Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-08-08
AN Address
FROM THE CONsTIrUTIoNAL CONVENTION
TO THE PEOPLE OF MAssACHUs ETTs.
The Convention eff Delegates. assembled by

your authority, and directed TO revise the Const-
tuition Of the Commonwealth, has now closed its
labors; end it seeks only TO commend and COM
init the result to your consideration and final
Judgment. The necessity for the Convention
was great, and its labors have been arduous and
protracted. As your delegates, we have sought
for the principles of freedom in the ancient inst-
buttons of the State; but we have thought it wise
also TO accept the teachings and experience of
nearly century OF independent existence. II
has then been our purpose to unite in one system
OF organic law the principles of American repub-
llcan Institutions, and the experiences of other
free States, all contemplated in the light derived
from history and usages of Massachusetts.
And first of ALL we think it proper to present
for your consideration complete system of
game law. The present Constitution was adopted
| IN 1850, and there have since been added thir-
teen important amendments. BY these amend
| ments, much of the original text is already annul-
led, and 1t Is only by careful and critical anal
! ysIs and comparison that the existing provisions,
can be determined. This ought not 10 be- Con-
stltutionul laws should be plain that they may be
| lmpartlally interpreted and faithfully executed
THAT every man may at all times find his security
! In them." We have not, then, thought 1t wise,
or even proper, to preserve as part Of the Con.
stitution, provisions which have long since been
annuled; nor do we feel justified in proposing
/ new specific amendments whose adoption will
render the fundamental law of the Common
wealth more difficult to be understood and less
certain in its requirements.
We have therefore taken what remains un-
changed of the Constitution of 1880, and the
subsequent amendments, preserving the original
language wherever 1t appeared practicable, as
the basis OF new Constitution, and incorporated
Herewith such of the resolutions oc this Conven-
ton are necessary 10 give to the whole at once,
a pnm oh nd
has been our purpose; and if our view of duty is
correct, we are entirely justified in submitting so
much of our work as will give TO the people Of
Massachusetts complete system OF organic law,
as one proposition for your adoption and ratlfca.
ton. 1t is undoubtedly true, that when amend
ments are specific and not Numerous, they should
be separately submitted 10 the judgment of the
peoples but this mode becomes npracticable in
the formation of a government, or the
thorough revision Of an old one Our attention
has been necessarily directed TO every provision
of the Constitution, and but one chapter is pre-
served in It's original form. Ironly remained for
US either TO submit our work, to be added TO the
old Constitution specific amendments, with
the conviction that their ratification would rem
der your form of government more complicated
than 1t now is, or else to eubody all of the old
and new that appears necessary to the safe and
harmonious action Of the system, and present it
\. DIS 'ttle constitution OF MASSACHUSETTS,
This we now do, and we invite you TO consider
that while government is es. entail to the safety
and happiness of each individual, it must neces-
sarily happen that 1t cannot be in every part
/ alike acceptable to all. s'We may not expect,'
said the founders of the Commonwealth, ''lo agree
| in perfect system Of government; this is not the
lot OF mankind The great end of government is
to promote the supreme good of human society,"
We commend the Constitution to you, not
as being perfect. but greatly to be preferred to
the existing frame of government. 1t declares
| the rights and liberties essential to the freedom of
the people; it contains, as we believe, frame
work arranged according to reason and correct
analogies, and it embodles all the Fundamental
provisions necessary TO just administration of
every department OF the government.
You will naturally examine with care the char.
acter of the changes we have proposed. We
have thought 1t necessary to make provision for
the purpose ofhmiting the sessions Of the General
Court, to one hundred days, and to require that
the pay Of its members shall be fixed by standing
| laws.
AT present, the members of the Senate are
chosen by the several counties which elect from
one to six Senators, upon general ticket We
have provided for the division of the State into
forty districts, of equal population, and each emil
! tied to elect one Senator.
The basis of the House of Representatives has
been a subject Of careful and anxious deliberations
/ Differences Of opinion existed among as; but
majority of more than one hundred members de-
! termined to preserve the system of town repre-
sonaton, under which Massachusetts has existed
so long, and prospered so WELL We have then
| based the House Of Representatives upon the mu-
ncipal institutions of the State, having reference,
so far as practicable to their population. By the
! proposed system, towns containing less than one
thousand inhabitants, are entitled 10 elect rep.
resentatlve for the year when the valuation Of es-
tates is settled, and one in addition, annually, for
five years out of every decennia period. Towns
| having population of one thousand and not more
than four thousand inhabitants, are entitled to
elect a representative every year; towns of more
than four thousand and less than eight thousand,
will elect two representatives. towns of eight
thousand and less than twelve thousand, will elect
three representatives,, while towns and cities of
twelve thousand inhabitants, will elect four repre-
sentatives, and one additional representative for
each addition of four thousand to their population.
We do rot claim that this system, separately con-
sdered, is precisely equal; but if it is in some de-
gree favorable to The rural districts, the loss sus-
tanned by the large towns and cities is in fair
measure compensated by the manifest advantages
| accorded TO them in The Constitution of the Coun-
Gil and the Senate. The inequality of representa-
ton between particular towns, when tested sole
| ly by population, may in some cases apparently
be great; but when the rights Of different interests
and different sections Of the Commonwealth are
considered in connection with the whole system
of elective government, the basis of the House
cannot be deemed unequal or unjust The SEN
ate and Council are based upon population, rath
er than voters, by which the inhabitants of the
cities and large towns have influence in these two
important departments of the government, quite
dispropolionate to their just elective power.
No human government Can attain TO theoretic
accuracy; and IN state where pursuits, habits,
and interests are various, it certainly is not the
part of wisdom to place unlimited power in the
hands of any. We invite you to consider that the
Governor represents the voters Of the Slate that
the Council and Senate represent population,
without any reference to voters, and a conse.
quence that these two departments of the gov
eminent wilF'eyenually be in the control of the
cities and chief towns; and finally, that we have
sought only to to the several districts and