Herald Of The Times

R. I. LEGISLATURE,

The following summary of the proceedings of the General Assembly during the two last days of the session, we extract from the Providence Journal.

Saturday Morning.—Messrs. Daniel Greene and John D. Greene, were appointed a committee to make repairs on the State House, in East-Greenwich, not to exceed one hundred dollars.

The committee to whom was referred the petition of Alfred Niger, et al., persons of color, praying to be exempt from taxation, in consequence of their not being admitted to equal rights with other citizens, reported against granting the prayer of the petition—report received.

The committee reported a bill exempting colored persons from taxation. Mr. Potter moved the indefinite postponement of the bill. He said, if the bill should pass, there would arise as much controversy in the state between the different degrees of color, as there was in the Circuit Court, about half and whole blood. The motion was carried without division.

The committee appointed at the last session, on the subject of the State Arsenal, reported verbally, that they had performed their duty, and found the arms and equipments in excellent order. The building was on league land high and nearly filled with arms, &c. It was in the opinion of the committee, not expedient to sell the arms; but they recommended the appointment of another committee, to report to the House, on what terms a suitable lot could be procured. The committee was re-appointed according to the recommendation of the committee.

Petition of Providence Association of Mechanics and Manufacturers, praying for a lien on buildings, referred to a committee. The committee report against granting petition. Petitioners had leave to withdraw their petition.

The committee on the subject of the States' claim against the United States, asked to be discharged—granted.

A resolution for inquiry into the expediency of extending the jail limits in the county of Providence, was referred to Pratt and Arnold.

A bill exempting females from arrests and imprisonment for debt, was read. Mr. Potter thought the bill ought to pass. Females took no part in making laws and ought not to be subjected to their severity in the case of debt. Imprisonment on them was a great hardship; they were thrown into a common jail, with dissolute, profligate men. He hoped the bill would pass. On motion of Mr. Allen the bill was laid on the table.

The committee on the petition of James Stevens, report in favor of granting the petition, and he was allowed until the first day of July to deposit his maps of the State with the Secretary.

The committee on Corporations report a charter for the Ponaganset River Bank.

Saturday Afternoon.—The Committee appointed on the subject of stone lime in casks, reported by bill designating the shape and size of the cask, which was read and passed.

The charter of the Ponaganset River Bank was postponed. Mr. Arnold moved that when the House adjourned, it should adjourn until Monday morning, 9 o'clock. Mr. Bull thought it was possible to finish the business that day, by setting late in the evening, or on Sunday morning. Mr. Potter said there were on the table several public acts that required consideration, and if they passed the House, it would be necessary for the Senate also to consider them, which could not be done, for want of time. Mr. Bull feared the expense the adjournment would put the State to. The motion was carried on a division of the House.

The petition of J. W. Aborn et al. relative to the survey and admeasurement of lumber, which had been referred to a committee, together with the remonstrance of A. Guerney et al. was called up, and the bill accompanying the same, passed, as recommended by the committee. The bill provides for the appointment, by the Town Council of Providence, of a Surveyor General, who is authorised to appoint deputies to survey and mark in legible and durable figures, board measure, all lumber imported into said town, at the expense of the purchaser.

The bill providing for the filling of vacancies in case of the non-election, death or resignation of General Officers, was called up, by Mr. Bull. Mr. Allen moved that the consideration be postponed till Monday. He thought the State would not sanction the provisions of the act. He was opposed to giving the power of electing a Governor or Senator to the House of Representatives; it was an objectionable feature in the constitution of the United States, the allowing, in any event, the House of Representatives to appoint a President, and he considered the provisions of the present bill similar to that provision. In case of no choice, he was decidedly of opinion, that the election ought to go back to the people. Mr. Bull was in favor of the provision, and thought, by passing it at this time, considerable embarrassment might be saved. According to the construction of some highly respectable men, if the people should fail to elect a Governor, Lieut. Governor and Senate, the Government would be at an end, and all legislation be suspended until the people should re-organize the Government. He feared no difficulty at the approaching Spring election, for he believed the people would elect his [the Jackson] proxy without any trouble. The motion for postponement was withdrawn, and the bill committed to the Attorney General for revision.

The committee on the subject of the Insolvent laws of this State, reported a bill repealing all Insolvent acts, and giving to the Legislature exclusive jurisdiction over the petitions now pending.—The House adjourned to Monday morning.

Monday morning.—The Attorney General reported a bill on the subject of election of General Officers, with amendments corresponding with the direction of the House.

A discussion arose on the allowing an account against the State, in favor of the Jailor of Newport, for boarding Charles Sheldon, who was accused of robbing the Merchants bank in that town.

A bill regulating the rates of ferriage over Bristol and other Ferries, was continued to the next session.

The Senate joined the House on the trial of the docket of petitions, and when the same was concluded, the House adjourned to 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

Monday Afternoon.—The communications from his Excellency, the Governor, covering communications from the States of Mississippi and Vermont, and the memorial of the surviving officers & soldiers of the Revolution was read and referred to Messrs. Hazard, Arnold and Bull.

Several subjects of a private nature, were discussed and referred to committees.

The principal part of the afternoon was spent in the discussion of the bill, to repeal the insolvent law.

Tuesday forenoon.—The bill providing for the election of General Officers, by the House of Representatives, was referred to Messrs. Simmons, Potter and Hazard.

The bill repealing the Insolvent Act, as reported by the committee, passed the House. The Senate concurred with an amendment, to which the House non concurred. A committee of conference was appointed, but neither Senate nor House would give way, and the bill was defeated. Subsequently a new bill was reported, repealing all our insolvent laws, and taking jurisdiction from the Supreme Court from all petitions now pending, which passed the House, and was concurred in by the Senate.

Mr. Holden from the committee on the Anti-Masonic Memorial, asked to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject. The House would not discharge him, but continued the whole subject and the committee to the next session.

The Legislature adjourned at 12 o'clock, to meet at Newport the first Wednesday in May, according to law.