Republican Herald

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Friday, February 5, 1836, 10 o'clock, A. M.

The petition of Mount Hope Bank for revival of charter, was re-committed—Also, petition of George W. Tyler, for silk Company. An act was presented to regulate process against banks, to do away bank process, so called, and to place banks on the same footing with other creditors, relative to collection of debts. Read once.

The Report of the Finance Committee was presented by the Chairman and read. The Committee stated that the revenue of The State was abundantly sufficient for all the general purposes of government, but that it would be necessary to raise an additional sum, say $40,000 during the two next years to meet the contract for building State Prison. They recommended to meet this demand, a direct tax on real and personal estate, of $10,000—to raise the tax on bank capital, from 1/8 to 1/4 per cent. and make up the deficiency by a tax of 4 1/2 per cent. on the dividends of Insurance, and incorporated Steamboat Companies.

The Committee also recommended that the bonus on the increase of stock in banks already incorporated, be reduced to 1 1/2 per cent in- stead of 2 1/2, the present rate, and that the bonus on new banks remain at 1 1/2 per cent. Mr. Randolph moved to lay the Report on the table for consideration.

Mr. G. Spencer was opposed to this course.— He wished for the consideration of this report before the bank question should come up.

After some further discussion, Mr. Titus moved to strike out the direct tax, and adopt the Report.

Mr. Simmons was somewhat surprised to hear the gentleman from Scituate [Titus] make the proposition, when he felt quite certain that gentleman had told him in conversation, that his constituents would think themselves slighted if they were relieved from a land tax to build a State Prison. seeing they had voted to be taxed.

Mr. Titus thought the gentleman [Simmons] must have misunderstood his expression. He had certainly said his constituents were willing to be taxed for the purpose of erecting a State Prison, but thought they would rather be relieved from the necessity of it.

[Sketches of the debate hereafter]

The direct tax was finally stricken out, as was also the tax on Steamboat dividends. The tax on bank capital was raised from 1/8 per cent to 5/16 per cent., the tax of 4 1/2 per cent on Insurance dividends, was retained, the bonus reduced, as recommended by the Committee, and the resolution passed. Adjourned.

3 o'clock. P.M.

Mr. Atwell called for the election law, in hands of the Committee,—Amendments to the election, in the hands of the same Committee, presented by Mr. Curtis, were also called for at the same time.

Mr. Tillinghast was opposed to acting on the subject at this time, and inquired if gentlemen were determined to pass over the bank charters now before the House?

Mr. Atwell said the election law was of great importance, and ought to be acted on. If the Assembly were to rise upon to-morrow [Saturday] there was no time to spare to act on private petitions. Several public measures lay on the Speaker's table. and as yet, nothing of much public interest had been done. He went on to state, that the House continued to act on private business, the members on being questioned by their constituents, "as to what they had done," would be compelled to answer; nothing in which the public had much interest. He insisted therefore, that the election law should be read. and acted on.

The proposed law was then read once. and laid on the table by consent.

The petition of James Phalen & Co. relative to Secretary's fees, was read, and laid on the table. We erroneously stated, on Saturday, that this petition was for a lottery grant.]

Petition of Stephen H. Smith and others, for a Turnpike: Referred, with an order of notice.

Petition of Providence Steamboat Co. for a charter—Referred.

The order of the day was called for, and the petition of Thomas Bush and others. for a charter for the Traders' bank. Newport, was taken up. The question, on motion of Mr. Brayton, was taken by yeas and nays; and the House refused to grant the prayer of the petition—yeas, 24 nays, 37.

The petition of Erastus F. Knowlton & others for the charter for the Traders' bank, Providence, came up next in order, and the prayer thereof was rejected—Yea 22. Nays, 39.

The petition of John H. Clark and Charles Potter for the charter for Atlantic Bank was next taken up. This is the institution proposed to be founded on the hypothecation of real estate, with a capital of $1,000,000, with the right to increase it to $2,000,000. Mr. Clark, one of the petitioners explained the provisions of the charter applied for, set forth the public benefits anticipated. The House refused to grant the charter—Yea 12—Nays 47.

On motion of Mr. Titus, all other applicants for bank charters had leave to withdraw their petitions.

The election law proposed amendments, were then called up, referred to a Special Committee consisting of Messrs. Atwell Curtis and B. Hazard, and made the order of the day for to-morrow, [Saturday.]

An act passed relative to Engine men in the town of Newport. One or two others were called up and acted on, and the House adjourned to 10 a'clock, A. M. to-morrow, [Saturday-]

Saturday. FEB. 6, 1836.—10 o'clock, A. M.

The House met pursuant to adjournment.

Mr. Cross, of Westerly. obtained leave of absence for the remainder of the Session.

Mr. Atwell reported on the subject of amendments to the election law. He accompanied his report with some verbal remarks, by way of illustration.

The following acts passed by the House, came, down from the Senate with votes of concurrence.

An act to repeal the law providing that waste gates Water Mills shall be kept open from May to December.

An act to empower courts to appoint auditors on partnership accounts.

An act in amendment to an act for devising estates.

An act to continue in force an act empowering the School Committee in the town of Richmond to build School Houses.

An act to incorporate the Manufacturers Mutual Fire Insurance Company

An act to revive the charter of the Savings Institution in the village of Pawtucket, North Providence.

An act making an appropriation for repairs on Pawcatuck Bridge.

Resolutions respecting the distribution of the proceeds of the sales of public lands in the United States.

An act to deprive persons imprisoned for breach of town or city ordinances of the benefit poor debtors' oath On the question of acting on the election law, Mr. Atwell expressed his willingness to lay it on the table for to-day. provided the House would agree to the conclusion to sit next week. Some discussion on the subject ensued, and the Clerk was requested to state to the House, how long he supposed it would require to act on the public business now on the
table. He replied that he supposed it might be accomplished in three days.

After considerable debate, the House voted that, when they adjourn, to-day, they adjourn to Monday next, at 3 o'clock P. M. and the election law was made the order of the day for that day.

An act passed to incorporate the City Fountain Company. Also, an act to incorporate the Steam Cotton Manufacturing Company, Providence.

The Petition of Pawtucket and Providence East Turnpike Company, for Rail Road, was recommitted to Mess. Dorr, Atwell, and Field -

On this subject, an interesting debate occurred which we shall publish in due course.

An act passed to incorporate the City Guards.

This is a company of Cavalry composed of the Truckmen, of Providence. Their charter provides that they shall turn out when occasion may require, under the orders of the City Mayor, for the preservation of public order.

Adjourned to Monday, Feb. 8, at 3 o'clock, P. M.

Monday, February 8, 3 o'clock, P. M.

Owing to the inclemency of the weather, and the extreme badness of the travelling, the House did not form a quorum. There were but eighteen members in attendance, including the Speaker, as reported by the Clerk on the call of the roll, and the House adjourned to 10 o'clock to-morrow (Tuesday) morning.

Tuesday, February 9, 1836 - 10 o'clock A. M.

On the call of the House, the Clerk reported thirty-two members in their seats. There wanting five to make up a quorum, adjourned to 3 o'clock, P. M.

3 o'clock, P. M.

The House formed a quorum. The time during the afternoon, was appropriated to action on private petitions, and other business of a private character. Several members not in their seats -- probably detained at home in consequence of the bad state of the roads.