Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-06-11
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
THURSDAY. June 9.


Mr.. Parker of Cambridge, continued his re-
marks upon The amendment of the gentleman
from Prts6eid. IL the objection raised 10 the
amendment, had any force, viz that it would en-
danger the whole principle, he conceived that the
principle should not be adopted at ALL and the ac-
ton of the people would show that they did not
wish any change in the matter of qualifications
But he did not believe there was any ground for
the Objectionable principle 10 its fullest extent,
had been in operation for City years in neigh
boring Stale, and no difficulty had been found to
result from it,
Mr. Davis of Worcester, opposed the amend
ment, and inquired why, with the same propriety
it was not provided for the extension of the prin-
ciple to school districts and city affairs.
Messrs. Tyler of Pawtucket and Adams of
Lowell, also opposed the amendment, the latter
avowing that he was in favor of the principal of
the fullest extend yet in view ola practical result,
he should be obliged TO vote against it, lie came
10 the Convention as member of The Reform
party Of Massachusetts, but within few DAYS It
had appeared that every member Of the Conven-
ton Reiormer, and he even feared that he
| should turn out quite Conservative in compar-
ison with the radicalism of the gentleman from
Cambridge. This Convention was called for The
| purpose OF correcting certain great abuses and as
he did not hope for another Convention in his day,
he did not wish to risk the continuance of exising
evils by attempting to carry the principle TO
greater exteat than would be sanctioned by the
! people.
The debate was further continued by Messrs
Bradford Of Essex, Bishopof Lenox and Schouler
| of Boslon,-the first two IN opposition, and the
latter IN favor ofthe amendment
! Mr. Weston Of Duxbury, then withdrew his
amendment for the insertion ofthe word ssparisb''
among the list Of offices TO which should be ap
| piled the secret ballot.
IT. i Il.
ment of Mr.. Briggs, by striking out all after the
word "national' and inserting ''or State officers
whose election by the people is provided for in
this Constitution so that the whole resolve
should read as follows:-
''ResoIued, That the Constitution be so amend
ed that the payment of tax shall not be required
qualification 10 vote for any national or State
officers whose election by the people is provided
for in This Constitution
Mr.. Hood of Lynn, advocating the taking ofthe
question, it ordered, and the yeas and nays
being demanded, the amendment was adopted by
yeas 2l0, nays 1875. The resolve, as amended,
was then ordered to a second reading by 206 to
So.
The second resolve, establishing the term of
residence for voting at three months, was rejected,
in accordance with the recommendation of the
Committee of the Whole, without debate
The third resolve, providing that no person
shall lose or gain residence by reason Of his be-
! ing employed in the army navy, or In naviga-
ton, or from being student at any seminary,
was explained by Mr.. Walker of North Brook6eld,
opposed by Mr.. Aldrch of Barre, and favored by
Messrs. Bishop of Lenox, and Davis of Plymouth,
the latter of whom moved to amend the resolve
by adding the words, sand no person removing
his domicil from one town or city to another with
In this Commonwealth, shall, by reason of such re-
| moval, be deemed to have lost his residence in
the former for the purpose aforesaid until six
months after his REMOVAL which was adopted.
1873 to So,
Mr. Dana for Manchester, opposed the resolve,
as amended, in an able legal argument
Mr. HaIlett for Wibraham, replied in an inter-
On motion Of MIR Griswod for Ewing, the re-
solve was recommted.
The fourth resolve-relative to the secret bal
lot-was then taken up, when Mr.. Bates of
| Plymouth, moved to amend by striking out the
word ssmunicipa,'' in the list of elections to
which the secret ballot principle should apply
MIR Walker Of North Brook6eld, moved 10 sub
stitute the word ''city'' for ''muncipal'
Debates ON these motions ensued between
Messrs Bates, Walker, Upton of Boston, Ed
wards of Southampton, and Morey of Boston.
Without taking any question adjourned.
FRIDAY, June TO-
Mr. Sletsou Of Braintree submitted an order,
that the Committee TO whom was submitted so
much Of the Constitution as is included in the first
eight articles in chapter g. consider the expeden-
cy of providing in The Constitution that no Presi-
dent, Director, Cashier, or other officer OF any
banking Institution of this State, shall be eligible
to the office Of Governor, Lieut. Governor, Sena-
tor, or Representative TO the General Court, so
long as he shall be such President Director,
Cashier, or other officer, Adopted.
| ~ ocH W.. r. Al
Convention proceeded to take up the orders of
day, and continued the debate on the resolve and
amendments concerning the secret ballot
MIR Walker of N. Brooktield advocated the
amendment offered by him, to insert the word
CITY, on the ground that in city elections only
single ticket in State election, is used, and
consequently no inconvenience would follow the
use of the envelope, as would be experienced in
towns where officers are frequently elected singIy.
y Mr. Hurburt Of Sudbury followed on the same
side of the question, and was succeeded in oppo-
stion by Mr. Morey Of Boston.
Mr. Abbott of Lowell said there were very
many cogent reasons why the distinction should
be made-one Of which was that in cities more
than 10 towns the population was more liable to
be influenced and coerced.
Mr. IIard of Boston regretted that the amend
ment of bis colleague (Mr Schouler) providing
simply that the voting should be done by secret
ballot, had not been adopted.
Mr. Thompson Of Charlestown supported, and
Messrs. Sargent Of Cambridge, and Carter Of
Chicopee opposed the amendment.
Mr. Bird of Walpole, moved the previous ques-
ton, and the same was ordered.
The amendment Of Mr. W alker was then adopt
ed by a vote of 1873 to g.
The following is the form Of the resolution ms
amended and passed to second reading by the
Convention.
|
Resolved, That all ballots required by law 10
be given at any National, State, County, or City
election, shall be deposited in sealed envelopes
of uniform size and appearance, 10 be furnished
by the Commonwealth
On motion Of Mr. Wilson of Natics, the Con-
yentlon resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole, and took up the consideration of the re-
solves IN reference TO the Secretary and Treasu-
rer, Attorney General, Solicitor General, &c.
In Committee.-lu Committee of the Whole,
Mr. Grlswod of Ewing, in the Chair, Mr. Bishop
OF Lenox, Chairman Of the Standing Committee,
aIuf n1t has II -