Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-10-07
Free Democrats Attend!
Representation.


sition, or The Constitution itself, manifestIy
Just and proper, aud obviously required by the
public sentiment Of the State, that they dare not
take issue thereon. 1t is true, that to the casual
and unrefecting observer, the propositions in rela-
ton TO representation may be 50 distorted, and pre-.
scented IN so unfair manner, as TO appear unequal,
and, perhaps, unjust. But, the arguments brought
against The instrument, this point, will stand
the test Of invesg aion-they fade away before it,
as does the dew before a morning sun.
Ii is not pretended, by It's friends, that the instru-
ment is perfect in this respect; the circumstances of
the case render it impossible that it should be so,
The subject is hedged around with difficulties and
the opinions of individuals are various and discord.
ant, as to hat the best system would be, so that
any plan, which might be adopted must be com.
promise, in which all yield something Of their own
opinions, in order to unite upon that, which com.
bines the greatest amount of opinion in its lavora nd
most nearly reconciles the dscordant views which
are entertained. That the Constitution does
this, is most confidently clamed and, that it is a
great Improvement on the old no one whose opin-
ion is not warped by party feeling prejudice, will
deny. Indeed, much seemed 10 be conceded to
1t in the Cow by the almost unanimous voice
of its members, and, at the close Of the session. it
was spoken Of, on all hands,as Instrument which,
in comparison with the okl Constitution, mnst, and
would, secure the vote Of The people And this, in
fact, is The true question TO I've decided-not whether
2 1t comes up own individual idea Of perGec.
ton, bat whether it is, all things considered. better
than the preseut Constitution. II il be, then it
should be adopted, and, as public opinion becomes
prepared for further advancements, new amend
ments may be adopted to conform to the will Of the
people.
The sliding scale Of representation in the present
constitutions by which, the population of the State
increases, the smaller are gradually but surely
DISTINGUISHED, and The legislative power concenlrat.
ed in the hands of the cities and few large towns,
is an evil, infinitely greater than any inequality
which exists in the constitution. By this pro.
vision, hundred and thirty towns are already
DISTINGUISHED, and under the census of 1860, foyty
one totcns will be added the list, making in
ALL one hundred and eighty DISTINGUISHED towns,
while only one hundred and forty cities and towns
willsremain with the right OF annual representation
Yet, this constitution, by which the inhabitants Of
nearly hall the State are already DISTINGUISHED, and
by which those Of considerably more than half,
will be, after 1860, is the one which we are a1Ee1rS
retain, in preference to the amended constitution.
Is there any thing in The new constitution, which
for inequality will begin compare With this whole
sale dislIanchisement Of towns or any thing that
approaches it, IN unairness and injustice M.
merca inequality in representation, where all other
ideray
most infinitely less so, than obsoule dep ivaton OF
representation.
1t was this disfranchisement Of the towns, pres.
emf and prospective, and this concentration Of the
legislative power of the State into the hands of the
cities and large towns, that more than all other con-
sideratons induced the people to call the conyen-
zion. The remedy OF this evil, therefore, would
naturally be prominent object with the convention
and IL probably occupied the attention OF the mem
bers more than all other subjects And if there was
any subject, on which than any other, a sin.
cere desire was manifested to do Justice and to give
satisfaction to The people, it Oh that of represen.
tation.
The first great question that presented itself on
tins subject, was, whether the system which had
grown up with the Stale aud prevailed from the first
organization o! The colonial government OF tow rep.
resentatioa, should be retained, or be abandoned
and district system substituted for IT, Every vote
that was taken thereon showed that The district sys
TEN had not the slightest chance Of success as it
never received the vote Of one third Of the members
although several voted for it, who admitted thai
they voted in opposition the wishes Of their con.
md H., Ii
The result was to depend their votes. 1t was evi.
dent that the people not prepared for a dis.
trict system. aud that If one should be sent out TO
them, 1t would, most certainly, be rejected.
The only alternative remaining, therefore, was to
fix upon such System Of representation, as would
unite the most strength ia its favor, and approach
the most nearly to equality, consistent with the prop.
er Organization aud working Of the legislative body.
II was deemed sine gya non to secure to every
portion OF the people, as nearly possible, be right
to constant representation in the House. But this
could not be done, IL absolute equality were insisted
upon, because, II each small town had renresen,a
tive, and the larger more in proportion 10 num-
bers, il would make the House so large and nm,
~iedly, as TO embarrass The public business and un.
necessarily tax the peope 1t was necessary then that
there should be yielding Of extremes SO as to com.
promise upon some plan, which would more nearly
than any other, all the objects sought to be
attained. After long delibera.on and the most am
pie and free discussion, the system which has been
presented to the people was ageed upon, by the
vote Of great majority Of The convention, and in
concurrence with the opinions and wishes Of some
members who did not give IL their votes. BY this
compromise, about sixty small towns, On the one
hand surrender their clam to annual representa-
uon' while, on the other, the large towns and cities
consent TO ratio Of three thousand inhabitants far
second representative, and four thousand for each
successive one.
This arrangement, we firmly believe. is NOT onlv
Infinitely preferable TO the provisions oftbs presen
constitution, bot is, pese, good one, and we believe
especially that does no injustice to the large towns.
n. s,ieh Iluf. this we ehall make A.. ..i..--. . =