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Domestic News
May 15, 1844
The Rhode Islander
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
The Rhode Island General Assembly's May Session met from May 7-10, electing Senate and House officers, Governor James Fenner, judicial and military officials, passing resolutions on various matters including poor laws, elections, and infrastructure, and handling contested seats.
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From the Providence Journal.
General Assembly.
MAY SESSION.
Tuesday, May 7th.
The Senate met at 11 o'clock. His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor in the chair. George Rivers was elected Clerk of the Senate.
The House of Representatives met at 11 o'clock, Hon. Robert B. Cranston, first representative from Newport, in the chair.
Samuel Ames of Providence was elected Speaker, Alfred Bosworth, Speaker of the former House, having declined a re-election.
Thomas A. Jenckes and Francis E. Hoppin, were elected Clerks.
Messages were exchanged between the two Houses, announcing that they were organized and ready to proceed to business.
The Senate joined the House for prayer.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Smith of Newport.
IN GRAND COMMITTEE.
The two Houses joined in Grand Committee for the purpose of receiving the proxies for Governor and General Officers.
A committee to count the proxies were appointed to report to the Grand Committee.
The Grand Committee adjourned to 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
Afternoon, May 7th.
The Grand Committee met pursuant to adjournment.
The Lieutenant Governor in the chair.
The counting committee made report as follows:
For Governor.
Whole number of votes, 5768
Of which James Fenner received 5560
Scattering. 208
Majority for Fenner, 5352
The other officers were elected by a similar vote.
The report of the Committee was accepted.
The officers were declared duly elected, and the oaths of office were administered, except to his Excellency the Governor, who was not present.
The Grand Committee then rose.
Wednesday, May 8th.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The Standing Rules of the last House of Representatives were adopted.
The Speaker announced the standing committees.
Communications on various subjects were received from the States of Kentucky, Georgia and Maryland, and referred to a select committee, consisting of Updike, Rhodes and Manchester.
Communication from Mississippi, relative to the annexation of Texas, was referred to a select committee, consisting of Peckham, Cranston and Bosworth.
Resolutions respecting French spoliations were received from Massachusetts, and laid on the table.
Resolutions from Massachusetts respecting the North Eastern Boundary, were received and referred to a select committee consisting of Branch, Bullock and Bosworth.
IN GRAND COMMITTEE.—The two Houses joined in Grand Committee, for the purpose of electing the civil and military officers. The following officers were elected:
Justices of the Court of Common Pleas.—
Newport County, Joseph Child, Joseph T. Perry; Providence County, Josiah Westcott, Daniel Howard; Washington County, George T. Cross, Harris Smith; Bristol County. Ephraim Gifford, Stephen Mason; Kent County, postponed to June.
Clerks of the Supreme Court.—Newport, William Gilpin; Providence, Walter Paine. Jr., Washington, Powell Helme; Bristol, William Throop; Kent, Joseph I. Tillinghast.
Clerks of the Court of Common Pleas.—Newport and Providence postponed to June;
Washington, Matthew Waite; Bristol, Messenger T. Bennett; Kent, Jeremiah S. Slocum.
Sheriffs.—Newport, William H. Douglas; Providence, Roger W. Potter; Washington, George W. Cross; Bristol, Stephen Johnston; Kent postponed.
Public Notaries—Newport—Eleazer Trevett, Christopher E. Robbins, George G. King, Daniel C. Decham, Josiah C. Shaw, Benjamin Mumford, William L. Alston, Laban Boreen, William P. Sands, William Gilpin, George C. Bailey, Nathaniel Sweet, William U. Bendersop, William C. Turner, William A. Burt, William P. Sheffield, Oliver Mason.
The election of Justices of the Peace was postponed to June.
Committee on Ferries.—Richard K. Randolph, George Bowen, Benjamin Hall, Elisha Watson, Jr., George Brown, Joseph T. Bailey, Joseph T. Perry.
MILITARY OFFICERS.
Major General—John B. Seldiman.
Brigadier General.—1st Brigade, John A. Hazard
Adjutant General.—Elisha Dyer, Jr.
Quarter Master General.—Samuel Ames.
Commissary General.—William Gilpin.
Paymaster General—Amos D. Smith.
Surgeon General—Richmond Brownell,
Surgeon General of the Military Hospital,—
Rowland R. Hazard.
Division Inspector, Henry B. Anthony.
Brigade Inspectors, postponed to June
Brigade Quartermaster.—First Brigade.
George B. Knowles.
The Grand Committee then rose.
The House adjourned to afternoon at three o'clock.
Afternoon.—The House met at 3 o'clock,
Sundry private petitions were received and referred.
An act explanatory of the militia law was read first and second time and passed. It provides that company trainings may be held at any time in May, instead of a fixed day in that month.
