The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-05-13
WORCESTER:
WEDNESDAY, MAY Is, 1920.

worse system of representation than that
which exists in this state was ever devised.
We may talk of the rotten borough system of
England as much as we please, yet the evils
which flow from that are not greater than those
which arise in practise from our own The
only way by which a fair expression of public
sentiment can be had, in the legislature, is BY
full representation from the various parts of
the State. But, if a full delegation is present,
at makes body so large and unwieldy, as to be
entirely untitled to the transaction of business
with that GOODNESS and decorum, which are in
dspensible to prudent legislation. Who would
look for calm deliberaton in body of ssrem
hundred men, huddled together, with so many
ardent spirits, 1--WE don't mean such as grocers
deal in,) and SO much combustible matter
among them, as will NECESSARILY be found in
body of that size, selected in the mode they
are? 1t is out of the question. 1t cannot be-
Those who have had an opportunity to witness
the exctabiity of any large body, will readily
assent to the correctness of our opinion. On
the other hand if partial representation, only,
some degree avoided yet another is created,
which is entirely repugnant to the spirit of our
republican institutions. The representatives
of a portion, only, of the people, make laws for
the government of the whole, and thus mi
nority may rule the majority, and the latter be
bound by their decision, 1t being left optional
with towns whether to be represented or not,
continual fluctuations in the character of the
House are taking place, One portion of the
population, and, perhaps one portion of interests,
are represented one year, and, probably an
other may be the next, and yet, neither arrive
at such decision on any question which d.
vides public sentiment, as would have been
made, had the people been fairly and equally
represented.
From an examination of the list of represen-
tatives elected, SO. far as they have been pub
lished, we should judge there would be good
portion of talent in the House the present year.
But there are many members, who, we should
suppose, when they find themselves in the hall
of legislation, will wonder how it happened
that they are there. If it should not be any
matter Of surprise to them, we are sure that it
will be to others. Formerly, some knowledge
of public affairs, and an acquaintance with the
rudiments at least, of political economy were
deemed requisite qualifications for a represent
alive; but now, many man finds himself sud-
denly transformed into a legislator, who could
not, for the soul of him, tell how many States
there are in the Union, or how many Counties
in the State; who is ignorant of the plainest
provisions of the Constitution under which he
holds his official station and who, if inquired
Of won Id be as much puzzled to explain even
the meaning of the term political economy"
as he would be if he was required to translate
sentence in Hebrew or Arabic. We believe
most sincerely, that we do not exaggerate; and
we appeal to the knowledge and observation of
our readers, if it is not literally so. And such
we believe will continue to be the case, under
the operation Of our present system. When
the people become satisfied that it can be i'm
proved, we hope they will do it, and they ought
not to make the attempt before.
AGRICULTURAL. The Mddlesex Agricul-
tural Society, in their list of premiums, just
Mulberry trees not less than $50 in number,
which shall be in the best condition in the au-
tumn of 1880, a premium of $25 (; next best
$l5; for the best specimen of silk, not less
than 5 lbs. SO; next, 81; next, 81. They also
offer premiums for various kinds of fruit and
forest trees. The Society in this county, few
years since, offered premiums for plantations Of
White Oak trees, but we have not understood
that they were ever claimed.
At an adjournment of the March me eting on
Monday last, the sum of four thousand dollars
was voted for the support of highways in this
town the current year. One hundred and fifty
dollars, additional, was appropriated to reduce
the hill in front of the Baptist Meeting House
1t was ALSO voted to enclose the common, and
two hundred and fifty dollars was appropriated
for building suitable fence around it.
"REFoRM." If the present management of
the Post Office concerns is fair specimen of
the "reform," which is to BIO inflicted upon us
during the reign of Gen. Jackson, we'll may
we wish the country ga safe deliverance." 1t
is seldom, now, that receive Southern pa
per in due course of the mail. Yesterday the
only New York paper which came to hand was
six days old The day before, we received one
week old, and others of various dates, about
the same age. By yesterdays mail, we should
have had several New Work naners of Mondav
but none came. So that, if they contained any
important news, which we think very probable
our readers must thank their stars and Gen
Jackson, for having to wait another week for it
ALTERED BILLS. Bills of the Leicester