Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-09-01
ABoLIsHINe THE PROPERTY, QUALIFIcA-
TIoN.

ABoLIsHING THE PROPERTY QUALIFIcA-
TIoN.
The resolution was adopted by vote Of 2s9 to
6. This almost unanimous voice of the Conyen-
ton, if sanctioned by the people, sw eeps away
the last relic of the property qualification for Of
fee in this Commonwealth.
THE COUNCIL.
Nine Councillors are now annually chosen, by
the two Houses in joint ballot ''foI advising The
Governor in the Executive part of the Govern
ment" Many friends of Constitutional reform
were in favor of the abolition of the Council
They were of the opinion that it could be wise
" and safely dispensed with altogether. The
Committee to which was referred that portion Of
the Constitution reported in favor Of lis abolition
Mr. Iallett the Chairman Of the Committee, and
others, sustained the report with great zeal-but
after a long debate of marked ability the Conven-
lion refused to abolish ii by vote Of l22 te 1856.
Nearly every Wing member present and voting,
voted to retain the Council
The Convention under the lead of Gov Bout
well decided to give the
ELECTION OF COUNCILLORS TO THE PEOPLE
The second article of The sirth chapter of the
amended Constitution provides that ''eight Coua-
ciliorS shall be annually chosen bg the people, )"
in single districts 'each district to consist of five
contiguous senatorial districs' This change
places the election Of Councillors in the hands OF
the people, so that hereafter the constitutional
advisers of the Governor will represent the popu-
lar wiIl-not the will ofthe Senate and House in
Convention assembled.
The Constitution declares that the ''resolutions
and advice of the Council shall be recorded in a
Registersa signed by the members present.
This record of the official acts Of the Councillors
Is not open TO the examination of the people
he cd IL.
cord.
SHALL ALWAYS BE SUBJECT TO PUBLIC
EXAMINATION.
Councillors may be, and they sometime are ap.
pointed on commissions, or 10 places for which
they receive compensation. The Constitutional
advisers of the Governor should not seek or re-
celye such appointments. The amended Consti
tuition declares that ''no Councillor shall be ap-
pointed on any Commission or 10 any place and
TecelUe compensation therefore, The resolution
making these important changes changes that
cannot but receive the cordial appreciation of the
peope-were adopted by IA vote of 1853 TO SO.
The Executive Councillors are not only chosen
in the joint ballot Of the two House, but the oahs
OF Office are administered to them by the Presi-
dent Of the Senate in the convention of the two
branches. The two Houses have been often
Obliged TO go into convention several times each
year 10 administer the oaths oil oilce TO the coun
clllors when they arrive and are ready 10 accept
the places conferred upon them. This needless
foruallty has been abolished, and the amended
Constitution provides that the ''oaths or affrma-
tons shall be taben and subscribed 'BY CoUN-
CILLoRs BEFORE THE PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE" This reform tends 10 simplify the
mode of the organization of the Government and
to facilitate the public business.
TO be Continued