Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-05-18
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

Reports Of the DebmeS.-Mr Gomgas, Of Concord,
from the Committee Reporting the Debates, made
report, that Of four proposals, they had decided in
favor Of that Of Mr. Harvey Fowler, as the Superin-
tendent Of the Reports, and that committee be APP
pointed to contract with said Fowler, and with
Messrs White s. Potter, State Printers, for the
printing of the same in an official form.
On motion of Mr. Schouler, Of Boston, the subject
was postponed until Tuesday
Resignation.--A communication was read from
Peleg Sprague, member from Boston, resignmg his
by reason OF i'll health, which was accepted and
the Secretary instructed to give notice 10 The au-
thorlties OF Boston in such manner the Conven-
tim should he ealer dhect.
Harvard UaiUerSity.-Mr vii on oil Natick sub.
miIted an order that the Commntee on Harvard
University consider the expediency Of providing that
the corporation Of that institution shall consist of
seven persons chosen by the Ii gisature, that one
of them shall 90 of office every year, and tLat
each shall be Of a different religious denomination.
Adopted.
Jlvies to Judgeof LatO as loeH as Eridence.-Mr
Hooper of Fall River, submitted an order that the
Committee on the Bill Of Rights consider the cXpe-
dency Of providing that in all criminal prosecutions,
juries shall be Judges of The law as well as of the
facts; and providing for some other amendments OF
the same general tenor Adop'ed
Clerks Of Corats.-Mr Churchill of Milton, SUBJ
mited an order that the Comm tlee the Judiciary
consider the eXpediency of having the clerks of all
courts periodically elected by the members of the bar
Of the county in which the officer serves, subject TO
the approval Of the justices. Adopted.
Legislative Districts. Mr. Kellogg of Hadiey, sub
mited an order that the Committee the House of
Representatives consider the expediency Of pro-
vdng that the forty Senator ial Districts into which
the State proposed to be divided be called Legs-
atve Districts, and that each of them elect, annual.
ly, eight Representatives, TO be formed anew every
ten years. Adopted.
n.
submitted an order that the committee this sub
ject consider the expectancy Of providing that
in city, town, and parish affairs, have the same
qualification. Adopted.
Petitions to Leg islame-Mr Gardner Of See kOnk,
submitted an order that the Committee the Frame
of Government consider The eXpediency Of proyd-
ing that no petition shall be received and acted upon
by the Legislature, unless presented within two weeks
from the commencement Of the session. Adopted
General Banking MIR rockingham Of Charles
town, submitted an order that a special committee
be appointed consider the expedieucy of provid.
ing that the Legislature shall have no power to grant
any special charters for banking purposes; for The
registry Of all bills and notes now issued and requir-
ing ample security therefor; and that in case Of in.
solVency OF banking corporations, bill holders shall
have precedence over all other creditors. Adop-
ted
Special Legslation.-Mr Whitney Of Conway,
submitted an order that "a committee Of thirteen be
dIpointeu ~ COhslueI the e%peOlency OF providing
that no corporations shall be created for special acts
except for cities, and where the object sought can
not be accomplished except by special law. Adop.
ted.
Last Census and Representation. Mr. Gray of Bos-
ton submitted an ordeI that The Secretary cause to
be printed the Census last taken by The State with
the representation in the Senate and House under
that census Adopted.
The Berlin Case. The Calendar being taken IN,
the consideration Of this case was resumed. Mr..
Parker, Of Cambridge having the aoor--who, IN
long, but able argument, eudeavured TO show that
the Legislature authorized in repeating the Sc.
cret ballot law as applicable The eltclion Of dele
gates TO the Convention. lie contended that the
Legislature, being but the agent Of the people, the
acts Of that body were, in all cases, while &C ting I'M
der the Constitution, without question, that such
acts were tho acts Of the people themselves; that
there conflict here between the Government
and the people, provided the Legislature confined
themselves within the pale of the Constitution be-
cause this government the government of the
people; they made tit Is theirs. Following out
this argument, he said the Legislature now sitting
had the power 10 repeal The act calling The Conuea-
tion, and to send ts members all home! He did no
suppose they would do soft they did, he knew moi
bu be might take part in small revolution" him.
self but that they had the power, under the COnsli
tuition, he did not question.
Without concluding, Mr.. Parker gave way for an
adjournment.