Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-11-07

VIII continue TO De mdQes tCneerS.l Inc farmer
Of the present day might as well say that he
would use only the pillow which his father used,
and would not take one, of the manufacture of
our enterprising neighbors, because it bore the
marks OF improvement upon it, as to say, with
reference to affairs of Government and society,
that he would receive no changes, because those
changes would make that Government to differ
from the Government of his fathers. There are
improvements in all the arts, and in all the sci
ences, and among them trust there are improve
lnents in the science of Government. applause
For when we remember how far in advance of the
past our fathers were, who framed the Constitu-
ton of 1880, shall we not prove ourselves 10 be
degenerate sons, if we too, after the lapse of 20
years, cannot make some progress in the science
of government? (Cheers)
Gentlemen, many changes have been proposed
by the new Constitution, which believe, are sat
isfactory to the community generally. The op-
pOnents of the new Constitution admit that
many useful changes have been made but they
complain, that with those beneficial results there
others not so acceptable to them shall pass
over many of the notifications aboutwhch there
is no controversy in the community, and which
are admitted to be beneficial We have changed
the constitution of the Senate, and we have sub
sttuted for the present districts single senatorial
districts; and believe the whole Commonwealth
is satisfied, that in introducing that change,
important and most beneficial improvement has
been made.
My friend (the Chairman) has referred, also, to
the change proposed in the election of many of
our subordinate officers, so that the patronage of
the executive has been diminished, and the power
of the people increased, by transferring from the
executive to the people, the appointment of a
considerable number of the County officers. Cen
tlemen our opponents, believe, touch this sub
ject very carefully While they would prefer that
things should remain they are, the only argu-
ment they venture to upon this point, is that
we must not touch our venerated Constitution.
CHEERS But you, gentlemen, who have passed
beyond that, and who are willing to look at the
Constitution as it is, and to make such changes as
it needs will judge for yourselves whether any
objection can exist to the new mode of eecting
certain County officers, which has been recon-
mended by the Convention. l do not believe that
the mass of the people, however it may be with
certain individuals, will distrust their own wis
dom and capacity, in the election or appointment
of officers of the description to which / REFER
They will not doubt that they can be safely and
wisely intrusted with power to elect Sheriffs
Judges of Probate, Registers of Probate, and the
several officers, the power to elect whom is now
Tor the first time to be transferred to the people
gentlemen, man must be exceedingly igno-
rant, not Of the tendency of the times, merely,
but of the actual condition of things throughout
the United Stetes, to believe for moment that
the people will hesitate to secure to themselves
this power or that any Constitution will be
framed or adopted by the people, which shall here
after deprive them of that power. (Applause.)
The change Is IN conformity with the Consti-
tuition of every State whose Constitution has
been adopted or modified within a few years past.
1t IS conformity, l believe, with the sentiments
or the people everywhere. not in Massachusetts,
not in N. England only but in the whole country.
And, gentlemen, let me say to our conservative
friends, who fear that there will be nothing but
change and instability in all mortal affairs if the
Judges of Probate and the Registers of Probate
shall be elected by the people, that the history of
the past will instruct them, that there is no dam
ger in intrusting the people with the appoint
ment Of these officers. What has been the his
tory of the past? Officers of this description
have been generally appointed by the Governor
But, as II to test the opposite principle, and O
afford to future generations the light of a little
experience, our fathers, strangely enough, did
leave to the people the election Of one or twocounty
officers. The Judges of Probate were appointed
by the Governor, but the Register of Deeds was
elected by the people, and the County Treasurer
also. Let those gentlemen, then, who fear insta-
bility for the future, look to the past for lesson
full of instruction on this head. Have we not
had, since that Constitution went into operation
good and true men for our Registers of Deeds,
and for County Treasurers? (Applause) Have
wo not, at the present day?
Well, gentlemen, although there has been an
annual election of County Treasurer. BY the peo-
pie, yet, such has been the stability Of the peo-
ple-such the confidence with which they sustain
and uphold faithful servant, that, for the last
sixty three years, the County of Worcester has
for almost seventy years, from 1854, l think
when person, Mr.. baldwin, of whom few here
have heard, perhaps, ceased by death 10 be
Register OF Deeds, We have had but four incum-
Oents OF that Office. Now, while one administra.
ton he's succeeded another, in the government of
the State, and officers have been placed in power.
ana removed, at each turn of the wheel, the peo-
pie, themselves, have steadily stood bv their
faithful servants, and regardless even of their
political opinions, they have sustained them in
hpTr ( A
those venerable gentlemen who came here TO
plead for the old Constitution unchanged, and
who tremble, while looking at the future lest
chaos should come back again, to consider the ex-
perience of Worcester County and INQUIRE if
there is not something there to allay their fears
III there is not a lesson of wisdom there and if
they cannot read it, and understand the people
better than they did before. SO it will be- here
after, when the good men and truewho NAV now
be serving you in offices to which they have been
appointed by the Governor think will prove
equally wise and faithful officers if they should
receive, as | dare say they will, the appreciation
OF the people themselves. (Cheers)
u ntlem n, my lrifnd bas.sad aSp, that if Won
ratliy the domgs Of the Conventions YOU secure from
legislative change the secret ballot law. CHEERS y
nat tins Is valuable change, believe the pe oule
oil the Commonwealth ate coming To be unauip,its-
y convinced. believe, since the experience Of last
spring, no party will dare to rise up in this Com
monwealh Tor some years at least, and attempt To
do away with the secret ballot aw. But, lest thew
should see fl 10 under take unwise an act the new
Constitution, if you adopt it, will put it forever be-
yond the reach Of any party legislation in the Stale.
we want 1t. We want il 10 protect iom harm every
man, however dependant he may be- with regard TO
hts pecunlary affairs, who would 90 TO the ballet
box and deposit his vote ,accnldng To his own iudo
nient Of what is right. And think you, gentlemen,
residing IN the CITY of Worcester have seen so,ne
'hiag already, OF the necessity q such law, aud
viii duly appreciate is benefits. (Cheers) For YOU
have seen in this goodly city, man go to the poll,.
and with tears in his eyes, deposit his vote and ven
while he performed that act, declare 'efhIs is not
my vote; IT is the vote Of a wealthy man IN Boston,
on whom my family is in some measure DEPENDENT y
You, gentlemen, know very well that this is not the
only instance in which man, in this CITY, has been
swayed from his purposes ana desires, by the mflu-
ence Of controlling powr The people, bel eve.
have wilIed that so far AZ The laws and the Conmi.
tuition prevent il, there shall be no such inrer
ference, heleaer with the rights Of the citizen; and
my friend, Ohe chairman,) has well said, owe have
bad Of late ifesh evidence Of she importance of such
a law To protect the citizen against the eucrracb