Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1853-08-18
Il II E & CONS STITU TIONAL
CONVENTION.

ings ofthe Convention which assembled
yesterday 10 frame new Constitution
Tor this oppressed and down-,roGJen
State, and we had made the necessary
arrangements 10 report is doings from
day to day, but owing TO The delay in
assembling, and 10 the doubt about the
place Of meeting,-lhe Sheriff having
refused TO open the State House until a
bond Of indemnify had been executed
our report is very imperfect; and We
profess to give nothing more than an
outline Of the organization.
When our reporter entered, Gov.
Lawrence was in the chair, having been
chosen by one majority, the votes being
counted by himself in order 10 ensure
perfect accuracy
The Rev. Mr.. Peterson was elected
chaplain unanimously, with the excep-
tion OF Mr.. Hazard vi West GreenwIch,
who objected TO all boughlen religion
aud looked upon The whole affair as all
insidious attempt oi certain gentlemen
in this House aud out of this House, TO
exert an improper influence over The
Convention, ana turn the whole affair
in gingerbread and fIligree work.
When Mr.. DORIS name was called as
a delegate from Giocester, he rose and
said that he had been elected TO 6 I for the
Sixth Ward OF Providence and req est
ed To make the record accordingly. 1t
Was objected that he had not been cho-
sen III that Ward. Mr.. Dorr replied
that he had been nominated by the
Democrats Of the Ward. and produced
his letter IN reply TO show that "nom-
inallon was equivalent 10 an election"
One Of the members returned from the
Sixth Ward, expressed "a wish that Mr..
Dorr might be gratlhed, dung, IN Tie
most generous manner. that II the Con-
ventlon required vacancy 10 be maze
III order 10 give MIR. Dorr the seat, lie
would himself resign, as 1t made veiy
iluIe difference to hIu whether he sat
Tor that Ward or not.
Gov. Lawr' nee having been returned
tr, III Newport and from Charlcstowu,
elected 10 sit Tor the latter He did
this from regard to the earnes. sullcIiu-
tlons OF his friend Major GavlIt and al
so because he understood from The pub-
lie papers, That III Newport and other
commercial towns The franchise had
been greatly corrupted, although lie
knew nothing oi II personally, and he
was dt sIious oi representing q constllu-
ency winch was sun IN the prlluItv, III
uocence OF pastoral lie, and uncon-
lammaled by The wlckedness Of modern
poltlcs. lis election IRON that town
was entirely unexpected TO hlm, ami
the more crafty my The Tree otlerln4 OF
an lncurrupihlc constituency.
Maj jor Gdvitt thanked the honorable
gentleman Tor his complimentary alu-
sion TO the town oi Charlestuwn. lie
believed he could truly say that The
compliment was well observed he hui
heard much OF the corruption ol other
towns, but he had seen none ul 1t. lie
never knew d vote 10 be bought III
CharlcsloNn but IT Was honestly paid
iOr al the full price agreed upon he
would say that or bUtn sides; there had
been no cheating, no corruption IN
CharIestown. He had been sorry To
learn that in several towns. men Lad
bought votes, and refused 10 pay lor
III EN- - although trades Ul that KIND
ought always IN his oplhion, TO be for
Cash down-and III Lllt Compton men
had bought votes and paid Tor them III
counterfeit money. That he called cor
ruptlon. Such things were calculated
to destroy confidence between man and
man, anu to break down all honesty in
politics. He loo ed upon Gov. Law
renee as an honorable man he always
ala what he said he would.
A resolution was passed directing the
Clerk 10 contract wi b Mr.. Paine, OF
Worcester 10 lighl the room with his
gas.
n communication was received from
DR.. GOuraud, Invlllug the members OF
The Convention To take an excursion in
one o the Rhode Island aud Niediler.
rancan Caiorlc Steam Ships Nav gallon
Company boats,arouud Point No Point
and back. lhe invitation was accept
ed, and MIR. W aNTman, OF " dIpIck,
was appointed 10 convey TO the enterpri.
snug protector the thanks OF the Con-
ven lou lor his liberal offer, ani their
apprec lalion oi the great undertaking
erman was luI ther recled To inquire #
The bouts OF the Caloric, &c navigated
the region OF Salt River.
The President placed before the Con.
venllon letter irom the Rev. Lleazer
" IlIlams, assuring them ol The sympa-
thy aud support OF The elder branch Of
the Bourbon lanly.
-. A memorial was received from Ma
than Porter, claiming seat III tne
Convention, by virtue Of holding oUe'.-
The memorial was qrIle lengthy and
veiy ingenious. The memorIal,st states
that he was duly nominated lOr G,le-
gate To The Convention, ana declined
II any one should say that lie was nomi-
mated with the understanding lhal he
would decline, he should treat the lnsiil-
uatlOn with The contempt that II deserv
cd he had 10 reason 10 suppose that
any SUCH lalse report had been cIrcua-
ted. bot as all SORTS vi stories were told
about ed.lnenI political meu, /, was not
m Osslble. 1 lac memorial proceeded
VI on the suppCsllion that Tie memorial
isl might, through his Influence with
crrlan leading men, and The confidence
that the parry generally placed ~ hIn,
have obtained possession ui the sell
scaling envelopes, aud nclOsed hls own
name instead OF that vi the regular can
diddte,-that tile trick would not have
been detected tll the polls had closed,
and that the Town clerk, who would be
III the plot, would have been bound to
deliver him the certificate. II any