Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-05-28
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

FRIDAY, May 81.
Mr.. Griswold of Erving, from the Committee
on the House of Representatives, &C., reported
IN part. that il is expedient TO amend the ConstI-
tuition so that the Representation IN the House
shall be apportioned Ihus:-Every town or city
may elect one representative; every one contain
ing 5000 inhabitants may elect two; and 5000 In
habltants shall be the number requisite for each
additional presentatiye-provlded that no city
or town shall be entitled TO more than thirty Rep
resentatives.
That the Senate at lis first session after the
adoption of this provision, shall make and pub
lish the apportionment for the election of Repre-
senlaiives upon the census of 1850, and that the
Senate meeting first after each additional census
shall make similar apporlionment, increasing,
however, the number of inhabitants emitting
towns to additional Representatives over two,
so as to retainthe whole number of Representa-
tves as nearly as possible the same as it shall
prove to be under the first apporonnlent
MIR Hale OF Boston, from the same Committee
submitted minority report, concluding with
resolve Gas substitute for those of The majority
providing foi the equal division of The State into
equal districts for the election Of 240 members Of
the House, and that each Of the 40 Senatorial dis
tricts shall be divided according populations, as
equally as may be-, into two Representative dis
trlots, each TO be entitled TO three Representa-
tiVes.
Both these reports were referred to the Com
mittee Of the W hole and ordered to be printed.
On motion Of MIR Cressy of Hamilton, the Com
mittee on The Frame of Government was directed
TO consider the expediency of providing that each
member ofthe Legislature shall receive pay as
The Legislature may determine, but that no in
crease OF compensation shall take effect during
the session in which the increase may be made
On motion OF Mr. Dana of Manche sleT, the Com
mittee on the Declaration Of Rights was ordered
to consider the expediency of declaring the right
OF every person having claim against the Com
monwealth to judicial remedy therefor.
On motion Of Mr. Butler Of Lowell, the Com
mlitee on the loan of the State credit was in
structed 10 consider the expediency Of providing
that the credit for moneys of the Commonwealth
shall not be loaned for the prosecution Of auy pri-
waite enterprise after July l, 1855.
The Convention then went into Committee of
the Whole-Mr Sumner of Marshield, in the
Chair-upon the orders OF The day.
The first matter was the report and resolves on
the subject of elections by plurality Of votes-
the pending question being on the amendment Of
fered yesterday by MIR Bates of Plymouth, to ex-
cept from the plurality system the offices of Gov
ernor. Lieut.. Governor, Secretary, Treasurer,
Auditor, and Attorney General
Messrs Hale of Boston, Hooper of Fall River,
Briggs of Puslield, Hall of HaverhiIl, Schouler
of Boston, and Aspinwall of Brookine, continued
the debate IN favor Of the resolve, and were re-
piled TO by Nessrs Butler and Abbott of Lowell,
Allen of Worcester, Hallelt of WIIbraham, and
Davis OF Worcester, on the other side.
Mr. knowllon Of Worcester. moved to amend
the amendment, by providing that in elections of
Governor, Lieut. Governor, Senators, aud Repre-
sentatlves, majority of votes shall be necessary
10 a choice, and that all other officers shall be
chosen by either a plurality or majority vote, as
the Legislature may determine, unless specially
provided for in the Constitution. This was ruled
10 be out of order at present.
Mr. Gray of Boston, commenced a speech in
reply TO MIR Davis of Worcester, but gave way to
motion by Mr. Noyes Of Newbury, that the COM
mlttee rise and report progress.
This was carried, and the Committee had leave
TO sit again.
Mr. Hood of Lynn, from the Committee on the
order of business, &C., reported an order that
from and after Monday next, The Convention will
hold two sessions daily, commencing at 10 A. M.
ami p. NJ, Accepted
Mr. Bates of Plymouth, moved that when the
Convention adjourn, it be TO half past three this
afternoon. And at quarter past two, the Con-
yention adjourned.