xt7m639k6k0z https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7m639k6k0z/data/mets.xml Massachusetts United States. Works Progress Administration Lowe, Robert C.(Robert Chapin), 1907- Lander, David S. 1936 12 p.; 27 cm. UK holds archival copy for ASERL Collaborative Federal Depository Program libraries. Call Number Y 3.W 89/2:36/M 38 books English Washington DC: Works Progress Administration This digital resource may be freely searched and displayed in accordance with U. S. copyright laws. Massachusetts Works Progress Administration Publications Public welfare -- Law and legislation -- Massachusetts Social workers -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Massachusetts Constitutional law -- Massachusetts Analysis of Constitutional Provisions Affecting Public Welfare in the State of Massachusetts text Analysis of Constitutional Provisions Affecting Public Welfare in the State of Massachusetts 1936 1936 2019 true xt7m639k6k0z section xt7m639k6k0z " f" " I I H W'YERSITIOFK‘T'ITUWW \ I I
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' WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION
HARRY L. HOPKINS, ADMINISTRATOR
CORRINGTON GILL HOWARD B. MYERS, DIRECTOR
ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR DIVISION OF SOCIAL RESEARCH
O
_ ANALYSIS OF CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
AFFECTING PUBLIC WELFARE IN THE STATE OF
' MASSACHUSETTS
' ITEM
0 , '

 V PREPARED BY _
ROBERT C. Lowe AND DAVID S. LANDER
LEGAL RESEARCH SECTION ‘
UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF
. A. Ross ECKLER, COORDINATOR OF SPECIAL INQUIRIES
DIVISION OF SOCIAL RESEARCH .

 Preface

This bulletin is one of a series presenting
State constitutional provisions affecting public wel—
fare, prepared to supplement the State by State di-
gests of public welfare laws so as to provide in ab-
stract form the basis for the public welfare services
of the several States.

The provisions quoted are those concerned
directly with public welfare administration and such
others as may substantially affect a public welfare
program, even though only indirectly related. It
would be impossible to consider within the limits of
this study every remotely connected constitutional
provision. The indirectly related provisions in-

. eluded, therefore, have been restricted to those con-
cerning finance, legislation, and the methods of con-
stitutional amendment.

An attempt has been made, by a careful se—

' lection of the most recent cases decided by the high-
est courts of the States, to indicate wherever possi-
ble how these provisions have been construed. These
cases are included in footnotes appended to the con-
stitutional provisions shown.

It is hoped that these abstracts will be
useful to those interested in public welfare ques-
tions in indicating how State and local public wel-
fare administration may be affected by constitutional
powers and limitations.

 1232M}.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Incidence of Responsibility for Welfare Program 1

Financial Powers and Limitations
. Taxation and Assessments 2
Exemptions 5
Borrowing and Use of Credit 5
_ other Income '7
Appropriations and Expenditures 8
Provisions Affecting Legislation 8
, Constitutional Amendment or Revision 12

 I
I

Massachusetts 1_
L -

. ANALYSIS OF CONSTITUTIONAI. PROVISIONS AFFECTING
i PUBLIC WEIFAEEfl__I§/§_SSACHUSETTS 1/
F I. Incidence of Responsibility for Welfare Program
i A. And further, full power and authority are hereby given
1 and granted to the said general court, from time to time, to make,
3 ordain, and establish, all manner of wholesome and reasonable orders,
a laws, statutes, and ordinances, directions and instructions, either
i with penalties or without; so as the same be not repugnant or contrary
E to this constitution, as they shall judge to be for the good and wel-
f fare of this commonwealth, and for the government and ordering thereof,
E and of the subjects of the same, and for the necessary support and
' defence of the government thereof; . . . 5/
V 1. Constitution (1780), with all amendments to November 15, 1936.
i All citations to paragraphs are to Michie's Annotated Laws of
Massachusetts (1933).

2. Constitution, Par. 36; Pt. II, Ch. I, Sec. I, Art. IV. '

The General Court of Massachusetts is the legislative body
consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Consti-
tution, Par. 53; Pt. II, Ch. I, Sec. I, Art. XI.

. "Paupers" are not eligible to vote. Constitution, Par. 105; -
Amendments, Art. III (1821).

