Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1855-03-01

NAleu w 'i'C hfiiiN'
Mr.. Walker, of Foster, presented an act
in relation to the powers and duties OF Over
seers of the poor.
The bill was read and referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary. 1t empowers
overseers of the poor Of The seveial towns
and guardians or other per.ons having
charge OF any insane person removed TO
any hospital or asylum in this State, and
make it their duty as often as once year,
at any time to enter such hospital or asy-
lum and examine the mode OF treatment
and condition of such insane person as
they may have under their care. Any
such institution, whether hospital or asylum
refusing the admission of such officer or
person shall forfeit and pay the sum OF two
hundred dollars with cost of prosecution.
Mr.. c. Whipple asked and obtained
leave to read to the House a statement from
Nathan Mathewson, overseer OF the poor ot
the town OF Foster in relation to the condi-
ton and treatment Of Goodspecd, all insane
pauper of that town, which put very dif-
ferem face upon the matter, and refuted the
statements entertained in the "lhurber
letters" heretofore published in relation TO
said Goodspeed. The statement OF Mr..
Mathewson was certified by several of the
most respectable citizens of the town, and
Mr.. Whipple seemed TO be convinced that
the previous statements of Goodspeed's ill
treatment were erroneous and without foun-
daton.
Adjourned till 10 o'clock to morrow
morning.
THURSDAY Morning, Feb. %.
SEKATH.-Thc Senate met at 10 o'clock,
Gov. Hoppin in the Chair.
An act in relation to the election of
school committee in the city Of Providence
concurred with an amendment.
Petition OF Robert Coscaden and wife,
for leave to sell real estate I; concurred.
AFTERNOON.
THE RAILROAD BILL.
Mr. Eames, from the Committee on the
Judiciary. reported the House bill, entitled
an act in relation 10 railroad corporations,
and transportation Of freight and passen-
gers.
The committee reported the bill with
sundry amendments.
The bill was taken up.
Several Senators expressed the desire to
postpone ,hs bill to an early time, in order
tnat they might examine the report Of the
committee.
Tn. bill was temporarily laid upon the
table, and the Senate took up the resolution
from the House, adjoul ming the General
Assembly finally on Friday next, and nom
concurred in the same.
The railroad bill was then taken up.
Mr.. Watson pressed its immediate
passage without amendment.
After some discussion of the amend
ment, striking out the first section, Dir.
Wall moved to postpone the bill until
Tuesday next, making it the special order
OF the day.
The motion was lost by the following
vote (:
AYEs-Mcssrs. Anthony, Chacc, Cook,
Cowee, Eames, Francis, Gould, Howard,
Luther, Maxon, Swan, Taylor, Wallis.
NOES - Messrs. Angel, Burlingame,
Chace, Champlin, Church, Ellis, Farnum,
r. Harris, J. 7. Harris, johnson, Keny' n,
Potter, Reynolds, Rose, Sweet, Watson,
Wecden-l7.
After further discussion of the bill, Mr..
Taylor moved an amendment to the first
section. e.
Mr.. Francis moved that the bill be re-
committed to the committee, but Withdrew
the motion.
Mr.. Luther said he had had no time to
examine the bill as reported by the COM
mittee that he was not prepared to vote
upon it that the Senate could not compel
him to vote upon it at this time, and b,
would not vote upon 1t.
Messrs. Eames and Anthony urged the
postponement of the bill, in order TO give
members an opportunity to examine it.
Pending the discussion, the Senate ad-
journed.
TuuRsnLy Morning. Feb %.
4 Mr.. Dixon, from the Committee ON the
Judiciary, to which was referred the peti-
ton of George Needham and others, Of
Providence, praying for the repeal of so
much OF the existing laws as impose
penalty for the solemnization of marriages
between white and colored persons, made
an untavorablc report thereon. The report
was accepted and petitioners had leave to
Withdraw.
Mr. Johnson, Of Warren, on leave, intro
duced "An act in amendment Of all act en-
titled an act in amendment Of all act to re-
wise and almond the several acts in relation
to the election of civil officers = which was
read tN ice and referred 10 the Committee
on the Judiciary.
Mr.. Dixon, from the Committee on the
Judiciary, to which was referred "An act in
addition to, and in amendment Of. the sew
eral acts in relation to the public schools in
this State" reported it back mot recon-
mend.d.' The bill provides for the pay.
ment OF the school committees in the sever