursday, May 4th lsis.
Communications, from his Excellency the
Governor, covering sundry resolutions from the
various States of the Union, received and re-
ferred TO Messrs. Cranston, Whippe and Tour
tellot.
A Joint resolution, providing for the appoint
ment OF committee TO audit the General
Treasurer's accounts, was taken up and acted
on, and Mr.. Robbins, Of Newport, appointed
20 that committee on the part Of the House.
An act in addition to an act, entitled an act, re-
lating to the harbor and public waters, of the
town of Providence, being put upon its passage,
Mr.. Tourtellot moved as an amendment, a sec
ton to repeal the act Of January, lsiS, which
prohibits the erection of railroads without char
ter from the General Assembly. This, and
another amendment to extend the provisions of
the act To all towns in the State, were debated
bv Messrs. Tourtcllot, Weeden, +. Brown,
Ames, Porter, Barber, Smith and Dixon-and
after prolonged discussion were both rejected
The bill was then passed.
Mr.. Porter, Of ..Cranston, introduced resolu-
,ions on the subject of the recent revolution in
France, which he supported in speech of
much length, enlargng on the character and
effects of that movement. Received and refer
red 10 committee of one from each county.
The speaker shortly after announced the com
mittee which consisted of Messrs. Cranston,
Porter, Allen, Bosworth, & Gavt.
Mr.. Whipple of Coventry introduced rcsolu-
tons also on the subject of slavery in the Dis
trict of Columbia. Received and referred TO
Messrs. Whipple, Davis, On. P.,) Dixon,
Robbins, and Randall.
The bills respecting the Courts of Common
Pleas and the Supreme Court, were then made
the order of the day for this afternoon, and the
House adjourned to p M.
THURSDAY afternoon, May 4th.
The House proceeded to the consideration
of the bill in amendment of an act establishing
Courts of Common Pleas. This bill which dis
penses with the side judges, and provides for
semodelling the Courts, was considered section
by section, and passed-yeas 40, Nays %.
The bill in amendment of an act in relation
TO the Supreme Court was then taken up
the blanks in the first section filed with 900
dollars as the salary of the Chief Justice, and
$50 do. as the salary of each of the Associate
Justices and after debate was passed, without
division Of the House. Sundry reports of
the Committee on accounts were then read
and adopted.
The Senate concurrcd in the resolution for
counts, with the addition of the Hon. Edward
w. Lawton.
The Committee on Corporations reported the
charter for the city of Newport, amended,
without expressing any opinion as to the pro-
prcty of granting it. The House on motion
of Mr.. Cranston, took up the report, and char
ter, but before proceeding in the further con-
sidcration of it on motion Of Mr.. Davis of N |
Providence, the House adjourned until to-mor-
row morning at o'clock
FRiDAY Morning, May 8.
Hc llouSc mt W
at 0, A. M. Various reports were made from
committees and read from the chair.
The House proceeded TO consider the act
for Incorporating the city Of Newport. The
Remonstrants in opposition TO it, were heard
by their Counsel, VIM. III. Potter, Esq, and
the friends of the Charter by one oftheir com
miiiec, VIM. Ennis, Esq, and the question
was then debated by Messrs.. Cranston, II. f..
Turner, +. Brown, and others. The Charter
was so amended as to have one trial on the
third week Of October, instead of two as the
bill contemplated.
A motion was made by Mr. Gorham of Prov
idencc, that three ffhs Of the electors voting
be necessary to adopt the Charter but on
calling the House, the amendment was re-
iected--ycas 10, nays so the delegation FROM
this town voting, Robbins and Turner in the
Affirmative Anthony, Cranston and Ward, in
the negative.