The power granted by this article is frequently referred to
as the police power of the Legislature. "The nature of the police
power and its extent, as applied to conceivable cases, cannot
easily be stated with exactness. It includes the right to legis-
late in the interest of the public health, the public safety, and
the public morals. If the power is to be held within the limits
of the field thus defined, the words should be interpreted
broadly and liberally. If we are to include in the definition,
as many judges have done, the right to legislate for the public
welfare, this term should be defined with some strictness, so as

_ not to include everything that might be enacted on grounds of
mere expediency." Commonwealth vs. Strauss, 191 Mass. 545,
78 N. E. 156 (1906).

\ In a recent case the massachusetts court said: "This court
has never undertaken to define that (the police) power. It may
be put forth in aid of the public health, the public safety,
the public morals and the public welfare. It covers a vast
field". General Outdoor Advertising Company vs. Department of
Public Works, — Mass. -, 193 N. E. 799, 813 (1935).

 i
2. Massachusetts \
. f
I. Incidence of Responsibility for Welfare Program (Cont 'd) .
B. The maintenance and distribution at reasonable rates, ‘
during time of war, public exigency, emergency or distress, of a 8
sufficient supply of food and other common necessaries of life and '
the providing of shelter, are public functions, and the commonwealth )
and the cities and towns therein may take and may provide the same }
for their inhabitants in such manner as the general court shall
determine. g/ ' §
1
II. Financial Powers and Limitations )
A. Taxation and Assessments f
(1) State '
(a) And further, full power and authority are hereby
given and granted to the said general court . . . to impose and levy
proportional and reasonable assessments, rates, and taxes, upon all the ’
inhabitants of, and persons resident, and estates lying, within the ,
said commonwealth; and also to impose and levy, reasonable duties and
excises, upon any produce, goods, wares, merchandise, and commodities, ‘
whatsoever, brought into, produced, manufactured, or being within the '
same 5/; to be issued and disposed of by warrant, under the hand of the
3. Constitution, Par. 149; Amendments, Art. 47 (1917).
4. Under this section there are two separate forms of taxation, prop-
erty and excise. Property taxes must be "proportional" which in
the case of general taxes means that the proportion paid by each .
taxpayer shall bear the same ratio to the amount to be raised that
the value of his property bears to the total taxable value, and in
‘ case of a tax for local improvement means that it must be appor—
tioned according to the benefits received; Excise taxes need only
be "reasonable". In re Opinion of the Justices, In re Taxation,
220 mass. 613, 108 N. E. 570 (1915).
A tax on incomes derived from intangible personal property is
a "property tax" not an "excise tax", since a tax on the income
from property is a tax on the property itself. A statute which
assesses such a tax on a basis other than the value of the property
is contrary to this section because the tax is not proportional.
Ibid, see page 4, footnote 6. ,
A tax on the net incomes of domestic corporations is an ex-
cise tax, not a property tax, because it is a tax on the privilege
of doing business by the corporation. Macallen Company vs. Common-
wealth, 264 Mass. SES, 163 N. E. 75 (1928).
On appeal to t 9 Supreme Court of the United States, this tax
was held unconstitutional insofar as it levied on the net income
received from tax exempt securities. Macallen Company vs. Common-
wealth of Massachusetts, 279 U. S. 620, 49 Supreme Court Reporter,
432 (1929).
- (Footnote forwarded)

 Massachusetts 3;
. II. Financial Powers and Limitations (Cont’d)
A. Taxation and Assessments (Cont'd)
(1) State (Cont'd)
governor of this commonwealth for the time being, with the advice and
consent of the council, for the public service in the necessary defence
and support of the government of the said commonwealth, and the pro-
tection and preservation of the subjects thereof, according to such
acts as are or shall be in force within the same. 5/
(Footnote #4 - Continued)

A statute, taxing sales of tangible personal property or commod-
ities based upon a percentage of the sale price, is an excise tax,
not a property tax, and valid. It makes no difference whether the
tax finally rests upon the buyer or the seller. In re Opinion of
the Justices, 282 Mass. 619, 186 N. E. 490 (1953).

A license tax on motor vehicles is an excise tax and valid
under this section. Opinion of the Justices, 250 Mass. 591, 148
N. E. 889 (1925).

