710 



KHODE ISLAND. 



future, of ministers who will not subscribe to 

 the Confession of Faith. 



The following resolution on the separation 

 'of Church and state was agreed to : 



The synod, considering that the reciprocal inde- 

 pendence of the Churches and of the state ought to 

 be introduced into modern public law ; considering 

 that the Reformed Church of France is disposed, for 

 its part, to accept with confidence its separation from 

 the state, when the Government shall deem it neces- 

 sary for all religious bodies, the synod deems it well 

 to urge the Church to prepare for this separation. 



The synodal presbyterian form of govern- 

 ment was decided upon. The pastors are to 

 be nominated by a presbyterial council. The 

 consistory is to have the right of veto. When 

 this right is exercised, the case may be referred 

 to the Provincial Synod, and to the General 

 Synod as the highest authority. A resolution 

 prescribing the ability to read and write as an 

 essential qualification for votes after the 1st 

 of January, 1875, was adopted unanimously. 



The synod was visited by representatives of 

 the Presbyterian Church in the United States 

 of America, who congratulated it on its re- 

 suming its meetings under a liberal govern- 

 ment. It is represented that the Unitarian 

 party is stronger in the churches than it ap- 

 peared in the, synod. 



RHODE ISLAND. After an unprecedent- 

 edly long session of seventeen weeks, the 

 General Assembly holding its session in Prov- 

 idence adjourned, without having passed any 

 measures of general public interest. The re- 

 vision of the statutes was completed, and two 

 congressional districts of the State were re- 

 formed. A new apportionment of the House 

 of Representatives was also made. The num- 

 ber of members will be 72, as heretofore ; but 

 there will be one representative for every 

 2,794 inhabitants, instead of 1,875. Each town 

 shall be entitled to at least one representative, 

 and no town will be entitled to more than 

 twelve. 



The subject of politics attracted more than 

 usual attention during the year, owing to the 

 interest felt in the coming presidential canvass, 

 and to the singular attitude of parties in rela- 

 tion thereto. The Republican State Conven- 

 tion assembled in Providence, March 14th, 

 with General Burnside as president, and chose 

 a State ticket and delegates to the National 

 Republican Convention. The State ticket 

 consisted of Seth Padelford, of Providence, for 

 Governor ; Pardon W. Stevens, of Newport, for 

 Lieutenant-Governor ; Joshua M. Addeman, of 

 Providence, for Secretary of State ; Willard 

 Sayles, of Providence, for Attorney-General; 

 and Samuel Clark, of Lincoln, for General 

 Treasurer. The resolutions adopted were as 

 follows : 



Whereas, The annual convention of the National 

 Union Republican party of Rhode Island is now in 

 session for the purpose of nominating to the people 

 of the State suitable candidates for their support for 

 general affairs, and for the selection of delegates to 

 the National Convention of the party, to be holden 

 in Philadelphia in June next, to nominate candidates 



for the offices of President and. Vice-President of 

 the United States for the next presidential term it 

 is fitting now, before we proceed further with the 

 work of the convention, that we should give expres- 

 sion to our views of the principles and policy of the 

 party which we represent : it is, therefore 



Resolved, That the National Union Republican par- 

 ty of Rhode Island adheres to and here reaffirms the 

 principles of the party announced at the various na- 

 tional conventions thereof, and illustrated by the glo- 

 rious and patriotic records of the Administrations of 

 Presidents Lincoln and Grant. 



Resolved, That we highly appreciate the distin- 

 guished services of the eminent soldier, the upright 

 and practical civilian, who is now the Chief Mais- 

 trate of this great republic, and that we earnestly 

 favor his renomination and reelection to the office of 

 President of the United States. 



Resolved, That in Schuyler Colfax we recognize an 

 experienced statesman, a fit presiding officer of the 

 Senate of the United States, and an upright and in- 

 telligent magistrate, and that we cordially favor his 

 renomination and reelection to the office of Vice- 

 President of the United States. 



Resolved, That we especially commend the eiforts 

 of President Grant to secure integrity and economy 

 in the administration of the Government, to 'reduce 

 the burdens of taxation imposed upon the industries 

 of the country by the late war, and to honorably dis- 

 charge the debt which was incurred in the salvation 

 of the nation. 



On the 20th of March the Democratic Con- 

 vention was held in Providence. Candidates 

 for State offices were nominated, and delegates 

 were elected to the National Democratic Con- 

 vention ; but the subject of resolutions was 

 referred to the State Central Committee. The 

 election was held April 3d, and resulted in the 

 success of the Republican ticket, except the 

 Lieutenant-Governor, Charles R. Cutler, the 

 Democratic candidate, having been elected to 

 that office. The majorities of the different 

 candidates elected varied greatly, on account 

 of local issues. The highest majority on the 

 Republican ticket was 3,869 ; that of Governor 

 Padelford was 1,075. 



The General Assembly convened at New- 

 port on the 28th of May, and, after organizing 

 the State government for the ensuing year, ad- 

 journed on the 31st to the second Monday of 

 January. The new Legislature consists of 56 

 Republicans in the House and 25 in the Senate, 

 and 16 Democrats in the House and 11 in the 

 Senate. 



On the 8th of October the Democratic party 

 and the Liberal Republican party each held a. 

 convention in Providence. The two parties 

 united upon an electoral ticket. The following 

 resolutions were adopted by the Democratic 

 convention : 



Resolved, That we, the representatives of the Dem- 

 ocratic party of Rhode Island, in convention assem- 

 bled, do approve, ratify, and adopt the platform and 

 resolutions of the Democratic Convention held at 

 Baltimore, and the Liberal Republican Convention 

 at Cincinnati. 



Resolved^ That we will heartily support the candi- 

 dates nominated at these conventions, and will unite 

 with all persons who sympathize with us in our ef- 

 forts to establish a permanent reform, and the estab- 

 lishment of peace and good-will toward the peoplo 

 of all sections of the country. 



At the election, the whole number of votes 



