But it was believed by many people at the time. So a law
requiring secrecy in the ballot was framed and enacted in
spite of great resistance from the Whigs. This has undoubtedly
proved a good policy, and has prevailed in Massachusetts ever
since, and now prevails largely throughout the country.
But this one measure was not enough to hold together elements
otherwise so discordant. So the Democratic and Free Soil
leaders agreed to call a convention to revise the Constitution
of the Commonwealth, which had remained unchanged save in
a few particulars since 1780. There had been a Convention
for that purpose in 1820, made necessary by the separation
of Maine. But the old Constitution had been little altered.
The concentration of the population in large towns and cities
had caused a demand for a new distribution of political power.
Many people desired an elective judiciary. Others desired
that the judges should hold office for brief terms instead
of the old tenure for life. There was a great demand for
the popular election of Sheriffs and District Attorneys, who
under the existing system were appointed by the Governor.
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