An inheritance tax statute which imposes a tax on property
passing as a legacy, inheritance or by other succession, is not a
tax on property but is an excise tax. The privilege of trans-
mitting and receiving property on the owners' death is a "commodity"
within the meaning of this section, and an excise tax may be laid
upon this privilege. Minot vs. Winthrop, 162 Mass. 113, 58 N. E.

. 512 (1894).

Inheritance tax statute held valid. Boston Safe Deposit and

Trust Company vs. Commissioner of Corporations and Taxations,
- 267 Mass. 240, 166 N. E. 729 (1929).
5. Constitution, Par. 56; Pt. II, Ch. I, Art. IV.

Money raised by taxation can be used only for public purposes
and not for the advantage of private individuals. In re Opinion of
the Justices, 231 Mass. 603, 122 N. E. 263 (1919).

The establishment and maintenance of public parks, reservations,
and bathing beaches are "public purposes". Salisbury Land and Im~
provement Company vs. Commonwealth, 215 mass. 571, 102 N. E. 619
(1913)

Public education is clearly a public purpose. Knights vs.
Treasurer and Receiver General, 237 Mass. 495, 150 N. E. 60 (1921).

_ The building of a city subway is a public purpose. Prince vs.
Crocker, 166 Mass. 547, 44 N. E. 446 (1896).

A statute, granting a gratuity to veterans of the Civil War,
is within the taxing power of the General Court because it is an
appropriation for a public purpose. In re Opinion of the Justices,
211 Mass. 608, 98 N. E. 538 (1912).

 4. Massachusetts
II. Financial Powers and Limitations (Cont'd)
‘ A. Taxation and Assessments (Cont'd) .
(1) State (Cont'd)

(b) Full power and authority are hereby given and
granted to the general court to impose and levy a tax on income in the
manner hereinafter provided. Such tax may be at different rates upon
income derived from different classes of property, but shall be levied
at a uniform rate throughout the commonwealth upon incomes derived from
the same class of property. The general court may tax income not derived
from property at a lower rate than income derived from property, and may
grant reasonable exemptions and abatements. Any class of property the
income of which is taxed under the provisions of this article may be
exempted from the imposition and levying of proportional and reasonable
assessments, rates and taxes as at present authorized by the constitution.
This article shall not be construed to limit the power of the general
court to impose and levy reasonable duties and excises. 6/

(c) Full power and authority are hereby given and
granted to the general court to prescribe for wild or forest lands
such methods of taxation as will develop and conserve the forest '
resources of the commonwealth. Z/

(2) Counties and Other Local Units

No provisions. 8/

6. Constitution, Par. 146; Amendments, Art. 44 (1915).

A tax on incomes graduated as to rate according to the amount .
of income received by the taxpayer cannot be laid under this sec-
tion. Property may be classified for the purpose of establishing
different rates, but the owners of the property cannot be classified
for the same purpose. Nor can a graduated income tax be levied
under the general taxing power conferred by paragraph 56, because
an income tax is a tax on property, and under that provision prop-
erty taxes must be proportional and reasonable. In re Opinion of
the Justices, 266 Mass. 585, 165 N. E. 900 (1929), see page 2,

Sec. II, par. A, (1), (a), and footnote 4.

A classification by statute of income according to the sources

from which it is derived, for purposes of an income tax, is valid.
In re Opinion of the Justices, 270 Mass. 595, 170 N. E. 800 (1950).

7. Constitution, Per. 145; Amendments, Art. 41 (1912).

8. "The cities and towns of this Commonwealth have no inherent but
only a delegated power to raise and expend money. Their rights in
this particular rest upon legislative grant; if the authority is
not found in express terms or by necessary implication in some act
of the General Court, it does not exist. The numerous authorities
to this effect need not be collected. It is the doctrine of the
early, the late, and many intervening decisions." Whiting vs.
mayor of Holyoke, 272 Mass. 116, 172 N} E. 558, 559 (1950). '

 Massachusetts 5.
. II. Financial Powers and Limitations (Cont'd)
, B. Exemptions
No general provisions. 2/
C. Borrowing and Use of Credit
(1) State
‘(e) The commonwealth may borrow money to repel in-
vasion, suppress insurrection, defend the commonwealth, or to assist
the United States in case of war, and may also borrow money in antici-
pation of receipts from taxes or other sources, such loan to be paid
out of the revenue of the year in which it is created. 19/
9. See page 4, Section II, par. A, (1), (b), for exemptions from
income tax.