The report of the General Treasurer was presented, read and referred to a select committee, consisting of Cotrell, Lawton and Cranston.
Mr. Updike presented a resolution appointing a committee to inquire into the provisions of the Poor Law, relating to the insane poor.
The resolution passed, and Updike, Branch and King were appointed the committee.
Returns from several Banks were received.
Thursday, May 9.
A resolution was passed directing the distribution of the copies of the Geological Survey of the State.
An act to raise the board of prisoners from one dollar to one dollar and a quarter a week, was passed.
A resolution was passed directing the General Treasurer to demand the militia tax of such towns as had not paid it over according to law, and to report the delinquent towns at the June Session of the General Assembly.
The memorial of William P. Blodget and Olney Hendrick, stating the facts in the case of the Bellingham affair, and the expenses of the trial, was received, and referred to a select committee, consisting of Dixon, Hodges, and C. Allen.
A resolution was passed, declaring that the State had assumed the act for which the memorialists had been prosecuted, and requesting the Governor to communicate the fact to the government of Massachusetts, and to request it to discontinue the proceedings against the memorialists, and to look to the State of Rhode Island for redress.
A communication was received from the sheriff of Newport County, respecting three insane persons confined in Newport jail, and supported by the State. It was referred to a select committee.
Friday, May 10.
House,—The committee appointed upon the contested seat of John C. Ellis, reported against the claims of the sitting member, with a resolution declaring Benjamin R. Hoxie to have been duly elected and entitled to his seat.
Mr. Ellis asked to be heard by counsel, which was granted, Samuel Currey, Esq., appeared as his counsel, and Thomas A. Jenckes, Esq., appeared as counsel for Mr. Hoxie.
The resolution was passed and Mr. Hoxie was admitted to his seat.
A resolution was passed, appointing Edward W. Lawton Commissioner of the Touro Fund, in place of Nicholas Brown, deceased.
A resolution was introduced, providing for the support of pauper lunatics in the State jails, by the towns to which they belong. It was referred to the committee on the subject of the insane poor.
An act was passed allowing the upper cells in the State Prison to be occupied in certain cases, by persons committed to the county jail.
An act in amendment to the election law was passed, to continue in effect until the publication of the Revised Statutes.
Report of the Indian School Instructor was received and read.
A resolution was passed, directing the Sheriffs of the several counties to employ not more than three waiters or pages to attend on the House, whenever the Assembly is in session in their respective counties.
A resolution was passed, appointing a committee to repair the jail in Newport county.
A resolution was passed, allowing pay to the witnesses in the contested West Greenwich election.
The bill granting a charter to the Providence and Worcester Railroad, was returned from the Senate with amendments, which were concurred in, and the bill passed.
IN GRAND COMMITTEE
The two Houses joined in grand committee for the purpose of completing the election.—
The following elections were made:
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, Newport County—Daniel C. Decham.
Brigadier General, Fifth Brigade—Guy M. Fesenden.
Brigade Inspector, Fifth Brigade—Samuel Pearce.
Brigade Quartermaster, Fifth Brigade—Edward Cole.
Public Notary, Newport County—Benjamin Lindsey.
The Grand Committee then rose.
Saturday, May 10.
Senate.—The committee on the contested seat of Thomas T. Hazard, reported against the sitting member, with a resolution declaring Albert M. Waite to have been duly elected and entitled to his seat. Mr. Hazard requested a postponement until June. It was not granted, and the resolution passed, and Mr. Waite was admitted to his seat.
House,—A resolution was passed providing for the publication in the new Digest of the Laws of the Report on the Eastern line of the State, published in the old Digest.
The Quarter Master General and Thomas J. Stead were appointed a committee to sell certain muskets in the Arsenal.
The petition of the Rhode Island Horse Guards, for an appropriation of $320 for the purchase of saddles and bridles, was granted and the appropriation made.
A resolution was passed appointing a committee to contract for the printing of the General Assembly.
A resolution was passed directing the clerks to issue certificates for the pay of the members dating from Tuesday, the day on which the General Assembly met, instead of Monday, the day to which it adjourned
The General Assembly adjourned to meet at Newport, on the fourth Monday of June.
General Assembly.
MAY SESSION.
Tuesday, May 7th.
The Senate met at 11 o'clock. His Honor, the Lieutenant Governor in the chair. George Rivers was elected Clerk of the Senate.
The House of Representatives met at 11 o'clock, Hon. Robert B. Cranston, first representative from Newport, in the chair.
Samuel Ames of Providence was elected Speaker, Alfred Bosworth, Speaker of the former House, having declined a re-election.
Thomas A. Jenckes and Francis E. Hoppin, were elected Clerks.
Messages were exchanged between the two Houses, announcing that they were organized and ready to proceed to business.
The Senate joined the House for prayer.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Smith of Newport.
