The Enquirer

MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE.

PROTEST OF THE HOUSE.

We whose names are hereto subscribed, Members of the House of Representatives, do protest against & think it proper and necessary to assign to our constituents and the rest of the good people of this commonwealth, the reasons which influenced our votes against the resolve which prescribes the mode of appointing the Electors of President and Vice-President of the United States by a General Ticket. And for giving our votes in favor of the people in each of the seventeen districts established for the choice of Representatives to Congress: having also the right to choose one elector in each district, and the remaining two electors to be chosen at large by the whole people, and request leave to have the same entered on the journals of the house --We are opposed to the General Ticket, for the whole number of Electors--

1st. Because it defeats the first principle of the Elective Franchise, which is, that the elector should know and be acquainted with the character and sentiments of the candidate for whom he votes: which, in a territory, so extensive as that of Massachusetts, and where the candidates are to reside at a distance so remote from each other, we consider impossible.

2d. Because it is repugnant to the habits and usage of the people of this commonwealth, who, ever since the adoption of their present constitution and from the earliest period of their history as a people, have never been accustomed to an election by a general ticket of the whole people, where more than one officer of the same rank and kind were to be chosen.

3d. Because this mode is calculated to open the door to intrigue and imposition on the people.

4th. Because the mode is fallacious in the face of it. It locates one elector in each of the seventeen districts on the principles that, such district is to be represented in the electoral college; whereas, unless the majority of such District be of the same political sentiments with the majority of the whole commonwealth, there will be selected from among them a candidate in opposition to their sentiments and wishes.

5th. Because the advance of this novel mode of appointing the electors openly avowed their intentions to be, to oppose with the whole strength of the state, the re-election of the present Chief Magistrate of the union.

[An inference was drawn from the above avowal, which was offensive to the House, and for that reason, we omit publishing it.]

6th. Because this mode will deprive one party of their due weight in the appointment of the First Magistrate of the union, who is the common president of the national sovereignty of the whole people; entitled to representation in sections of equal numbers, as well as of the state sovereignties, entitled to a representation of two Electors in the electoral college of each state.

7th. Because, in a state like Massachusetts, where political parties are so nearly balanced, this mode must necessarily produce great political heat and asperity in the public mind, and has a tendency to subvert that harmony and tranquility so essential to the happiness of society. We are in favour of voting by seventeen distinct Districts.

1st. Because a choice in this mode is, in our opinion, more fair, more consonant to the spirit of the constitution, less subject to the excitement of party heat, and agreeable to the wishes of the people of Massachusetts

2d. Because the people of this state have been accustomed, ever since the adoption of their constitution, to choose the Senators of our own state, and Representatives to Congress, by districts, and they have never yet found any inconveniences resulting from that mode, or ever complained against it.

Signed by 101.