The Constitution recognizes the importance of religion and
morality. The Constitution also requires the encouragement of
literature and science, the diffusion of education among the people,
and the promotion of general benevolence and public and private
charity. As taxation of the people may be imposed for these ob-
jects, property used for literary, educational, benevolent, chari-
table or scientific purposes may be exempted from taxation by the
Legislature. Such exemptions do not prevent taxation from being
proportional and equal. In re Opinion of the Justices, 195 Mass.
607, 84 N. E. 499 (1908).

The power of the Legislature is broad to grant exemption from

. taxation for proper purposes. 'All manner of reasonable classifi—
cations to that and may be made. Bonds issued by a public board
and guaranteed by the State were properly exempted from taxation.
In re Opinion of the Justices, 261 Mass. 523, 159 N. E. 55 (1927).

Exemption from taxation of land set apart for burial purposes,
or of property of literary, benevolent, and charitable institutions
is not in conflict with the Constitution. Town of Milford vs.
Commissioners of Worcester County, 213 Mass. 162, 100 N. E. 60 (1912).

A statute exempting from taxation wearing apparel, farming
utensils and household furniture not exceeding $1,000 in value,

‘ and tools of mechanics not exceeding $300 in value, is constitutional.
Day vs. City of Lawrence, 167 Mass. 371, 45 N. E. 751 (1897).

Exemption of property used for insane asylums, where one—
fourth of the property owned is used for the treatment without
charge of indigent insane persons, is valid. Mhssachueetts
General Hospital vs. Inhabitants of Belmont, 233 Mass. 190,

124 N. E. 21 (1919).

A Y.M.C.A. was held to be within the statute exempting per-
sonal property of "literary, benevolent, (and) charitable insti-
tutions" from taxation. Springfield Y.M.C.A. vs. Board of
Assessors of City of Springfield, 284 Mass. 1, 187 N. E. 104
(1933).

10. Constitution, Par. 193; Amendments, Art. 62, Sec. 2 (1918), see

. page 6, Sec. II, par. C, (1), (c).

 6. Massachusetts
II. Financial Powers and Limitations (Cont'd) .
C. Borrowing and Use of Credit (Cont'd)
(1) State (Cont'd)

(b) In addition to the loans which may be con—
tracted as before provided, the commonwealth may borrow money only
by a vote, taken by the yeas and nays, of two—thirds of each house of
the general court present and voting thereon. The governor shall
recommend to the general court the term for which any loan shall be
contracted. 11/

(c) Borrowed money shall not be expended for any
other purpose than that for which it was borrowed or for the reduction
or discharge of the principal of the loan. 12/

(d) The credit of the commonwealth shall not in
any manner be given or loaned to or in aid of any individual, or of
any private association, or of any corporation which is privately
owned and managed. 15/
_____.___________.________.__________________.__.___.______..______.___
11. Constitution, Par. 194; Amendments, Art. 62, Sec. 5 (1918).

12. Constitution, Par. 195; Amendments, Art. 62, Sec. 4 (1918).
15. Constitution, Par. 192; Amendments, Art. 62, Sec. 1 (1918).

A proposed statute, which would have set up a public cor-
poration to insure mortgages made on homes by private banking
corporations, and in certain cases lend money directly on homes
on security of mortgages, was held invalid under this section. .’
The court said that this proposed statute contemplated the loan-
ing of the credit of the State to individuals and private
corporations and so was unconstitutional under this section.

In re Opinion of the Justices, — mass. -, 195 N. E. 897 (1955).

A statute, which would have created a corporation to con-
struct bridges and tunnels, to be owned and controlled by private
persons until the work was completed, and providing that its
bonds should be guaranteed by the State, was held invalid under
this section, because this would be the loaning of the credit of
the Commonwealth to a private corporation. In re Opinion of the
Justices, 276 Mass. 617, 176 N. E. 607 (1951).

