Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-11-04
From the Commonwealth
The Legislation of the last General


vn;mnortan, measures were passed We come now
10 weghtieT matters-tO those acts which had TO
pass the ordeal of Wing criticism and Wing opposi-
lion wheh,-a point of more mpnrtance-were
subjected for months the ireest public discussions,
and which finally were adopted by the only egisla-
tue which ever reflected the sentiments OF the whole
State Ler Xhig politicians rail as they will; the
last LEGISLATURE owing TO the unions effected in the
counties and towns, was the legislature, above all
needing which represented the people; It's meas
ure. meet most fully the popular approval; aud
unless singular folly gives the power next win
fer ia The Wing minority, these measures will be
sustained.
Among the browning gories OF the session is
AN ACT The betp Security Of the Balo'.
VIII any sane man say that the ballot was per
fectly ''secure' even in old Massachusetts! VIII
any man say that the poor man, dependent upon his
rich EMPLOYER for his daily bread, has been in no
danger orbene subjected to influences tending TO
irnpair the independence Of his vote? Is there
town in the State where the spectacle Is not annual
" presented of Wing officials, and The tools and
runners of Wing employers, watching the polls and
noting the ballots of a certain class OF votets! And
is il not notorious that this supervision has been
effectuaI, SO that the kind Of cast by almost
r, individual in town has been known! We have
had no independent ballot. The Wing law requir
inc that votes shall be deposited open and unolded
gives the Wing overseers, by adopting for their
own party ballot peculiar in form, larger or small
er than those of the other parties, or with big
eagle or coou displayed on it, the smest oppor-
tunity of asceraining the character Of every vote
cast.
The peoples Legislature changed all this, and
changed it efecuay, and changed it, too, with the
least possible trouble and expense. Even Wing in
senutv has yet discovered no way Of evadng the
law. The ballot is now aud independent
But, object the Wings, we compelled TO vote
Not nj all clai,
as he deposits his ballot, 81 vote the Wing tcket,'
s'IIere is Free Soil vote;' 'sHurra for Boutwell,
and Cushman;" but he may not know how his neigh
Dor votes. Every man may thus vote openly if he
will. Ii he is an honest man, he viii tell the truth
if he is "A knave, he cannot complain that the en-
veope furnishes screen for his knayery. But the
law this; that it Wings must proclaim their
votes, they cannot compel other voters to proclaim
theirs.
The great objection to the independent ballot is,
the trouble ef practical application. Undoubtedly,
Wing presiding officers will botch and bunder as
much possible in the discharge of their duty; but
let the law have fair trial. and its practical incon-
venences mill be insignificant The price of liberty
is eternal vigilance; and now thatthe Trial by Jury
is stricken down. expense, no trouble is too great,
II essential to the preservation of this last palla-
dunn of constitutional rights-the security Of the
ballot.
AN ACT to amend some Of the proceeding &C., of the
Counts
The value of thin law will be best tested by its
practical operation. We wish it had gone farther
and applied thoroughly the principles Of common
sense to legal proceeding. cit is STEP however
in the right direction. The proceedings, practice,
and rules of evidence of the Massachusetts Courts
complicated and unsatisfactory in the highest
degree justice is almost absolutely of the reach
oil the mass OF the people, except at ruinous cost
and at the end of lifelong delays, and any change
can hardly fail to be for the better.
AN ACT authorizing the erection of a Second Hospital
for The Insane.
Our Wing friends who were so scandaized By
the 'ttruck and dicker'' Of the coalition legislature
must admit that time was found to do something to
maintain the fame of Massachusetts as the benefac.
.or Of the helpless. Wing legislation has confined
the benefits OF our State Asylum to the ssfuriousIy
| insape;" no Lunatic can be admitted at Worcester
tSFionsy insane, and dangerous to be at arpe. N,
trust that the management of the new hospital will
be more hberal-not based merely on considerations
oil public safety, but prompted some what by senti.
ments of humanity.
AN Act, relating to Stockholders in Corporations
This act makes private stockholders in all ioin
stock companies, incorporated since 1881 PERSONAL,
liable Tor all debts, to operatives, their wives ant
MINOR children, sswithin six months next precedinc
had GONE tar,ber and r,ad Iat ~ VI III W'sh
dpbts I1ya ~, GUY guy .ue'' ,''oe 'Vr an S9cf
loaf Is better tban =" Nd s a" o.ners nut na
his Wages - t c,II ~ au operative allows
Ultimately loses by the insolvency Of the corporation
II is his own fault.
AN ACT to authorize the business of Banking.
In other words, the General BANKING Iaw W.
trust no new bank will ever be started IN his a,a
at least until quite number Of the exsling ones ~,
wound up. Forty.five millions of bankin9 c.s,,;,at
will surely answer for the present. The ool;cu -
Massachusetts is now, to dscountenance an art;G
currency, which, lust in pronort;on as !, i
inst nasaed yhr sufn Pressres as that we have
| St;l,f 'l'ooSh anu 10 ueVeope hxed capital
as all business should be, fire., and we like it..
|