Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-09-03

monweallh, in the Committee on the mode
Of proceeding 70 the revision Of the Constitution,
moved that the Chairman be requested to state TO
the Convention, that, conserving TO the reference
Of the several portions of the Constitution to
Committees, the members did not consider them
selves as admitting the 'constitnionalitu of the
Contention After. n years of constitutional
history, during which 60 Conventions have been
held IN the States for the formation, revision, or
amendment Of their Constitutions, the original,
inherent, achieved right Of sovereignty of the
people is not fully admitted, even in Massachu-
sets. The history of Massachusetts is marked
like that of other States, by what Mr. Madison
calls the little, ill.tlmed scTuples,' of men, who
indulge, under the mask OF adherence 10 ordin-
airy forms, their secret enmiiy to the substance
commended for
These, In substance, are the amendments in
corporated into the Constitution so far as it is TO
be submitted to the people as whole. They
are contained in first, distinct proposition which
is to be voted upon by ITSELF
A vote fol this first proposition, which was
finally adopted in Convention by vote Of IVA TO
57,-that is TO say, vote for the amended Con-
stitution,-is vote in favor of incorporating into,
or expurging from, the organic law Of the Com
monweath, the following propositions, to wit:
That the sessions of the Legislature shall be
limited to 100 days.
That the compensation Of the members of the
Legislature shall he fixed by general laws; but
no act increasing The ccnpt nsaliGn shall apply TO
the members passing the act.
That the members of the Senate and House
Of Representatives SHALL in all elections vote Uiva
uoce
That the Commonwealth shall be divided into
single districts of contiguous territory, and as
equal In population as may be, for the choice of
Senators.
That the plurality rule shall apply to the cleo
ton Of Senators.
That majority OF the whole Senate shall be
quorum 10 do public business.
That ga towns of less than 1000 inhabitants
shall each have Representatives in each de-
cennial period of ten years.
That 10 towns now partially DISTINGUISHED
shall each have an annual representation in the
House of Representatives.
That towns of 1000 ard less than 5000 inhab-
ilants, shall each be entitled to two Representa-
lives.
That the mean increasing ratio shall be four
thousand inhabitants
That the cities shall be distrcted for the choice
oil Representatlves-'no one district to elect more
than Representatives
That the Legislature of 1856 shall divide the
Commonwealth into forty single districts for the
trcts for The choice of not less than 24O, nor more
than 800 Representatives the districts to be Of
contiguous territory, and as nearly equal may
be, IN the number OF qualified voters IN each dis
trlct; and submit 10 the people at the annual
election IN 1856, plan for district system thus
constituted for their ratification or rejectonr
That 100 members of the House CT Represen-
tatlves shall constitute quorum for doing BUSH
ness
That the titles of HIS ExcELLENcY,' and
His Honor, be expunged from the Constitu-
tion.
That the property qualification of the Govern
or and Lieut. Governor be expunged from the
Constitution
That the Councillors shall be elected by the
people in single districts, by a plurality Of the
votes.
That the records of the Council shall be open
TO the examination of the public.
That Councillors shall not be appointed on any
commission, or to any place, and receive COM
pensation therefor
That the oaths of office shall be administered
to the members of the Council by the President
OF the Senate, in presence Of he SenGte'
That the Secr tary, Treasurer, Auditor, and
Attorney General, shall be chosen by the people
annually, at the general election.
The Judges Of Probate, Registers of Probate,
Sherfs, Commissioners of Insolvency, District
Attorneys, and Clerks Of the Court shall be cleo
ted trieunialy, ty the people of their respective
caunties and districts, and by the plurality rule.
That the Registers ofDeeds, County Treasu-
rers, and County Commissioners shall be elected
at the general election, for three Yeas, by plu-
rahty of the votes.
That the Justices of the Supreme Judicial
Court, and the Justices of such Inferior Courts as
are, or may be, established by law, shall hold
their commissions for ten gears, subject 10 reap
pointment.
That Trial Justices shall be elected by the reo-
pie OF the cities and towns, for the term of three
years.
That the Justices and Clerks of Police Courts
shall be chosen by the people of the cities and
Towns, for The term Of three gears.
That the tax qualification 10 vote for any Ma.
tIonal or State officer shall be abolished.
That all ballots required by law 10 be given at
any national, Stale, county, district, or city Cleo
lion, including the election of Representatives,
Trial Justices, justices and Clerks of Police
Courts, shall be deposited in sealed envelopes.
That the day of The Annual Election shall be
the Tuesday neat after the first Monday Of No
vember.
That the Legislature shall have the power 10
provide loI the election Of State officers, Repre-
sentatives 10 the General Court, and municIpal
officers, by plurality of the votes gwen.
The Malor Generals shall be elected by the
Brgadier General and Field Officers
That the Legislature shall always have full
power and authority "to alter, limit, annul, or
restrain, any Of The powers now vested in the
President and Fellows of Harvard College,
provided the obligations Of contracts be moi i'm
paired -
That the Legislature shall provide for the en-
largement of the School fund, until il shall
amount to tlco millions of dollars, TO be forever
kept "inUiolate" for "fhe improvement of Com.
mon Schools
That the people shall vote on the question of
calling Convention for the revision of the Con-
siituton in 1878, aud in every twentieth year
thereafter; and the Legislature shall submit The
question TO The people at any time on the appica.
ton of one third of the voters voting for the same
at any annual election.
The issue is thus clearly and distinctly made
between this amended Constitution and The Con-
stitutlon Of 1880, with all its complicated amend
mens. This is the precise md exact issnp.