The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-01-14


believe that there will not be a sufficient num-
Der of applicants within the description Of the
Act of the Legislature, to supply their places.
If such should be the fact, the propriety of per-
hitting longer continuance at the Asylum, of
such of the pupils as should be selected for their
talents and proficiency, and who by further
opportunities for instruction, might themselves
become qualified to teach, or be otherwise par
ticularly useful, is recommended to your favor
able regard. This humane and charitable in.
diligence, is strongly en!orcedb by the observa-
ton of the Principal, that AZ four years affords
but very imperfect opportunity for the edu-
cation of those who, like the Deaf and Dumb
begin at the very Alphabet of learning, and
have TO be taught Systematically, in the school
room, great deal that other children acquire
by promscuous conversation and intercourse
with society" 1t is to be rccoected that
these bene6ciaries, without instruction. are not
only, from their natural defects, the most help
less and dependent of our fellow beings, but
from their condition in society, and the poverty
of those, who otherwise would be bound TO pro-
vide Tor their support, must be sustained by the
public bounty 1t is cheering to the heart of
the philanthropst, to witness the benign chart
ties of the Government interposed for their
relief to know, that while the ear is dead to
sound, and the tongue lost to speech, the mind
is opened to acquisitions Of knowledge, and life
made blessing by new powers of conlmunica-
ton.
The Acts for the encouragement of Agficul,
ture and Manufactures will expire by their
limitation, on the goth February next The
question of continuing the patronage of the
Government to these important interests,
through the agency IF the agricultural SOcie-
ties, will therefore, at this time, require decs-
ion. Before the next Legislature, the usual
and convenient season for issuing proposals OF
premiums, for the current year, will have pass
ed, and without the aid of Government, it may
be feared, that many of the Societies will be
unable to hold their customary Exhibitions.
To those who have had opportunities to wit
ness the certain and beneficial influence of the
bounty which has been distributed by these In
situations, it would be matter of regret. that
it should now cease. 1t has diffused spirit of
Improvement from the Treasury Office to the
remotest parts of the Commonwealth. No pub
lie bestowment was ever more faithfully appli
ed, and none will be found to have made richer
returns to the source from which it was deriv-
ed As a measure of political economy it has
yielded, annually, an hundred fold its amount
in the increase of taxable capital. A compare
tive view of the state of Agriculture in Massa-
chusetts, at the time of the passage of the orig
nal Act for its encouragement, and the pres
emit, or the relative valuation of Agricultural
products to other property, then and now, will
not fail to show the impulse which has been
given to this vital interest of the country. The
direct countenance of the Legislature TO the
occupations of h"shandrv has had the effect to
elevate the condition OF the practical Farmer.
His interests have been brought more distinctly
into view. He has found higher rewards in
his employment, and honor In the success OF
his labors Experience. too. has shown, that
improved cultivation, rather than extent of ter
ritory. will best sustain increased population
and the promotion of domestic industry add
most to the strength, safety, and happiness OF
the people.
If the Legislature shall judge proper to renew
the appropriation, some modification, in the
manner ofits distribution, is suggested Since
the Incorporation of the New England Society
for the promotion of Manufactures and the Me.
chanic Arts, these interests are brought more
especially within the notice of that Institution
and the encouragement which is intended fol
| them, can there be directed to wider scope
Tor competition, and with better discrimination
IN the results of SKILL and of useful invention
| The metropolis, which is the place of mark t
tor the productions of the mandatory and the
work shop, is the convenient place also, fo
their examination for premium, and it ha.
rarely been found, that they are exhibited ir
variety or quantity, elsewhere The propor
ton of bounty, which shall be due to Agricul
tnre and the Household, will continue to be
distributed. by the County Societies, with most
satisfaction
! The Constitution and the Laws impose hirl
and responsible duties upon certain Municipa
and Executive officers in relation to the return.
of Elections. 1t has been noticed with concern
that there Is great remissness in the discharge
of these obligations. The returns from the
/ Congressional Districts have often been iG2om
orI H. l.. III
the omission of seasonabc returns from numer
Gus towns, the votes of hundreds of citizen.
were lost, on one of the most interesting anc
deeply exciting questions of political moment
Indeed the results of Elections are put AT haznrc
! by the neglecs of those whose duty it is made
to transmit the returns. A greater offence TO the
rights and privileges of Freemen. can hardly be
committed. 1t may defeat an election actually
mad" by majority of the votes Of the people
and create the occasion and trouble Of another
canvass; or it may determine choice upon a
minority of the votes which are cast, and give
offices to those who are not the Representa-
tives OF the will of their constituents The con
sequences are a direct violation, in it's very
worst form, Of the security Of the right of suf
trage. 1t IS in vain, that the ballot is given, il
1t remains untold in the count individuals
may find redress for a wrongful rejection o.
their votes, even from honest error in the pre-
siding officers at elections, but il is of but little
avail, if the returns of whole communities are
lost. with scarce an inquiry. and without repre-
hcnsion. In relation to the past have moth
ing to propose. but beg leave to suhSit tc
your consideration, that it should be made the
duty of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
at the session next after the,return dav of an
Election. to report the names of the Towns
from which returns were not received or were
nnseasonabIy received, with a note of the time
and manner of the reception, that every neglect
may be made known TO the Legislature, and In
their discretion. be referred TO the prosecuting
officers of the Government. for animadversior
and correction by the courts Of law.
For the great length of this communication
| trust, an apology may be found in the impor
lance of the topics to which it relates What