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

tional government, IN Its present FORM, anu
with adequate powers, should be established
and it is not too much to pronounce, that when /
ever the existence of these powers shall sue
cessfully be denied or their discreet exercise I
efeotually resisted, all the ends for which. they
were granted union, Justice, domestic tranqullll-
ty, the general welfare, and the blessings OF
liberty, will be endangered. Nor let this be re-
garded as any admission that latitudinarlan
construction may be given to the constitution.
On the contrary, the political axiom, that the
authority which is not delegated TO the general
government is reserved to the states, cannot
too scrupulously be regarded. The states, IN
pendently of each other and of the Union, pos
sess every attribute of original sovereignty with
which they have not voluntarily parted ana
neither their rights of jurisdiction, more than
the extent of their territory, can be abridged,
within the utmost of their present limits, but by
their further consent.
A reference to the General Government as
socates with it recognition of the issue OF
the late Presidential election. Massachusetts,
on this occasion, has given an opposing vote TO
the successful candidate. In this, she has but
exercised the right of preference for states
man of known ability, profound learning. great
! experience, and long and approved trust IN the
civil departments of government, over fellow
citizen, hitherto more eminent in other distlnc-
! tions. A Republican people, having cast their
/ ballots with the independence becoming Tree
men, will be just to the principles OF their gov
eminent, in yielding a respectful submission 10
the constitutional result. Although they may
( have withheld expressions of confidence in the
qualifications of the candidate, thew will Judge
with unprecedented minds, the conduct OF The
officer. The succeeding administration will
be looked TO, with that Jealous vigilance, which
! is induced by sn!icitous concern for the char
acter of our Institutions fit shall respect the
! t., 6 IL I'D hu no
dictates of pure and elevated patriotism, pro-
mote with faithfulnoss and impartiality the IN
/ terests of the whole people, preserve domestic
tranquility, and maintain the peace and honor
of the nation. 1t wW find here support; as
/ Efficient and sincere, as though it had been
( pledged to the success of the election. We
owe this to our country, well as to him. who,
I by the suffrages Of his fellow citizens, has the
high honor of being called to preside over their
public affairs.
! Several subjects of peculiar concern to the
interests of the Commonwealth on which had
the honor to offer my sentiments to your con-
I slderatiOns, at the commencement OF the potl-
/ cal year, remain in the custody of the LegIsla-
/ ture, upon the Reports of Committees, and by
orders of reference, to be acted upon, at the
present session. OF these the most urgent. is
I that, which relates to tho Revenue. and hope
\ to be excused in again earnestly pressing it up
! WI lpuI dlteHtHlu 0lllGe tliS ulliSSiuH vi wv
annual grant of State Tax, the receipts in the
/ Treasury have been constantly insufficient TO
meet the ordinary expenses Of Government.
! The deficiency of the year 1927, exceeded the
/ sum of sixty three thousand dollars, and nearly
exhausted the remaining balance of former
years The accounts of the Treasurer, for the
past year. made up TO the first instant state the
receipts, exclusive of money obtained upon
loans, at two hundred forty Thousand twenty
dnllare and fhirf rs enfs and tho
ditures at three hundred seven thousand seven
! hundred sixty-nine dollars and three cents,
making excess of the latter over the former
fsixty-seventhousand,s seven hundred forty two
dollars, seventy-one cents, which. after credit
| ing the balance of the last preceding account,
/ produces an actual debt of large amount,
against the Commonwealth. be provided co.
and paid hereafter.
| Il is obvious that without the interpositinn
of the Legislature, which can alone authorize
competent supplies from the abundant resources
of the State, this debt must be rapidly and fear
! fully augmenting To the deficiency of each
current year will be added that of the preced-
| ing, with accruing interest, until burden VIII
be found to exist, as difficult to be removed, as
! it was once unnecessary to be created. Against
permitting this state of things, the experience
of other times conveys the most impressive ad
monitions. 1t is no less repugnant to the senti-
ments of Republican People, than it is un-
favorable to the advancement of the interests Of
the State, that the adequate contributions
should be withheld from the support of Govern
ment. At present, the Treasury depends, al
most exclusively upon the Bank taxes and auc-
ton duties. while every other object and inter-
est are exempt from assessment. Happily the
condition of the Commonwealth does not de-
! mand this immunity Her riches and her re-
sources, the business and the habits of the peo-
pie, afford ample means for the supply of every
occasion, whether of present need, or for pur-
poses of future improvement A moderate
( State Tax, ofjust and equal apportonment, has
never been objected to, in principle, as meas
ure of Revenue; and resort to it seems now to
have become indispensably necessary, TO replen-
lsh an exh u,s.ed Treasury, and provide against
J future deficiency.
! In reference to permanent relief of the Trea-
sury, to some extent, the propriety of taxing
I the business in the Probate Courts. towards .he
expense of that part of the administration of
the law, is suggested In every other depart
ment of Jurisprudence, the charges are. at least
partially betrayed, in the shape Of fees, for the
entry of actions, trials, &c. while here, large
estates are settled, the rights Of Creditors Sc
cured, distributions made among heirs, and
I many of the most difficult and complicated
concerns of property and of parties adjusted,
altogether at the public cost. With compass
sonate regard to the condition of the destitute
widow, and Of those who are left with little in
heritance, it is yet believed, that rate Of fees
might be established, which. in application to
Estates of magnitude, would be Just in them
selves, as an equivalent for the services render
eddy the officers Of Government, and, in their
aggregate amount, would satisfy no inconsider-
able proportion Of the expense of this Tribunal
of Justice.
|. feel it my duty to transmit for your consid-
Grafton: copies of all the Reports, which have
been made to the Executive, by the officers of
the State Prison, during the last year. II is
with deep regret, that find occasion to inform
you That the Institution is not yet placed in a
situation to afford satisfaction. although there
is reason TO believe that the system Of govern
ment which is contemplated to be introduced