IN GRAND COMMITTEE.
The two Houses joined in Grand Committee for the purpose of receiving the proxies for Governor and General Officers.
A committee to count the proxies were appointed to report to the Grand Committee.
The Grand Committee adjourned to 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
Afternoon, May 7th.
The Grand Committee met pursuant to adjournment.
The Lieutenant Governor in the chair.
The counting committee made report as follows:
For Governor.
Whole number of votes, 5768
Of which James Fenner received 5560
Scattering. 208
Majority for Fenner, 5352
The other officers were elected by a similar vote.
The report of the Committee was accepted.
The officers were declared duly elected, and the oaths of office were administered, except to his Excellency the Governor, who was not present.
The Grand Committee then rose.
Wednesday, May 8th.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The Standing Rules of the last House of Representatives were adopted.
The Speaker announced the standing committees.
Communications on various subjects were received from the States of Kentucky, Georgia and Maryland, and referred to a select committee, consisting of Updike, Rhodes and Manchester.
Communication from Mississippi, relative to the annexation of Texas, was referred to a select committee, consisting of Peckham, Cranston and Bosworth.
Resolutions respecting French spoliations were received from Massachusetts, and laid on the table.
Resolutions from Massachusetts respecting the North Eastern Boundary, were received and referred to a select committee consisting of Branch, Bullock and Bosworth.
IN GRAND COMMITTEE.—The two Houses joined in Grand Committee, for the purpose of electing the civil and military officers. The following officers were elected:
Justices of the Court of Common Pleas.—
Newport County, Joseph Child, Joseph T. Perry; Providence County, Josiah Westcott, Daniel Howard; Washington County, George T. Cross, Harris Smith; Bristol County. Ephraim Gifford, Stephen Mason; Kent County, postponed to June.
Clerks of the Supreme Court.—Newport, William Gilpin; Providence, Walter Paine. Jr., Washington, Powell Helme; Bristol, William Throop; Kent, Joseph I. Tillinghast.
Clerks of the Court of Common Pleas.—Newport and Providence postponed to June;
Washington, Matthew Waite; Bristol, Messenger T. Bennett; Kent, Jeremiah S. Slocum.
Sheriffs.—Newport, William H. Douglas; Providence, Roger W. Potter; Washington, George W. Cross; Bristol, Stephen Johnston; Kent postponed.
Public Notaries—Newport—Eleazer Trevett, Christopher E. Robbins, George G. King, Daniel C. Decham, Josiah C. Shaw, Benjamin Mumford, William L. Alston, Laban Boreen, William P. Sands, William Gilpin, George C. Bailey, Nathaniel Sweet, William U. Bendersop, William C. Turner, William A. Burt, William P. Sheffield, Oliver Mason.
The election of Justices of the Peace was postponed to June.
Committee on Ferries.—Richard K. Randolph, George Bowen, Benjamin Hall, Elisha Watson, Jr., George Brown, Joseph T. Bailey, Joseph T. Perry.
MILITARY OFFICERS.
Major General—John B. Seldiman.
Brigadier General.—1st Brigade, John A. Hazard
Adjutant General.—Elisha Dyer, Jr.
Quarter Master General.—Samuel Ames.
Commissary General.—William Gilpin.
Paymaster General—Amos D. Smith.
Surgeon General—Richmond Brownell,
Surgeon General of the Military Hospital,—
Rowland R. Hazard.
Division Inspector, Henry B. Anthony.
Brigade Inspectors, postponed to June
Brigade Quartermaster.—First Brigade.
George B. Knowles.
The Grand Committee then rose.
The House adjourned to afternoon at three o'clock.
Afternoon.—The House met at 3 o'clock,
Sundry private petitions were received and referred.
An act explanatory of the militia law was read first and second time and passed. It provides that company trainings may be held at any time in May, instead of a fixed day in that month.
The report of the General Treasurer was presented, read and referred to a select committee, consisting of Cotrell, Lawton and Cranston.
Mr. Updike presented a resolution appointing a committee to inquire into the provisions of the Poor Law, relating to the insane poor.
The resolution passed, and Updike, Branch and King were appointed the committee.
Returns from several Banks were received.
Thursday, May 9.
A resolution was passed directing the distribution of the copies of the Geological Survey of the State.
An act to raise the board of prisoners from one dollar to one dollar and a quarter a week, was passed.
A resolution was passed directing the General Treasurer to demand the militia tax of such towns as had not paid it over according to law, and to report the delinquent towns at the June Session of the General Assembly.
The memorial of William P. Blodget and Olney Hendrick, stating the facts in the case of the Bellingham affair, and the expenses of the trial, was received, and referred to a select committee, consisting of Dixon, Hodges, and C. Allen.
