Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1850-12-30
CONVENTION AT FITCHBURG.
Meeting of Delegates to consider the expedi-
ency OF Dividing Worcester County.
TcoNcLUDEp.1

floor and said that he was fully aware of the many
difficulties attendant upon discussion Of this mpor-
tant question: and deciding it Alright. He thanked
God for Que, that there was so conservative spirit
existing as had been manifested thus far in the Con-
venton One has one reason for opposition, and
another another. One examines it with reference as
to hsw it will effect Rail Road, and another still
with reference to the expense. Gentlemen had said
that other divisions of the County would follow, if
this one was made wel--if Justice would be cheap
er, let il be done once, twice, thrice. But let US
look at the map. If these towns are cut off as is
proposed, Worcester will still be almost exactly in
the centre ofthe County that remains. He thought
it very probable that majority of the Convention
would vote against the Resolves as reported by the
Committee, for there clngs about the hearts of all
love for old associations, and long established
ties, but the advantages the whole of this commu
nifty of this proposed construction Of new County
were obvious that if not this year or the next it
must ere long succeed.
If this tier of towns is set off we have compact
County, where every residing within its limits,
may leave home in the morning. transact his business
at the shire town, and be at home the same evening.
Then there were other considerations of business
nature The railroads and other improvements had
produced different state of things in this part of
the County, from that which had formerly existed
The population had increased and would continue to
increase, and what are we to do, unless we COM
mence at once, the reformation Of these difficulties
under which we now suffer. Why, it had cost man
5000 to clear his character from the mputation Of
stealing one or two eggs, when if the County seat
had been here, he could have cleared his character
for half the money.
Mr.. Everett, of Princeton, said he was not reg
ularly appointed delegate; but he knew many in
Princeton in favor Of the change 1t had seemed
to him for many years, that the County must be d.
yded If the vote was taken now, however he
thought the majority of the towns would vote against
it. He did not think the expense Of coming to Fitch
burg to do County business would be greater than
that Of coming to Worcester, as it was two miles
nearer.
Geo. Swan, ESQ.,, of Hubbardston, said that the
subject had not excited any great interest among the
people of that town. Gentlemen had said that by
the contemplated change, should get rid of paying
part Of the County debt He did not think there
was good foundation for such an assumption. The
Legislature had not the power to pass law absov-
ing parties from the obligations of pre-existing
tracts, and he believed, that legally the seeding
towns would be obliged to pay their proportion Of
County debt. He alluded to the division of old
Hampshire, and the decision Of the courts, which
provided for the equitable disbursement among the
counties, Of the surplus funds at that time in the
treasury of the old County of Hampshire Now il
we have the consent of old Worcester to this division
the court in this case might decide that we should be
relieved from the debt but gentlemen must bear in
mind that there was vast difference between divi-
ding surplus fund in the treasury, and the obga-
tons Of an old debt. He did not think that there
should be any haste about the matter, there were
many other important questions and interests involv-
ed which he had no time to examine, and he hoped
that the Convention would take no hasty action.
Hon. John Reed of Princeton, remarked in reply
to Mr.. Everett, Of the same town, and denied that
there was any sympathy there with this movement
to dismember the County 1t had been asserted
that the people there would, under the change pro-
posed, find market for their merchandise, and the
products oftheir FARMS here and at Lowell and Nash
ia. 1t was perfect absurdity to suppose any such
thing.
Nathaniel Wood, Esq, of Fitchburg, differed in
his views with the delegate from Hubbardston. Il
a well settled principle Of law, that if part
ofany cooperate territory is set off the part remain
ing is responsible for all the debts and in conformity
TO this rule, the present question would be settled
Thus suppose the present debt of Worcester County
is $50, O0O-we being third, our proportion i:
$50, 000 Then when we have determined upor
secession, Worcester will say, how much will il
cost for your County bindings We reply as near.
lyas we estimate the amount, and Worceste,
says we will take the properly, relieve you Of the
debt; and then we can take the 900 and erec
our own County buildings for the new County.
Col. Lee, ofTempleton, wished to ask fihe debt
due by the County was not obligatory upon every
town ia the County. He thought that it was now,
and would be after secession as well as before
He was not in favor Of taking every thing for grant
ed; he wanted facts and not suggestions.
Mr. Bradley, Of Hubbardston, said that he regret
ted that the Address and Resolutions had been pu
io'"Wu' We hau cohic W Soou iditn 10 DISCUSS the
matter and examine all the bearings Of the question
upon the interests of all the towns represented
Most Cd these interests local ones. He did moi
think much could be gained by the mode ofproceed-
Jugs which had Il us far been adopted, and thought
better way to judge Of the state Of public sentiment
FOR or against division Of the County, would be, to