Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-09-03
The Constitutional Convention = Tho
Amended Constitution.
AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY
Hon. HENRY WALSO N.
70 the Citizens Of Natick, Aug. 20, 1858.

the State, county and town officers are chosen by
a majority Of ali the votes given. The Conven-
ton was devided into two nearly equal parties
one in favor OF adopting in AL our elections the
plurality rulethe other in favor ofadherng to the
majority principle in all elections After days of
debate 1t was apparent that both parties must
COMPROMISE the question-that both must yield
something. The Convention finally, by a vote of
ls5 TO 1859, adopted the following Constitution
al provisons:-
"a majority OF all the votes given shal be nee
cessary to the election of Governor, Lieutenant
Governor, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, and At
torney-General, of the Commonwealth. until
otherwise provided by law, bnt no such law pro-
vidlng that such officers, either Of them, or
Representatives 10 the General Court, shall be
elected by plurality, instead majority of votes
given, shall take effect until one year after its
passage; and il at any time after such law shall
have taken effect it shall be repealed, such re-
peal shall not become law until one year after
the passage Of the repeating act. A majority Of
votes shall be required in all elections of Repre-
sentatves 10 the General Court, until otherwise
provided by law. In the election Of all city or
town officers, such rules of election shall govern
as the Legislature may by law prescribe In all
elections of Councillors and Senator's, and in all
elections of County or District officers, the per.
elected
The advocates of the plurality rule have secured
the application of that rule TO the election of
"Councillors and Senator'S and TO ''County and
District" officers; and they have, also, secured
to the Legislature the power TO apply the pIura-
ty rule to all elections of State officers, Represen.
tatlve TO the General Court and city and town
officers. The ratification of the amended Const-
tuition will secure all that the friends of the pu.
ralty rule reasonably demand. If the people
are in favor of the plurality system they will OBJ
tam 1t In year or Two
The eleventh chapter of the amended Consi.
tuition consists of fifteen articles concerning the
MILITIA
This chapter was prepared and reported by a
Committee composed of gentlemen of experience
IN military affairs, at the head Of which was Gen
Oliver; who was for several years Adlutant Gen
eral of the Commonm ealth. The powers and
duties of the State and of the officers and privaes
are distinctly set forth and clearly defined The
provisions of the aasnded Constitution concern.
Ing the Militia are marked improvements over the
existing provisions. They cannot but receive the
commentator and hearty support of the friends
OF the Militia Of the Commonwealth. reform
long demanded by military men is secured. Ma
Jor- Generals are no longer 10 be chosen by the
LeglsIalure--by body Of men utterly unqualified
to elect such otticers-but they are to ''BE
ELECTED BY THE VOTES OF THE BRIGAD1ER
GENERALS AND FIELD-oFFICERs.
HARVARD COLLEGE,
''Our wise and pous ancestors, so early as the
year one thousand six hundred and thirty six laid
the foundation of Harvard College, This In
sIitution of learning, founded by The Legislature
of the province of Massachusetts, - and cherish
ed by ole hundred and fifty years of Colonial Le-
glsature, was placed into the Consultation by lis
trainers IN 1880, and commended to The fostering
care OF the Government and people. To the
"PREsIDENT aud FELLOWS of HARVARD
COLLEGE, IN their corporate capacity,' the
polcers authorities, rights, liberties, privileges
tmmunitles, and Franchises which they then
held, were, ''ratifed and confirmed forever,
The Corporators of the College, consisting of the
President, Treasurer, and five Associates, direct
the affairs of the Institution. For more than half
a century the Corporation have been of one re.
lglous sect, and OF one political party. During
the present cenluary thirty three Corporations
have been chosen-alI | think of one religious
sect aud OF one political party As this lnstiiu-
ton was founded by the Stately ''our wise and
plous ancestors, the people have long and lust.
ly complained Of the exclusive secarian and pol-
nical character of the Corporaiors " hen The
Convention assembled, the people had reason to
anticipate some action concerning that Corpora
lion. So much Of the Constitution as related
Harvard College WAS referred 10 Committee.
composed Of gentlemen Of learning and ability. al
the head of which was placed The Hon J. 5. C.
knowlton, of Worcester, gentleman Of enlarged
and liberal views After most patient and
laborious investigation, the Committee reported,
that,
THE Legislature shall always have full power
and authority, as may be judged needful for the
advancement OF learning, to grant any further
powers 10 the President and Fellows of Harvard
College, or 10 alter, limit annul, or restrain. any
Of the powers now vested in them: propided, the
obligation Of contracts shall not be impaired.
This report was adopted, in "A very thin house.
by the vote of I2I to 2s This nearly unanimous
vote authorising the Legislature ''io
ALTER, LIMIT, ANNUL, OR RESTRAIN.
any OF the powers vested in the Corpora
tion Of Harvard College. is an evidence Of the
sentiments OF the people, and Of the Justice Of the
amendment proposed. II the voice of the people
shall breathe into this proposition the breath of
lie, The Legislature will De clio he'd with all the
power the people can confer, 10 place in that
Board Of Cofporators, men Of genius and learning
OF all religious secis and of all political opinions
and 10 place that Institution in sympatbv with
the popular will.
The Constitution makes it s'the duty of Legs.
tors and magistrates, in all future periods of this
Commonwealth, to cherish the interests especial.
ly'' of"public schools, and grammar schools in
the towns" During the past twenty wears, great
aud successful efforts have been made to elevate
and improve our common schools A school fund
Of about one million Of dollars has been accumuat-
ed: the Commonwealth has a large interest in
Eastern lands and in the Western Railroad Cor.
poratlon BY the provisions of the fourth article
Of the twetfth chapter Of The amended Constitution
''it is the duty of the Legislature" TO provide for
the enlargement Of the
SCHOOL FUND,
"until It shall amount TO sum not less than TWO
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS; and The said fund sha H
be preserved invioale, and the income thereof
shall be annually appropriated for The aid and i'm.
provement of the common schools OF the State.
and for no other purpose" This wise and bene-
hcent amendment was adopted by the unanimous
vote Of the Convention. The friends OF popular
education will support the amended Constitution
none the less heartily for thus securing by Con-
stitutlonal guarantees TO the cause of popular
education the proceeds Of the property Of the State