Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-07-09
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.


Mr Boutwell, Of Berlin, advocated the system Of
town representation, urging an especial reason
that IT was due on the ground OF compensation,
transfer Of power from some portions of the State
to others being the result Of basing the Senate
population. He had prepared tables to show the
diferencelbetween representation on population and
representation on legal voters. Assuming that one
Senator represented basis equal to ten representa-
tives, il would appear that Suffolk county would
gain Senator, proposed in the construction of
the Senate, equal toten representatives, while in
the House il would lose eleven members on a basis
OF voters. This would, on the compensation theo-
ry, make but little change, in reality, in Suffolk
county, In Essex county there would be a loss Of
seven and a half members, Plymouth eight, Barn.
stable three, and Worcester less than one; while on
the other hand, Mddesex would gain five and
| halt, Hampshire and Hampden one and bali each,
Frankliatwo, Berkshire four and hail. Norfolk
one, Bristol Two and eight tenlhs, Dukes small
| fraction.
Mr. Hale Of Boston, was DESTROYS of having vote
directly upon the district system, in the form in
which it was reported by the minority of the Com
niiitee. For that purpose he offered propositions
differing om the minority report only in going more
fully into details, which he called for the yeas
and nays. Ordered.
Mr. SchouIer OF Boston, advocated the district
system, and hoped he suggestion Of the gentleman
from Taunton, 10 submit both propositions to the
people, would be acted upon
Mr. French Of Be'kley, advocated the proposition
under consideration.
Mr. Hae,t of Wibiaham. moved to strike out
the amendment adopted on motion Of Mi Wood of
Middleboro, in the morning. for the purpose oil pro.
yldng that small towns may unite TO form districts
which shall continue in force two years. In advo.
ealing the motion, he expressed surprise at the
adoption Of The amendment as Injurious to small
towns, and Trusted it would be stricken out.
The Char ruled that the motion would be on re.
considering the amendment of Mr.. Wood.
Mr. GriS,unld ,f Ervinr fc,va III
the provision adopted placing the amendment
much in the Same position with the provision in the
present constitution, under which the small towns
had declined to ACT.
Before taking any action on the molten, the con-
venlion adjourned.
FRIDAY, June g.
The Convention proceeded at once to the or
ders ofthe day, and further considered the re-
solves upon the basis Of representation.
Mr. BarAet Of Boston, took the floor and sus-
tanned the amendment of Mr. Hale and the dis
trict system Mr. Bartlett was proceeding with
his argument on the general merits of the ques-
lion, when Mr.. Hallett interrupted him on point
Of order, viz, that the question pending was on
the reconsideration Of yesterdays vote whereby
The second paragraph Of the first resolve had been
amended.
Mr. Bartlett yielded the floor to allow the vote
Of reconsideration TO be taken, which was car
red.
Mr. HaIlelt then offered substitute for the
amendment above stated, which was as follows:
"Any two OF such towns may, by avote of ma
Jor part of the legal voters present al legal
meeting in each of said towns respectively called
for that purpose, unite together in district,
which shall be entitled to representative each
year, and which shall continue not less than two
years, excepting the year in which the valuation
is settled.''
This amendment was adopted and Mr. Bartlett
then resumed his argument.
Mr. Abbott of Lowell offered an amendment TO
the third resolve, to make the increase oS
representatives in large towns and cities proper
tiondte to the increase of population in the whole
Commonwealth, and not TO the increase of their
own populOtion.
Mr. Lord of Salem opposed any such PROPOSE
ton
Mr. Morton of Taunton, submitted an alternate
propositian to be submitted to the people, en-
bracng three qus.ions for their sanction or reiec-
ton as follows: LIST, will The people amend the
Constitution in the matter Of representation;f So
secondly. will they adopt the scheme proposed
by the majority; or thirdly, a district system
which accompanied the proposition.
Mr. Allen OF Worcester, did not believe the
power was vested nthis Convention TO submit
such scheme TO the people, They had no pow
or to submit such alternative propositions but
simple questions which the Convention had itself
adopted, and which they were to act upon
simply.
The hour for taking the question having arriv-
ed, the amendment of Mr. Abbott was adopted
Mr. Earle, Of Worcester, offered an amend
ment tending to consolidate the last three para.
graphs Of the first resolve, and to reduce the num-
Der from IL, 900 to 5000 inhabitants, where the
nun Der Of representatives begin to increase in the
ratio Of Ito 4000 Rejected.
The question then REQUIRED on the amendment
offered yesterday by Mr. Hale, which is to substi-
tnie district system for the scheme of MIR But
Ter as amended. The amendment was rejected
The question then occurred upon the final pas
sage Of the resolves, on which the yeas and nays
were ordered.
Mr. Wood of Fitchburg, moved suspension
&c the rules, for the purpose of reversing the or
der Of calling the roll. Motion rejected
The ayes and nays were then called on the
passage Of the resolves, and resulted as follows
Ayes 235; nays l3l.
The following is the form Of the amended re-
solves, as finally passed:
Resolved, That the Constitution be SO revised
and altered, that the representation Of the Common
wealth be apportoned as iolows
Each town of a less number than 1000 inhabitents
shall be entitled 10 representatives in each 10 years
with an additional representative for the year when
the valuation Of estates shall be settled.
Any two such towns may, by vote Of the major
part Of the legal voters present at legal meeting in
each Of said towns respectively, called for that pur
pose, mite together in district, which shall be en-.
titled 10 representative each year, aud which shall
continue not less than two years, excepting the year
in which the valuation IS settled
Every town Of one thousand inhabitants, and of
less than four housand shall be entitled to one Rep.
resentative each year.
| Every town Of four thousand inhabitants, and Of
less than eight thousand, shall be entitled 10 two
Representatives each year.
Every town Of eight thousand inhabitants, and of
less than twelve thousand, shall be entitled 10 three
Representatives each year.
Every city or town Of Twelve thousand inhabitants
shall be entitled 10 four Representatives each year.
Every city or town containing over twelve thou
sand inhabitants, shall be entitled elect one add
onal Representative for every four thousand inhab-
iants il may contain over Twelve thousand
! b Resoued, That this apporlonment be based upou
the census Of 1850, until new census be TAKEN
Resolued, That the Senate at its first session after
| this shall have beer adj nd a.