are assessed.We propose further to amend the Declaration of Rights so as to provide, that persons on trial for crimes may be heard by themselves, and counsel ; instead of themselves or counsel as the article now stands.We now propose another amendment, that no person shall suffer imprisonment, or other ignominious punishment, on official information ; nor unless on indictment by a Grand Jury ; except in cases expressly provided for by law. This amendment takes from public prosecuters the common law rights to arraign, of their own authority, any citizen for misdemeanors or crimes without the intervention of a Grand Jury, representing the people of each county.ALTERATION OF THE POLITICAL YEAR. We recommend that there should be ordinarily but one session of the General Court in a year. We believe that more is not necessary ; that the expense of legislation will be diminished ; and that it will be convenient to bring the common and political year into conformity.A necessary consequence of this change, is an alteration of the time of holding elections ; the day, rnot convenient for this purpose, in the opinion of the Convention, is the second Monday of November. We propose that all the elections of State Officers, which are to be made by the people, shall be made on that day. This provision will not lessen the number of days, which, by our present Constitution, must be devoted to elections. It will, we believe, induce a fuller attendance of the people, and a more certain expression of the public voice, in the important duty of choosing public officers. ELECTORS. We are satisfied that the qualifications as now required in Electors, produce some inconveniences, and are liable to somaAfter a patient investigation of this subject, we have concluded that a residence of twelve months within the State, and of six months within the town, or district, next preceding an election, and payment of a State or County Tax therein, constitute an uniform and intelligible rule, as to the right of voting ; and we propose the adoption of this rule, in all elections of State Officers, and the abolition of all other qualifications now required.We believe that the change which we recommend in this respect will relieve Selectmen from much perplexity, and will enable them easily to distinguish between those who have a right to vote, and those who have not. THE SENATE.After the most careful and faithful examination of the principles of the government, we have not found it expedient to change the basis on which the Senate was placed, by the Constitution we have revised. It is admitted that the legislative power should be given to two distinct assemblies, each having an absolute negative on the other.In considering this subject, we have distinguished between the people, of whom we are ourselves a part, and those who may be chosen to legislate. It is the people who are to be secured in their rights and privileges, by a Constitution, and not their public servants. This object can only be effected by a clear and permanent limitation of the power which is to be exercised.The people may impart whatsoever power they see fit. Their security consists in doing this in such manner, that the trust which they create may not be abused, nor the public welfare betrayed. It is therefore wise to provide for frequent elections ; and to require certain qualifications in the elected ; and the concurrence of different legislative branches on all public laws ; and so to constitute those branches, as that no act shall obtain their joint approbation, which is not intended to promotethe common welfare.All free governments of modern times, have found it indispensablc, not only to have two distinct legislative branches, but to rest them on such different foundations, as to preclude, as much as possible, all such dangerous sympathy and union, as may govern and direct the will of a single assembly.If the number of inhabitants be the rule by which the members of the two branches are to
