certain that all candidates understand the directions. Many candidates, because of their foreign birth, may be slow in understanding all the directions. When you are satisfied that all candidates understand the directions, begin test. Keep exact record of time.

This is a test to see whether you can read and write English. On the other side of this sheet there is a selection for you to read. First, read the selection. Next, read the first question. Then, go back and read the selection until you find the answer to this first question. Usually, the answer will be only one or two words. When you have found the correct answer, write it on the dotted line after the first question. You need not answer in a complete sentence. Write the answer as plainly as you can, for this is a test of both reading and writing. Answer all the other questions in the same way. When you have answered every question, read the selection and answers to your questions over again, and make sure you have made no mistakes.

1 Is there anybody who does not know what we are to do?

2 When you turn the sheet, what are you to do first?

3 Where will you find the answers to the questions?

4 Where are you to write the answer to each question?

5 Do you need to answer in a complete sentence?
6 How many words will there usually be in the answer?
If you have any other questions, ask them now.

Do not write in the space below.

Turn your paper over-begin reading.

Examiner will preserve both successful and unsuccessful papers until after election day-they should be forwarded to Albany within one week after election day.

[Reverse Side]

NEW YORK STATE REGENTS LITERACY TEST

1923 Test 3

Read this and then write the answers. Read it as many times as you need to.

In New York State a general election will be held on November 6, 1923. On election day every voter should go to the polls and vote. The polling place is a room where several election officers meet for the purpose of receiving and counting the ballot of each voter of an election district. When a voter enters the polling place he gives his name to the election officers. A citizen votes either by ballot or by a voting machine. A ballot is a slip of paper. Both the ballot and the voting machine contain the names of the great political parties and the names of candidates of each party.

1 On what day will the general election in New York State be held in 1923?...

2 Who should go to the polls and vote on election day?.

3 What is the place called where voters go to vote?..

4 What is it that election officers receive and count?..

5 What does the voter give to the election officer when he enters the polling

8 What else besides the names of the candidates of each political party do both the ballot and voting machine contain?.

D

KEY FOR SCORING PAPERS-TEST 3

1 Nov. sixth, 1923, Nov. 6, voting day

2 Every voter, all voters

3 The polls, polling place, election room.

4 The ballot of each voter, the ballot, voter's ballot. 5 His name

6 Either by ballot, or by voting machine (either or both)

7 A slip of paper

8 The names of the great political parties

*

piece of paper

* vote

*the man's name, the voter's name.

Required number of correct answers for passing credit-6.

PART III

STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

38. An Act Calling a Constitutional Convention
(Massachusetts, 1919)

The oldest constitution in effect in any state at the present time is that of Massachusetts, dating from 1780. Although the commonwealth has undergone enormous social, economic, and political changes since John Adams first drafted the instrument, these have been met solely by amendment. This document was limited to a "Declaration of Rights" and a "Frame of Government," and was therefore brief and flexible. But for these qualities, it could hardly have survived so long. Prepared after most of the other states had drawn up their fundamental law, it incorporated many features that had already stood the test of at least a short period of time. Nevertheless, it was drafted early enough to avert the insertion in it of a mass of legislative material such as clutters up the more recent attempts at constitution-making.

The original document has, of course, been amended a number of times. On three occasions constitutional conventions were called to consider revision, and at other times amendments have been added by legislative proposal and popular ratification. Down to 1915, forty-four amendments were adopted, some of which were proposed by the legislature, and others by constitutional conventions. The first convention was held in 1820 and submitted fourteen proposals for ratification, nine of which were approved by the voters. In 1853 a convention made an attempt to frame a new constitution. But so unpopular was its plan that even the special amendments, which it also proposed, were defeated.

From 1853 to 1915 there was no important movement for a revision of the fundamental law. By the latter date, however, it became apparent that extensive changes were needed. Twenty-one amendments had been adopted since the second convention adjourned, and two of these had been repealed. Furthermore, there was a growing demand for the initiative and referendum, a budget system, the short ballot, and direct election of judges. Both parties recognized that the best method of considering these proposals was in a representative convention. In his address to the legislature on January 6, 1916, Governor McCall incorporated a recommendation that such a convention be called, and in pursuance of this suggestion the General Court passed the act given below. The measure was ratified at a popular referendum by a vote of 217,293 to 120,979.

The convention met in 1917 and, after some discussion, adopted three amendment proposals. It then adjourned pending a vote on these by the people. All were approved, and the convention reconvened the following year and proposed nineteen additional amendments, which were also approved. In 1919 the convention met for a third time and adopted a rearrangement of the different parts of the constitution. This also was ratified by the voters. One of the most important pieces of work of the convention was the proposal for the initiative and referendum which is given below, page 235.

SOURCES-General Acts passed by the General Court of Massachusetts,

1916 (Boston, 1916), chap. 98, pp. 74-77; Manual for the Constitutional Convention, 1917 (Boston, 1917), 254-257; Journal of the Constitutional Convention, 1917 (Boston, 1917), 3-5; Debates in the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention (Boston, 1919), I, pp. vii-ix.

AN ACT TO ASCERTAIN AND CARRY OUT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE RELATIVE TO THE CALLING AND HOLDING OF A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: