Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-09-02
The Constitutional Convention - he
Amended Constitution.
AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY
Hon. HENRY WILSON,
10 the Citizens Of Mark, Aug. 20, 1853

Police Courts of The several cities and town are
appointed by the Governor, by and with the con-
sent Of the Council. Article eight of chapter
eight, provides that,
JUSTICES AND CLERKS OF POLICE COURTS.
"shali be elected by the legal voters of the sever
al cities and towns for term of three years. -
This amended Constitution takes from the Gever-
nor the appointment of these local officers. and
gives their election to the people interested in
their appointment and in the administration of the
dulles of their offices.
The Constitution requires as a qualification for
vote in ''any election Of Governor, Lient Cor.
eFnor, or Senator'S or Representatives, the
payment of sang State or county tar, aohich
shall, acSthln ttco gears neat preceding such
election, hare been assessed upon ham IN anu
toun or district Of this Commonaoeaith.' . The
Convention after full and gerv able debate,
adopted, by vote of 206 to 65, a resolution abo-
ishing the
TAX QUALIFICATION TO VOTE
':tor any national or Slate qtfcers auhose cleo
ION By the people is prouided for in The Consti
tution." If the amended Constitution is adopted
lis ratified by the people--this tax qualification
this relic the past-will be expunged from
the Constitution OF the Democratic Common
wealth. That constitutional provision, which
denies TO the poor man, who cannot pay little
patry tax BILL the right 10 vote, should be forever
blo.ed out of the Constitution of a Christian
Commonwealth. The man of tell. who has mo.
thing but his ability TO toll upon which a tax can
be assessed-he man who has reared family
contributed hundreds of dollars by indirect AK
alton TO support the government of his country,
who may have given his blood TO the defence Of
his country, who has paid his taxes cheerfuIIy for
years, shall not, as age begins to cast its shadows
over hln-as his arms begins 10 fail and his step
to tot'er, be degraded by dislranchisement, be-
cause he Is, IN his Old age, compelled drink the
bitter cup of poverty. Poverty is bitter enou0b
10 be borne wilhou. the degradation of dislran-
chlsement Men should, and they will, pay their
poll~iaxes if they are able to do so; but if they
are not able, they should not have their rights
denied them, because they have the misfortune
10 be poor. The disfrdnchisement of the poor
man, pressed by misfortunes, is an act of the
grossest Injustice. The ratification of this amend.
ed Constitution will put the stamp Of reprobation
upon the injustice which would disfranchse the
man upon whom relentless poverty has laid lis
iron hand.
Suffrage is a right which should be sacredly
guarded. No man should hoM this sacred right
subject to the mistakes Of board of assessors =
Hundreds-lhousands of men are yearly omitted
IRON the tax lists by the assessors. 1t is in the
pV"er vi Tue assessors, ana the temptation Is
great IN closely contested towns, in times of in
tense party excitement, to omit from the tax lists
the names OF persons who may vote against the
dominant party in those towns. When persons
60 to the polls to vote, if their names have been
left off The tax lists, whether the mistakes were
accidental or by design they must lose their
votes-there can be no remedy for them.
Tins tax qualification compels the party man
ayers 10 raise and expend thousands of dollars an
nualy, to pay taxes for men unable 10 pay, or
degraded enough to permit their taxes TO be paid
by their friends when they are able to pay them
themselves, or corrupt enough to vote for those
who will pay them. This tax qualification tends
TO degrade and couupt-to debauch the people
to make our elections depend upon money!
Hundreds OF men vote for the party that will pa
their taxes. Men will give money TO pay taxes.
who would scorn to give money to buy votes
men Will allow Their taxes to be paid, who would
shudder at the idea of selling their votes The
ratification OF this amended Constitution by The
people will tend to the publication of the politica
affairs OF the State, for by the abolition W this
tax qualification the temptation to give or take
money to pay taxes will be taken away.
The abolition Of the tax qualification to vote
will not make these institutions Of learning open
to ai-these roads free to ai-these asylnms
where poverty Is solaced in lis affections, where
the weary sons and daughters of toll upon whose
heads the mlSforunes OF life have fallen find
refuge from The storms of lile-any the less dear
to The poor men, who in the past have freely con-
trbuted portion Of the fruits of their toll TO their
maintenance. "lhe obligations of citizens"
TO quote the language of The Address Of The Con
ventlon 10 The People, ''Io contribute 10 the pub
llc expenses by assessment Of taxes are not in any
degree chHnsed."
BY The provisions Of the Constitution and laws of
the Commonwealth, the Secretary of State The
Ireasurer aud the Auditor, are annually chosen by
the Two Houses, in joint ballot The Attorney Gen.
era Is appointed by the Governor, by and with the
consent Of The Council, TO connne in office during
the pleasure Of the Executive. Article first chap.
ter Seueah OF the amended Constitution provides that
the
sEcRETA RY, TREASURER, AUDITOR, AND AT.
ToRhEY GENERAL, SHALL BE CHOSEN BY THE
PEOPLE ANNUALLY
son the Tuesday nert atter he first Myadav in No
RENDER; and they sa hoid thar offices respectively for
one year ne1t footoiag Tie first Wednesday, il. The sue
ceedag January, and until Their Successors are chosen
and qualified IN their SEATS
Judges of Probate, Registers Of Probate Sheriff.,
Commissioners Of Insolvency, District Attorneys,
are appointed by the Governor, by and with the con.
sent ot the Council. These aficers-except the
judges hold their commissions at the will Of the
Executive. Their appointment increases The pat.
tonnage OF the Executive. He MAY remove these of.
GERS at pleasure, without cause. These officers are
often appointed solely ior political reasons, and re.
moved for the same reasons. These are county and
district officers, and The people Of the several coun
lies aud districts better qualified 10 isnge of the
fitness Of candIdales Tor these local Offices. than The
Executive can possibly be. The wishes Of the peo.
pie should be consulted in these appointments, and
not the wishes Of the Executive, or the sopposed in
teresls Of party. Men who fill these offices are
brought into direct intercourse with the people and
il they are able, faithful, and honest officers. II {
people will continue them in office, If they have The
power TO DO So. Now, al every change Of admius.
traton, these 0ilceisno matter how faithfully lhev
may have performed their dnties--no matter what
may be the wishes OF the people Of their counties or
disricsare removed for political reasons, to make
room for the friends Of the State administration -
hs has been 81, is now, and will continue to b.
80, so long these Offices are GIed 10y the Execu.
i've appointment. So long as these offices are filed
10y Executive appointment, oifice-serkers will, at
every change Of administrations flock around the
Council Chamber, pressing for place at the hand Of
the Governor. The whole system Of Executive pat
ronage is degrading and oorrnptng, aud il should
A In tfa1s "A a a.