Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1854-03-09
said jurors for cause, or TO have a new

Helu tndt tne jury W'BHt III efiuiinui
cases stake upon themselves the re-
sponsitii,y Of deciding questions of
law !" and the accused was not allowed
to show IN justification or in explanation
Of his motives or intent. that he acted
under a constitution which had been
adopted by large majority Of the peo-
Pile of the State, and an eec Ion under
the same as governor OF the State, and
in accordance with what he deemed to
be his right aud duty in consequen CO
thereof -
And, whereas, the said Thomas Will
son Dorr was thereby wrongfully con-
vicied -
And, whereas, il 10 desirable for the
best interests OF this State, that tho
wrongs thereby inflicted upon the said
Dorr and upon the people Of the State,
should be redressed, and that the an
imosities created by the civil conmo-
TONS which preceded and accompanied
said trial, should cease and determine
And whereas, it has been the custom
OF our English ioreiathers, (but for
which there hath been happily no occa.
sion heretofore in the history Of this
couniry) whenever judgments for trea.
son have been thus illegally and wrong
fully obtained, to reverse by act of par
Lament such judgments, as to direct, 10
the end that justice be done those who
have been thus convicted, that the re-
cords thereof be cancelled and destroy.
ed -
The amendment, as above recited,
was adopted
A debate ensued, in which Mr.. J. II.
Weeden supported the act, and Messrs.
Shearman, Duriee, and Bosworth op.
posed it.
Mr. Boswor,h submitted the follow
ing resolutions, which were read.
Resolved, That the Judge of the Su-
preme Court are hereby requested TO
give TO this House their written opinion
Immediately, as to the constitutional
power of the General Assembly 10 pass
the bill now pending before this House,
entitled "an act to reverse and annul
the judgment, OF the Supreme Cour,
rendered June rs, 1914, against Thorn
"a W. Dorr for treason"
Resolved, That the clerk OF this
House forward TO said court cory Of
these resolutions, together with a copy
Of the preamble and bill, upon which
they are hereby required TO give their
opinion.
The resolutions were lost, ayes 81,
noes 80.
Mr., Whiuord, Of West Greenwich,
asked and obtained leave oil absence,
ior the remainder OF the sess ion.
Adjourned.
AFTERNOON.
Ga motion OF Mr.. J. II. Weeden, the
att NUN tilt cfnale Gnu icu an uCt 10
revise and annuI the judgment Of the
Supreme Court rendered June IS,
le44, against Thomas w. Dorr Tor
treason WAS taken up for considera.
ton.
A long disc ussion followed, in which
the act was supported by MeSsrs. AR.
mold, Po ter, Titus, and Gavilt, AM op-
posed by Messrs. Bullock, Dixon, Bos-
worth, and Shearman.
MIR. Shearman moved TO strike out
The second section Of the act. Lost
ayes II, noes 40.
The act, as amended. was then pass
cd in concurrence, by the following
vote:
AYES-Mess-s. E. Angel, II. J.
Angel, Arnold Baker, Bailon, Barnes,
E. Brown, j. Z. Brown. Burroughs,
Coe, Hoxie, Kenyon, Knight, Lyon,
Matthewson, Mowry, Owen, Perry,
Pierce, Potter, Purlnton, Remington,
Styles, Steerc, Taft, Thayer. Titus,
Tucker, J. II. Weeden, w. A. Weeden,
w. Whipple-39.
NOES -Messrs. Anthony, Baleman,
Bosworh BrowneIl. Bullock. II Clarke
p. Clarke, Davis. Dixon Durfee Greene.
Holden, Howard, Hunter, johnson,
McGregor. Manchester, Muaroe, Shear.
man, Sh ppee, Speneer-lS.
Mr.. Peck, OF Providence, was excus.
ed from voting, he having conscientious
scruples as TO the constitutional power
Of the Assembly TO order the records Of
the court 10 be mintia,ed.
Adjourned.
WEDNESDAY Morning, Match |.
SENATE Mr.. Bradley, from the Ju-
dietary Committee, reported ,l'e act
giving additiona! powers to the Court
of Justices, Newport winch was there
upon read and coHc.rred in.
Mr.. Reynolds introduced an act in
Of an act in relation TO the
pay Of jurors, which was rad, and
passed under suspension Of the rules.
This amendment provides that the act
passed at the present session upon
tits subject shall take effect from and
alter It's passage.
MIR. Bradley, from the Judiciary
Committee, reported an act IN amend.
ment Of an act concerning crimes and
punI.hments, which was read and pass
Cd in concurrence.
Adjourned.
ArrERsooN