Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-06-09
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Atiey7,eos Session.-The Convention met at 8
O'Clock.
Order adopted=-on motion of Mr.. Tyler, of
Pawtucket, fer inquiry into the expediency Of
providing that all deeds for real estate, shall be
recorded in the several towns where such real es-
tate is Situated that the town clerks shall be
registers of deeds; and that good and sufficient
safes shall be provided for the keeping of the re-
cords
Mr. Earle of Worcester, submitted an amend
ment to the resolves of the House of Representa-
tives, providing that towns of 2500 inhabitants
or less shall be entitled to one representative -
of 5000 inhabitants, two; of 5000, three, and so
on increasing the ratio by 500 in each case, over
the previous number required for an additional
representative. Referred to the Committee of
the Whole on that subject.
The convention again went into Committee of
the Whole, Mr. Dana of Manchester, in the chair,
the qualifications of voters.
Mr. Hooper, of Fall River advocated the
solves, and gave history of the legislation on
the subject of the ballot since 1889.
Mr. Walker of North Brookfeld, denied that
the secret ballot was new thing-it was recog-
Missed in the Constitution of lS20-and the only
change in the recent application of the principle,
was in adapting it to the circumstances of the
times. At that time, written votes being used,
no other secrecy was required; but when the use
of printed votes prevailed, it became necessary to
adopt additional provisions to secure the end de-
signed. Mr. Walker related some of the abuses
making the secret ballot necessary, and gave the
origin and progress of voting in sealed envelopes
In reply to Mr. Lord of Salem, he said that he
wanted the secret ballot for his own protection.
Mr.. Hubbard, of Boston, opposed the resolves,
replying to Mr.. Walker, during which he said
that gentleman the first man he had heard
advocate the secret ballot for his own protection
He would not, however, object to the last resolve
if so amended, as TO leave it optional to vote Sc
cretly or openly, He proposed at some time to
move to strike out the first resolve.
MIR. French of Berkeley, advocated the resolves.
Mr.. Morss of Newburyport, of the committee.
gave the reasons which induced him to differ with
his political associates, in favorng the secret bal
lot. He did not doubt that upon the formation
of the constitution, the property qualification
was wise measure, but the occasion for it has
passed away in the progress of the times. While
he did not agree with the remarks of MANY who
had advocated the secret ballot, he had no obiec-
ton to the measure, so long as any number of
people required it.
Mr. rockingham of Charlestown, advocated the
resolves as whole. In relation 10 the last one he
said, the principle Of the ballot was fully rec
ognized by most of The distinguished men in the
earlier days Of our government, and the principal
which led 10 the rejection OF the first ConstiIu.
ton was in It's failure to recognize this principle
John Sullivan, in a letter the subject of bribng
voters, strongly advocated the secret ballot the bal.
lot rolled up and sealed, practissd at the time in
Pennsylvania. Mr. rockingham replied TO some of
the affections oil Mr. Lord Of Salem.
MIR Houghton, Of Sterling, opposed the last re.
solve.
Mr. Cummings, Of Ware, moved to amend the first
resolve that tax shall be required for quali6-
cation in any elections. After some remarks by Mr.
Hubbard OF Boston, relative TO The views of the
committee on the resolve. and by Mr. Hooper of Fall
River, who said that on reflection he should oppose
the amendment, il was withdrawn.
Mr. Hallett, of Wilbraham, referred to the intro.
ducion Of the ballot box in the early hisory of the