Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-09-29

the few, rather than upon the wisdom and justice
Of the many.
Resolued, That the proposed Constitution is un-
worthy Of adoption by The people Of this Common.
wealth.
l. Because it utterly falls short Of presenting the
reforms promised by the advocates Of The Conven-
2. Because the various amendments are so pre-
scented that free expression OF opinion is impossible;
and the good and bad be accepted and rejected
together.
3. Because it threatens in vital point tie adj
minisraton Of justice, by introducing novel and
detrimental doctrines into the great institution ofthe
jury.
A. Because it unnecessarily interleres with the
freedom OF voters in elections, and with the purity Of
the check hist, creating invidous distinctions be-
tween the inhabitants of cities and towns.
5. Because the plurality system in the election Of
Governor and Lieutenant Governor, by which alone
the voice Of tho people can be uniformly obtained,
and an early organization Of the government effect
ed, is denied, although promised by the friends of
the convention, and demanded by the people as a
safeguard against corruption.
6. Because the party which dictated the proposed
Constitution, not content with taking the pnwer iom
the majority Of the people, has undertaken 10 per-
petuate its usurpalon by giving the control Of all
future conventions TO a small minority.
T.. Because in the late convention the conduct of
the dominant party, itself representing hut mere
minority of the people Of the State, and the charac-
ter of the amenments adopted, together with the
manner in which they are presented to be passed
upon by the people, concusivey show, that party and
moi patriotic motives controlled that body, we'll
reckless determination, at all hazords, TO regain
and keep the control of the Commonwealth IN their
own hands.
8. Because, most OF all, under the proposed Com
stiluuon, the people Of Massachusetts wilIno longer
possess equal political rights, when the inhabitants
of one county have n comparative power in the gov
eminent nearly three times great the nhabi-
anls OF another county, and when the inhabitants OF
town havs proportional representation more
than len times as great those of another town.
Resoired, That we are in favor Of the following
leading amendments to the present Constitution, TO
be obtained il possible through the action Of the
Legislature, and failing there, by new and popular
convention based upon equality Of representation.
l. The entire establishment of the plurality sys
TEN in elections.
2. The election Of the Senate from single districts
8. The reduction of the number of members Of the
House Of Representatives, aud the adoption of the
District System as a basis of representation, by
which shall be secured to the whole people Of the
Commonwealth the right OF annual representation,
upon principles of justice and equality.
4. The election by,the people Of many of the ex.
ecutive officers now chosen by the Governor and
Council.
5. Such other changes and reforms as are mt ces.
sary 70 the convenient, sale, and economical organ.
lzalIon and administration Of the government
Resotled, That the enormous expenditures incur
red through the NAL administration Of the party
lately in power, and the heavy taxation consequent
hereupon, demonstrate their unitness for the duties
they assumed.
Resoiued, That we call upon all citizens, of what
ever party, who love the good fame Of this ancient
Comnonweath-all who regard this general good
more than they fear the dictation Of party, TO CO.
operate with us in obtaining the amendments before
indicated, and to join in vigorous effort to cave the
Stale from the deep and permanent disgrace Of a
partisan Constitution.
The next resolution was complimentary to Wash
burn and Plunkett.
The resolutions were adopted without debate, and
with the customary vote of thanks to the officers,
the Convention adjourned.