The Boston Elevated Railway Company, a privately owned
corporation, was leased to trustees for ten years who acted on
behalf of the Commonwealth. Provision was made for public
operation during the duration of the lease. It was held that
the guarantee of payment of the principal and interest of any
securities issued by the trustees would not be a violation of
this section even though some of the securities might not mature
during the period of the lease. In re Opinion of the Justices,
261 Mass. 525, 159 N. E. 55 (1927).

 Massachusetts 7.
. II. Financial Powers and Limitations (Cont'd)
C. Borrowing and Use of Credit (Cont'd)
(1) State (Cont'd)
(e) . . . and no grant, appropriation or use of
V public money or property or loan of public credit shall be made or
authorized by the commonwealth or any political division thereof for
. the purpose of founding, maintaining or aiding any . . . infirmary,
hospital, institution, or educational, charitable or religious under—
taking which is not publicly owned and under the exclusive control,
order and superintendence of public officers or public agents author-
ized by the commonwealth or federal authority or both, except that
appropriations may be made for the maintenance and support of the
Soldiers' Home in Mhssachusetts and . . . to carry out legal obli-
gations, if any, already entered into; and no such grant, appropri—
ation or use of public money or property or loan of public credit
shall be made or authorized for the purpose of founding, maintaining
or aiding any church, religious denomination or society.

Nothing herein contained shall be construed to
prevent the commonwealth, or any political division thereof, from pay-
ing to privately controlled hospitals, infirmaries, or institutions
for the deaf, dumb or blind not more than the ordinary and reasonable
compensation for care or support actually rendered or furnished by
such hospitals, infirmaries or institutions to such persons as may be

. in whole or in part unable to support or care for themselves. . . 14/
(2) Counties and Other Local Units
See Sec. II, par. C, (1), (eL above. See page 4,
footnote 8.
D. Other Income ,
No provisions.
14. Constitution, Par. 148; Amendments, Art. 46 (1917).

A hospital, which was a gift to a town, to be maintained by
the town, and managed by a board of trustees selected by the
town officials with the approval of the donors, was held to be
a "publicly owned" hospital so that appropriations for operating

. expenses by the town were proper under this section. Adams vs.
Plunkett, 274 Mass. 455, 175 N. E. 60 (1951).

 V 8. massachusetts
II. Financial Powers and Limitations (Cont'd) .
E. Appropriations and Expenditures
(1) State
No moneys shall be issued out of the treasury of
this commonwealth, and disposed of (except such sums as may be
appropriated for the redemption of bills of credit or treasurer's
_ notes, or for the payment of interest arising thereon) but by warrant
under the hand of the governor for the time being, with the advice
and consent of the council, for the necessary defence and support of ‘
the commonwealth; and for the protection and preservation of the in-
habitants thereof, agreeably to the acts and resolves of the general
court. l§f *
(2) Counties and Other Local Units
No provisions.
III. Provisions Affecting Legislation
A. Regular Sessions of Legislature
The political year shall begin on the first Wednesday of
January instead of the last Wednesday of May, and the general court -
shall assemble every year on the said first Wednesday of January, . . .
And the general court shall be dissolved on the day next preceding .
the first Wednesday of January, without any proclamation or other act
of the governor . . . lé/ ‘
B. Special Sessions of Legislature
. . . But nothing herein contained shall prevent the general
court from assembling at such other times as they shall judge necessary, .
or when called together by the governor. . . 12/
15. Constitution, Par. 6'7; Pt. II, Ch. II, Sec. 1, m. XI.
Money raised by taxation can be used only for public purposes.
In re Opinion of the Justices, 231 Mass. 603, 122 N. E. 763 (1919),
see page 2, footnote 4.
16. Constitution, Par. 112; Amendments, Art. I (1831). _
17. Constitution, Par. 112; Amendments, Art. I (1831).
"The governor, with advice of council, shall have full power
and authority . . . to call it (the general court) together sooner
than the time to which it may be adjourned or prorogued, if the
welfare of the commonwealth shall require the same . . .' Consti-
tution, Par. 61; Pt. II, Ch. II, Sec. I, Art. V.
The General Court while in regular session may designate some
later time, within the terms of its members, to meet in special
session. The court said that the terms of this section are clear,
and that undoubtedly the General Court by its own action may call
a special session. In re Opinion of the Justices, - mass. -,
3 N. E. (2d) 218 (1936).

 Massachusetts 9.