A resolution was passed, declaring that the State had assumed the act for which the memorialists had been prosecuted, and requesting the Governor to communicate the fact to the government of Massachusetts, and to request it to discontinue the proceedings against the memorialists, and to look to the State of Rhode Island for redress.
A communication was received from the sheriff of Newport County, respecting three insane persons confined in Newport jail, and supported by the State. It was referred to a select committee.
Friday, May 10.
House,—The committee appointed upon the contested seat of John C. Ellis, reported against the claims of the sitting member, with a resolution declaring Benjamin R. Hoxie to have been duly elected and entitled to his seat.
Mr. Ellis asked to be heard by counsel, which was granted, Samuel Currey, Esq., appeared as his counsel, and Thomas A. Jenckes, Esq., appeared as counsel for Mr. Hoxie.
The resolution was passed and Mr. Hoxie was admitted to his seat.
A resolution was passed, appointing Edward W. Lawton Commissioner of the Touro Fund, in place of Nicholas Brown, deceased.
A resolution was introduced, providing for the support of pauper lunatics in the State jails, by the towns to which they belong. It was referred to the committee on the subject of the insane poor.
An act was passed allowing the upper cells in the State Prison to be occupied in certain cases, by persons committed to the county jail.
An act in amendment to the election law was passed, to continue in effect until the publication of the Revised Statutes.
Report of the Indian School Instructor was received and read.
A resolution was passed, directing the Sheriffs of the several counties to employ not more than three waiters or pages to attend on the House, whenever the Assembly is in session in their respective counties.
A resolution was passed, appointing a committee to repair the jail in Newport county.
A resolution was passed, allowing pay to the witnesses in the contested West Greenwich election.
The bill granting a charter to the Providence and Worcester Railroad, was returned from the Senate with amendments, which were concurred in, and the bill passed.
IN GRAND COMMITTEE
The two Houses joined in grand committee for the purpose of completing the election.—
The following elections were made:
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, Newport County—Daniel C. Decham.
Brigadier General, Fifth Brigade—Guy M. Fesenden.
Brigade Inspector, Fifth Brigade—Samuel Pearce.
Brigade Quartermaster, Fifth Brigade—Edward Cole.
Public Notary, Newport County—Benjamin Lindsey.
The Grand Committee then rose.
Saturday, May 10.
Senate.—The committee on the contested seat of Thomas T. Hazard, reported against the sitting member, with a resolution declaring Albert M. Waite to have been duly elected and entitled to his seat. Mr. Hazard requested a postponement until June. It was not granted, and the resolution passed, and Mr. Waite was admitted to his seat.
House,—A resolution was passed providing for the publication in the new Digest of the Laws of the Report on the Eastern line of the State, published in the old Digest.
The Quarter Master General and Thomas J. Stead were appointed a committee to sell certain muskets in the Arsenal.
The petition of the Rhode Island Horse Guards, for an appropriation of $320 for the purchase of saddles and bridles, was granted and the appropriation made.
A resolution was passed appointing a committee to contract for the printing of the General Assembly.
A resolution was passed directing the clerks to issue certificates for the pay of the members dating from Tuesday, the day on which the General Assembly met, instead of Monday, the day to which it adjourned
The General Assembly adjourned to meet at Newport, on the fourth Monday of June.
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
Appointment
Military
What keywords are associated?
Rhode Island General Assembly
May Session
Officer Elections
Judicial Appointments
Military Officers
Contested Seats
State Resolutions
What entities or persons were involved?
James Fenner
Samuel Ames
George Rivers
Robert B. Cranston
Thomas A. Jenckes
Francis E. Hoppin
John B. Seldiman
John A. Hazard
Elisha Dyer Jr.
William Gilpin
Amos D. Smith
Richmond Brownell
Rowland R. Hazard
Henry B. Anthony
Benjamin R. Hoxie
Albert M. Waite
Where did it happen?
Rhode Island
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Rhode Island
Event Date
May 7 10
Key Persons
James Fenner
Samuel Ames
George Rivers
Robert B. Cranston
Thomas A. Jenckes
Francis E. Hoppin
John B. Seldiman
John A. Hazard
Elisha Dyer Jr.
William Gilpin
Amos D. Smith
Richmond Brownell
Rowland R. Hazard
Henry B. Anthony
Benjamin R. Hoxie
Albert M. Waite
Outcome
james fenner elected governor with 5560 votes; various judicial, clerical, sheriff, notary, and military officers elected; resolutions passed on poor laws, elections, railroads, and state matters; contested seats resolved in favor of hoxie and waite; assembly adjourned to june.
Event Details
The Rhode Island General Assembly convened in May session, organizing houses, electing officers including Governor James Fenner, appointing judicial and military officials by county and rank, receiving interstate communications, passing acts and resolutions on militia, poor laws, prisons, elections, railroads, and other state affairs, resolving contested elections, and adjourning to June.