The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-08-14

witnessed many earnest debates, and de-
cisions reached with careful effort TO do
the-FigAt - Snce-the- general assembly
first met here In October 1T7e it's records
contain many items of interest, cham-
ingly quaint in language. and yet many
OF them surprisingly modern OF appl-
cation. In i76, Immediately after the
signing OF the Declaration OF Independ-
ence, II was voted here that the thanks
OF this assembly be given TO the Hon.
stephen Hopkins, Esquire, for his good
| services as a delegate 10 the Continental
Congress, and that he be requested to
attend the business or congress as soon
as he can conveniently leave his family
There was no gentle dealing with. nor
palliatng OF, reasonable practices In
those early days.
we find an echo OF the British occu-
patton of Newport when after reciting
the disastrous effects upon the old state
house from Its use as n barrack by the
enemy and that This Assembly nor the
courts OF law cannot be accommodated
therein. unless large sums OF money be
expended In the repair thereof, and stat
Ing further. that the courts have been
sitting In the nearby synagogue, II Is
therefore voted That the Sheriff OF the
County OF Newport under the direction
OF the present deputies OF the said town
cause such a number OF benches to be
commodate the members OF this Assem-
bly,, and that he purchase two tables and
twelve chairs for the use aforesaid.
What a pathetic picture OF the straits to
which our legislators were reduced by
the enemy. Who OF US having attended
q session OF the present Assembly in
Providence. can without wonder and
amase. imagine the members sitting on
benches In some nearby hall, engaged IN
earnest and lengthy debate.
CHURCHES INCORPORATED.
ITO turn now from politics 10 peace.
II was here In South Kingstown In
l7s6 that the Benefcient Congrega-
tional society OF Providence was incor-
porated, a society occupying one OF the
landmarks OF Providence. the old
Round Top church on weybosset
street.
"A little later Il seems curious TO
modern ideas to find the United Con-
sregattonai society OF the town OF Lit
tie Compton. representing that where
as their late pastor, Mr.. Jonathan Ill
lis, has been taken from them by death
and they have unanimously made
choice OF young gentleman to preach
the gospel TO them: that the calamities
OF the times and the want OF n suffi-
Client fund TO support a minister neces-
States them 10 pray this assembly to
grant the mthe benefit Of n lottery for
raising the sum OF 500 pounds OF the
paper money OF this state for the pur-
pose OF building parsonage house In
the said town for the said society
Here, also. a few years later was in
corporated st. Paul's church, In Mar
ragansett In North Kingstown.' Also
the old Providence bank, known by all
residents OF Providence And that in
times OF peace they might prepare for
war. II was at session In this build
In ID,
Governors Independent Company OF
Light Infantry, In the town OF Provi-
dence.' which company. though not OF
| this exact name. has. indeed. had per
petual succession as provided by the
charter.
1T comes with something OF a shock
OF surprise 90 read petition from the
freemen OF the town OF Providence
10 make laws for their own we'll being
and comfort At this time Newport was
enjoying her brief dignity as a city.
and South Kinestown was taxed more
heavily than the town OF Providence
INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
Both your time and patience would
be overtaxed were II attempted even TO
name the interesting Incidents I'm the life
OF this building, and surely n building
like this has life These early years OF
our national history were stirring ones
still this Is not the only period when
South Kingstown has figured loyalty and
Importantly IN the story OF Rhode Island.
Now. however. having lived through l3i
active years, the old court house is given
over 10 peaceful occupation. tended and
cared for by kind hands as It's Just due.
There could hardly be a more itting place
10 hold library for patriotism and edus
cation. which includes history. must ever
be closely allied.
1T is on the strength OF this alliance
that our organization OF the Daughters
of the American Revolution stands ans