. III. Provisions Affecting Legislation (Cont'd)

C. Powers of Initiative and Referendum

Legislative power shall continue to be vested in the
general court; but the people reserve to themselves the popular initia—
tive, which is the power of a specified number of voters to submit
constitutional amendments and laws to the people for approval or re-
jection; and the popular referendum, which is the power of a specified
number of voters to submit laws, enacted by the general court, to the
people for their ratification or rejection. 18/

D. Legislative Enactment

(1) No law passed by the general court shall take effect
earlier than ninety days after it has become a law, excepting laws de-
clared to be emergency laws and laws which may not be made the subject
of a referendum petition, as herein provided. lg/

(2) A law declared to be an emergency law shall contain
a preamble setting forth the facts constituting the emergency, and
shall contain a statement that such law is necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, safety or convenience . . . 29/
18. Constitution, Par. 150; Amendments, Art. 48, Sec. 1 (1918).

There are some twenty-eight sections in the Constitution pro-
viding in great detail for the initiative and referendum.

. These sections include (1) the procedure relative to the
presenting of initiative petitions and an enumeration of the
subjects excluded from the initiative privilege, which includes
local or special laws. Constitution, Par. 151-156; Amendments,
Art. 48, Part II and Part III (1918); (2) the procedure re-
lating to the exercise of the referendum, and the subjects
therefrom excluded. Constitution, Par. 169-175; Amendments,

Art. 48, Referendum III, Sec. 5, 4; General Provisions, Sec. 1,
2, 3 (1918).

A referendum petition may ask for the repeal of an emergency
law. Ibid.

The provisions of these sections in regard to the initiative
and referendum are mandatory. When minute and clear directions
are given in the Constitution as to the performance of a specified

, duty, it must be performed in that way alone. In re Opinion of the
Justices, mess. -, 3 N. E. (2d) 12 (1936).
19. Constitution, Par. 165; Amendments, Art. 48, Referendum I (1918).

For (1) provisions relating to the enactment of legislation
under a declaration of emergency, which acts may be subjected to a
referendum, and for (2) legislation specifically excepted from the
exercise of the referendum, see pagagraphs 2 and 5 in the text
immediately following.

20. Constitution, Par. 166; Amendments, Art. 48, Referendum II (1918).
(Footnote forwarded)

 lO. Nassachusetts
III. Provisions Affecting Legislation (Cont'd) .
D. Legislative Enactment (Cont'd)

(5) No law that relates to religion, religious practices
or religious institutions; or to the appointment, qualification,
tenure, removal or compensation of judges; or to the powers, creation
or abolition of courts; or the Operation Of which is restricted to a
particular town, city or other political division or to particular
districts or localities of the commonwealth; or that appropriates money
for the current or ordinary expenses of the commonwealth or for any Of
its departments, boards, commissioners or institutions shall be the .
subject of a referendum petition. 21/

(4) Within three weeks after the convening of the general
court the governor shall recommend to the general court a budget which
shall contain a statement of all proposed expenditures of the common—
wealth for the fiscal year, including those already authorized by law,
and of all taxes, revenues, loans and other means by which such expendi-
tures shall be defrayed. . . 22/

(5) A11 appropriations based upon the budget to be paid
from taxes or revenues shall be incorporated in a single bill which
shall be called the general appropriation bill. The general court may
increase, decrease, add or omit items in the budget. . . Eg/

(6) After final action on the general appropriation bill
or on recommendation of the governor, special appropriation bills may .
be enacted. Such bills shall provide the specific means for defraying
the appropriations therein contained. 23/
_____________________________________.______._._._________.____________________
(Footnote #20 — Continued)

Another section provides that the preamble of a bill, stating
it to be an emergency measure, shall be voted upon separately,
and unless the preamble is adopted by two-thirds of the members
Of each House voting thereon, the measure shall not be an emer-
gency law. Constitution, Par. 207; Amendments, Art. 67 (1922).

21. Constitution, Par. 168; Amendments, Art. 48, Referendum 3, Sec. 2
(1918).
22. Constitution, Par. 197; Amendments, Art. 65, Sec. 2 (1918).

