The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-05-30

seven INSTEAD Of nine) Counsellors, to
be chosen from the people at large
This amendment was intended to rem
edy the most paramount inconvenience
which occasioned the call Of the Con-
vention. BY rejecting it by majority
of nearly eleven Thousand votes, the
people must have considered the arti-
Gle as bad in itself; or that the Consti-
tuition can be well administered under
+ the organization which has existed ever
since the separation of Maine.
Ninth. The 9th Amendment prupos-
ed, that when an address Is moved a
gaipst a judicial officer for his removal,
the said officer shall be previously
heard in his defence and, further, that
neither the Goyernour nor the General
Court should hereafter be authorized to
propose questions to the Supreme Ju-
dicial Court, and require their opinion
thereon. This amendment was very
fully and dispassionately debated in the
Convention, and considered as an act
of justice due to the independence of
the Judiciary, as a coordinate branch
of the government. But the people
have thought otherwise.
Ieatk- The 10th Amendment mere
ly confirmed the Charter privileges
Of Harvard University; with a further
provision, that in the election of Min
listers of Churches to be the Members
Of the Board of Overseers, they should
not be confined to Ministers Of any par
ticular denomination.
AMENDMENTS RATIFIED.
ART. iii. If any Bill or Resolve shalr be
objected to, and not approved by the Cover
nour and if the General Court shall adjourn
within five days after the same shall have been
laid before the Governour, for his appreciation,
and thereby prevent his returning it with his
objections, as provided by the Constitution >
such Bill, OF Resolve, shall not become law.
nor have force as such.
ART. w. The General Court shall have
full power and authority to erect and consti-
trate municipal OF city governments, in any
corporate town or towns in this Common
wealth, and to grant to the inhabitants there
of such powers, privileges and immunities,
not repugnant to the Constitution, as the
General Court shall deem necessary or expe-
dent, for the regulation and government
thereof; and to prescribe the manner of CALI
ing and holding publiok meetings of the in
habitants, in Wards, or otherwise, for the
election of officers underline Constitution, and
the manner of returning the votes given at
such meetings. Provided, that no such gov
eminent shall be erected or constituted in any
town not containing twelve thousand inhabit--
ants; nor unless it is with the consent, and
on application, of a majority of the inhabit-
ants OF such town, present nd'voting there
on, pursuant to vote, at meeting duly
warned and holden for that purpose. And
provided, also, that all bylaws, made by
such municipal or city government, shall be
subject, at all times, to be annulled by the
General Court.
ART. vi. Every male citizen, of twenty.
one years of age and upwards, excepting
paupers and persons under guardianship who
shall have resided within the Commonwealth
one year, and within the town or district in
which he may claim right to vote, six calen-
dar months, next preceding any election of
GOVERNOR, Lieutenant-G overnour, Senators
or Representatives, and who shall have paid
by himself or his parent, master or guardian,
any state or county tax, which shall, within
two years next preceding sush election, have
been assessed upon him in any town or district
of this Commonwealth and, also, everycit-
izen who shall be by law exempted from tax
alton, and who shall be in all other respects
qualified as above mentioned. shall have a
right to vote in such election of Governour,
overnour, Senators and Repre-
sentatives and no other person shall be en-
titled to vote in such elections.
ART. VII Notaries Publick, shall be, APP
pointed by the Governour in the same man
ner as judicial officers are appointed, and shall
hold their offices during seven years, unless
sooner removed by the GOVERNOR, with the
consent, of. the Council upon the address of
both Houses of the Legislature.
In case the Office of Secretary or Treasurer
of the Commonwealth shall become vacant,
from any cause during. the recess of the Gen
eral Court, the Govemour, with the advice
and consent of the Council, shall nominate
and appoint, under such regulations as may
be prescribed by law, competent and suita-
bic person to such vacant Office, who shall
hold the same, until successor shall be APP
pointed by the General Court.
Whenever the exigencies of the Common
wealth shall require the appointment of
Commissary-G General, he shall be nominated,
appointed and commissioned in such manner
as the Legislature may by law prescribe.
All officers commissioned to command in
the militia, may be- removed from office in
such manner as the Legislature may by law
prescribe.
ART. VIII. In the elections Of captains
and subalterns of the militia, all the members
Of their respective companies, as well those