Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-06-03
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
AFrERNeoN SESSION.


that upon establishing by the Constitution, the seat
of Government Boston, referred TO the Com.
mitiee ol the Whole.
Further reports were submitted that it is inexpe.
dent provide that in all elections made directly
by tie Legislature, or either branch thereof, the
MIRA uoce mode be adopted; that It is inexpedent TO
incorporate into The Constitution a provision that
corporations may be formed under general laws but
shall not be created by special act except for bank
ing aud municipal purposes, where the object
cannot be attained under general laws. Referred TO
Committee of the Whole.
Petitions -OfJ. A. Seyton and eighty others,io
law protecting fugitive slaves of sundry parties in
Boston, that able bodied male citizens should be
excluded from civil Office serving in the militia
on account Of his color.
The Plurality Systematic Convention proceed
ed 60 the consideration OF this report.
Mr. Butler renewed the motion previously made
and Withdrawn by MIR Reyes Of Abingdon, to
commit the resolves the subject to the standing
committee, having the same previously under con-
sideratjon.
Mr. Cady of Monitor, moved to refer to special
committee.
The Chair decided that the motion of Mr.. Butler
took precedence; but if that motion should be neg
atived, then the question would be taken the mo-
ton of Mr. Cady.
The motion Of Mr. Butler was modified by him
self by substituting for the standing committee a
special committee Of one IRON each county The
motion and the amendment was discussed by the
mover and by Messrs. Hooper, Gardner, Frotling-
ham, French, Wilson. Parker OF Cambridge, Schoul-
er, and Reyes, aud passed.
Mr. HalieIt for Wilbraham. submitted an order
that The last named Committee inquire into the ex-
pediency Of making the Governor, Lieut.. Governor,
Senators aud Cnuny officers elective by plurality;
aud Representatives, in the General Court, NUM-.
cipal officers, and Town Officers elective by major
ity. Adopted,
Imagination Gray Of Boston offered an or.
der directing the Commlee on The House Of Rep
resentatiyes 10 report liable of the population of
each city and town, and the number OF Representa-.
tives To which each would be entitled under the
report of the majority Of that Committee. Laid
over.
Lieut. Governor and Couucf-The Convention
resolved itself into Committee of the Whole, (Mr
Briggs, of PiisGrd in the Chair,) on the resolves
on the subject Of the Council, the resolves and
amendments on the subject of the Lieut.. Governor,
<and the order of inquiry upon the expediency Of
abolishing the office OF Lieut.. Governor
Mr. Hallett, Chairman Of the Committee having
the subject Of The Council under consideration, ad
dressed the Committee in support Of The resolutions,
which recommend The aboshing Of the Council and
the distribution Of its powers and duties among 9TH
er departments Of the government, 10 wit:-Advso-
ny powers il the pardpnng of offences, 10 the Gov.
ernor. Advisory and confirming powers in appoint
ing civil officers, TO The Senate. Examination OF re-
turns Of votes, to Board consisting OF the Govern
or, Lieut.. Governor, Secretary OF State, Treasurer
and Attorney General. The warrants Of the. Gov.
ernor for drawing money out OF the Treasury to be
drawn upon the certificate Of the Auditor AI
other joint duties Of the Governor ard Council 10 de-
volve on the Governor until Otherwise provided by
the Legislature.
At the close Of Nj Hallett's remarks the Com
-mtfee rose and obtained leave to sit again. AID.
journed.
THURSDAY, June 2.
Mr Wilson of Natick, submitted an order in
structing the special committee on the resolve re-
latng to plurality in elections, to consider the ex-
pedlency Of providing that all vacancies OCCASION
ed by failures TO elect Senators and Representa-.
tives by majority on the day of the annual cleo
ton, shall be filled by elections held on The Sec
ond Tuesday of December by plurality of votes.
Also, to give the Legislature authority 10 provide
by law that county and municipal officers may be
chosen by plurality Of votes, such law not TO take
effect until two years after its passage. Adopted
Mr. Cole Of Cheshire, submitted an order d.
recting the Committee on Enrolment to consider
the expediency Of submitting to the people, for
their adoption or rejection, so much of the amend
ed Constitution as relates to the number of repre-
sentatives and the basis of their apportionment;
elections by plurality or majority; and granting
the loan of Stale credit in questions distinct FROM
each Othef and from the Constitution as whole
Adopted
Mr. Morton Of Taunton, submitted report from
the Committee to whom was referred so much of
the Constitution relates to the Judiciary, that
it is expedient to amend as follows:
The Governor and the two branches Of the
Legislature respectively, shall not hereafter be
authorised to propose questions to'the Judges of
the Supreme Court and require their opinion
thereon; also, by substituting for the last two
clauses of the 18th article of the first section of
the second chapter, the following;
"The Judicial power of the Commonwealth
shall be vested IN Supreme Judicial Court, and
such other inferior Courts as Tie Legislature NAV
establish. The Judges of the Supreme Court
shall receive honorable salaries, which shall not
be diminished during the lime they cunllnud in
office
Also, by Substituting for The fifth article in tne
third chapter The following .-.'rhe Legislature
shall have pp~'I 10 make laws regulating mai rage
divorce, and an,opi bm shall IA no case decree a
divorce, o, htar and determine any eases touching
the validity al The marriage c,n l." The Com
mittee alsn report that II Is expedemt make fur
Their amendments ia the irst aad second and fifth
articles Of the third chapter OF The Constitution
Mr. Underwood Of Milford submitted An order in
reference 10 represenaton-thaI every CITY or town
having one thousand or less inhabitants shall have
one representative every third year, aud that such
towns be divided into three casst s, each to elect
every third year IN succession. Every city or town
having thousand and less than two thousand in
habIanis shall have representative every second
year, such towns 10 be divided into Two classes and
elect alternately. Every city and town Of 1000 in.
habt'nts 10 have one representative each year,
Every town city Of 5000 inhabitants to have Two
representatives. Every town and city Of IL 900 in
habnants 20 have three representatives; every town
and city OF $1,000 inhabitants TO have four represe.