Supplementary budgets may be recommended at any time by
the Governor. Constitution, Par. 198; Amendments, Art. 63,

Sec. 3 (1918).
23. Constitution, Par. 198; Amendments, Art. 65, Sec. 3 (1918).
24. Constitution, Par. 199; Amendments, Art. 65, Sec. 4 (1918).

 t ,
‘ Massachusetts 1 ' 11.
. ' III. Provisions Affecting Legislation (Cont'd)

D. Legislative Enactment (Cont'd)

(7) No bill or resolve of the senate or house of
representatives shall become a law, and have force as such, until it
shall have been laid before the governor for his revisal; and if he,
upon such revision, approve thereof, he shall signify his approbation
by signing the same. But if he have any objection to the passing of

, . such bill or resolve, he shall return the same, together with his
objections thereto, in writing, to the senate or house of represen-
tatives, . . . §§/

(8) The veto power of the governor shall not extend to
measures approved by the people. 26/

(9) There shall be a council for advising the governor
in the executive part of the government, to consist of (eight) persons
besides the lieutenant governor, whom the governor, for the time
being, shall have full power and authority, from time to time, at his
discretion, to assemble and call together. . . 32/

25. Constitution, Par. 54; Pt. II, Ch. I, Sec. I, Art. II.
A bill may be passed over the Governor's veto by a two—
thirds vote of both houses. If the Governor does not return
. y a bill within five days, it automatically becomes a law,
unless the General Court adjourns within the five day period.
Ibid and Constitution, Par. 103; Amendments, Art. I (1821).
26. Constitution, Par. 175; Amendments, Art. 48, General Provisions V
(1918).
27. Constitution, Par. 75; Pt. II, Ch. II, Sec. III, Art. I.

"The Constitution recognizes two kinds of executive business
which may come before the Council: one, that which is to be
done by the Governor and council acting together as an executive
board, and the other, business to be done by the Governor, act-
ing under the responsibility of his office as supreme executive
magistrate, by and with the advice and consent of the council.
In the transaction of other kinds of executive business,
doubtless the Governor may take the advice of the council or
not, as he chooses." In re Opinion of the Justices, 190 Mass.
616, 78 N. E. 311 (1906).

A statute authorized the trustees of any public hospital
to determine the salaries of its officers, subject to the
approval of the Governor and Council. The court held that this
meant that such salary charges must be approved separately by
the Governor and also by the Council. In re Opinion of the
Justices, 211 mass. 632, 99 N. E. 287 (1912).

 ”w
12. Massachusetts 3
1
IV. Constitutional Amendment or Revision .
A. By Proposal of Legislature or People
A proposal for amendment to the constitution introduced
into the general court by initiative petition shall be designated an
initiative amendment, and an amendment introduced by a member of
either house shall be designated a legislative substitute or a
legislative amendment. 28/
B. By Constitutional Convention
, No provisions. 29/
28. Constitution, Par. 157; Amendments, Art. 48, Part IV, Sec. 1 (1918).
other sections provide the procedure of submitting amendments
by initiative petition or by action of either house of the
General Court. If an initiative proposal is approved by one—fourth
of all the members elected, or a legislative proposal by a major— :
ity of all the members elected, then it shall be referred to the 1
next General Court. If the next General Court shall approve the . ,
amendment by the same percentages as above, then the amendment f
shall be submitted to the people at the next State election.
Such amendment shall become a part of the Constitution if approved, ’
in the case of a legislative amendment, by a majority of the
members voting thereon, or in the case of an initiative amendment,
by voters equal in number to at least thirty per cent of the ,
total number of ballots cast at such State election, and-also .
by a majority of the voters voting on such amendment. Consti-
tution, Par. 158-161; Amendments, Art. 48, Part 4, Sec. 2—5
(1918).
"This article of amendment to the constitution is self-
executing but legislation not inconsistent with anything herein
contained may be enacted to facilitate the operation of its
provisions. Constitution, Par. 177; Amendments, Art. 48,
Referendum VII (1918).
The question of whether or not a constitutional convention
should be called was submitted to a vote of the people in 1916.
The convention was approved by the people and delegates elected.
A number of important amendments, now a part of the Consti-
tution, were proposed by the convention and later approved by
a vote of the people. Editorial Comment, Michie's Annotated
Laws of Massachusetts (1933), Vol. 10, page 131.