Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-08-08

large towns shall be so districted for the choice
of representatives that no district shall be entitled
to elect more than three members. In the Judg-
ment of the Convention the election Of many OH
GERS on a single general ticket Is not compatible
with the freedom and purity of the representative
system.
The property qualifications of Governor and
Lieutenant Governor has been abolished.
The Council has been mdae elective by the
people in single DISTRICTS and the records Of that
body hereafter to he subject to public examl-
nation.
We have provided that the Atorney-General,
the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Audit
OF and the Treasurer, officers now appointed by
the Governor, or chosen by the Legislature, shall
hereafter be elected annually by the people; and
that the Judges of Probate, Registers of Probate,
Sheriffs, Clerks of Courts, Commissioners OF In
solvency, and District Attorneys, officers now
appointed by the Executive or the Courts, shall
also be elected by the people for the terms of
three years.
We have also provided that the Justices of the
Supreme Judicial Court and Of the Court of Com"
mon Pleas, hereafter appointed, shall hold their
offices for the term of ten years. In free gov
eminent the people should be relieved in roa-
sonahle time and by the ordinary course of affairs
from the weight of incompetent or unfaithful
public servants. Under the present Constitution
a Judge can only be removed by the difficult and
unpleasant process Of impeachment, or OF ad,
dress. Such remedies will be resorted to only in
the most aggravated cases. Under the proposed
system we have no apprehension but that faithful
and competent Judges will be retained in the
public SERVICE while those whose places can be
better filled with other men will retire to private
life without violence or ungraclous circumstances,
and scarcely with observation.
1t is proposed that Justices of the Peace shall
be divided into two classes. Those whose duties
are chiefly ministerial will be, as heretofore, APP
pointed by the Governor and Council ;whlle those
intrusted with judicial authority are to be elected
by the people, and to hold by tenure of three
years
Under the original Constitution, voters and pub
lie officers were qlired to ssess property quail
ificatons. These have heretofore been removed
in part and we now commend the entire aboli-
ton of the property qualification in the voter for
all national and all State officers mentioned in
the Constitution. The obligations of citizens 10
contribute to the public expenses by assessments
of taxes are not in any degree changed.
Provision is also made for the secresy of the
ballot BY the ballot the citizen at the same
time declares his opinion public affairs, and as
serts his equality with every other citizen. Free
dom ofopinlon, and freedom in the expression of
opinion, are individual rights, to be limited or
controlled only by public necessity. We see
no public necessity which ought to deprive the
citizen Of these rights, and we have therefore
made provision for their protection.
We also provide absolutely that in many cleo
tions persons having the highest number Of votes
shall be chosen. This rule has been applied
principally to the elections in counties and dis
t.;ot IT,.
The Governor, Lieutenant Governor Secretary
of the Commonwealth, Attorney General, Treas.
urer, Auditor, Representative To the General
Court, and town officers, are exceptions to the
rule. In case of "a failure to elect either of the
first six named the election is referred to the Cen
eral Court; while subsequent trials may be had
for the choice OF Representatives and municipal
officers. We have, therefore, as we think, re-
tanned the majority rule where its application will
be the least burdensome TO the people. AT the
same time we have provided that the Legislature
may substitute the plurality rule whenever the
public will shall demand it, with a condition that
act for that purpose shall take effect until one
year after its passage. J hus we have given an
opportunity to test the wisdom of the plurality
system by experience, and power to apply it to
every popular election in the Commonwealth
whenever the deliberate judgment of the people
shall requirs it.
The various provisions relating to the militia
have been REVISED, some important changes have
been made, and that department of the govern
ment will rest more firmly than ever On a con-
stutional basis.
Changes are proposed concerning the Univer-
sity at Cambridge, and the General Court is in.
strucled to take means for the enlargement of the
school fund, until il shall amount to a sum not
less than two millions of dollars.
Although the Constitution has always asserted
in the strongest terms, the right of the people at
all times, to alter, reform, or totally change their
frame ofgovernment, yet it has been commended
by some that the operation and effect OF the spe-
ci6c provisions for amendments contained there
in, have been such as practically to impair or rem
der doubtful this great right. We have, there
fore, thoughtit wise, while we recognize and re-
tain the modes of exercising the right practsed
hitherto in this Commonwealth. TO introduce adj
ditional provisions, TO meet possible future exigen
Cies, and to enable the people, without contro-
versy, to hold periodical conventions that shall
not be subject TO or restricted by any previous or
subsequent act o. the Legislature.
Trusting that you will examine with care the
proceedings of The Convention, and the result TO
which it has come, we deem it unnecessary to
explain several less prominent changes proposed
in the Constitution of the Commonwealth
We also submit seven distinct amendments
which are presented separately for your ratiica-
ton. Some of them are new land all of them are
Independent of the framework ofthe government,
and may be either adopted or rejected without
disturbing the system or harmony of the Consl-
tuition. They have all, however been sustained
by decisive majories of your delegates, and en-
brace important essential principles in popular
government. The formation or revision Of pop
uar Constitution is an epoch in the history of a
free people.
We are sensible of,he magnitude of the trust
which you have confded to us, but il is not more
important than the just decision of the question
which we submit TO you. We have no doubt that
your decision will secure a result beneficial TO
Massachusetts. aud, under Divine Providence.
will render more and more iIlustrious our ancient
Commonwealth.
NATHANIEL P. BANKS, JR.,
President.
WILLIS ILL a 5 ;, RoDINsON' Secretaries.
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM. The able and
accomplished Boston correspondent of the New