Norwell High School - Shipbuilder Yearbook (Norwell, MA)

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Page melee The Shipbuilder , fulj, was held a year later at Annap- olis. There plans were made for a meeting of all states to be held at Philadelphia in the near future. This convention proved to be the one at which our present constitution was drawn up. It met at Independence Hall on the second Monday in May, 1787. Al- though seventv-three delegates had been appointed, only fifty-five came. All states but Rhode Island, which was opposed to this plan, were repre- sented. The delegates came in slow- ly, and it was nearly the end of the month before business could be start- ed. This group of men represented the very ablest political judgment in the country. Never before or since have so many famous men appeared together. It is no wonder that they produced a masterpiece. Represent- ing the propertied classes, they were a conservative group, practical rather than theoretical. Washington was unanimously chos- en president of the convention. Mad- ison, Hamilton, Franklin, and he proved to be the leaders. As soon as the convention was un- der way, Edmund Randolph intro- duced a resolution to set aside the Articles of Confederation and to adopt a new constitution. This was approved. Now came the great task. At times these men differed violent- ly on details, but they worked har- moniously for the most part so that they might achieve their purpose. The Constitution consists of a ser- ies of compromises. Most of them were not fundamental changes - only slight differences in details of organization. Parts of the Articles of Confederation were revised, and even some parts were used as they stood. Under the Articles of Confedera- tion all states had had the same rights. The larger states objected strenuously, believing that they should have more power. This was finally settled by what is called The Great Compromise of the Conven- tion. All states were to have two senators elected by the state legisla- tures to serve for a term of six years. The House of Representatives was to have representatives elected direct- ly by the people every other year, in proportion to the population of each state. This brought another problem. The South wanted their slaves to be counted as part of the population. The North disagreed strongly. Yet taxes were apportioned according to population and the slaves paid none, so the South would be actually pay- ing for its extra power. Finally they compromised by counting each slave as two-thirds. This satisfied both parties. Another compromise was made concerning trade. Many wanted to give Congress the power to regulate trade, but the Southerners were op- posed, fearing that their slaves and export trade would be interfered with. After much discussion the question was settled by permitting Congress to control trade, but pro- hibiting export taxes, and interfer- ence with the slave trade before 1808. Then, of course, there was a dis- cussion concerning form of the gov- ermnent. Many favored a strong central government, others wanted a strong democracy. Among many plans submitted to the commi'ttee, was that of Pelatiah Webster, in which was embodied tfor the most partJ the Hrst draft of the Constitu- tion. Changes were made, but this was the plan which came nearest the finished Constitution. We are also indebted to Baron lilontesquieu, French political philos- opher, for his clear guidance and help in constructing the excellent system of checks and balances between the departments of the federal system. This Constitution of ours which has protected the rights of the people has guided us well through wars, de- pressions, and other emergencies, and bids fair to guide us through as many more. MARION OSBORNE, '38 Qfaif Ncrwell High school has been ap- proved by the New England College Entrance Certificate Board. Iii PKI Ili H4 Sli Our school library is growing, but the shelves still look rather bare.

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The Shipbuilder page . . .LITERARQT .. WHY I PREFER TO LIVE IN THE COUNTRY As I begin to write this I realize that from the beginning some one will disagree with what I say, and that the city enthusiasts especially, will be among those in opposition, but never- theless I will attempt to present my views on the subject and make clear my opinion. The country to me is a most pic- turesque and impressive place in which to live. As we watch season roll into season, we find excellent op portunities for the study of nature, and yet at the same time we may be doing something for enjoyment. lt is a painter's paradise and the think- er's inspirer. And there are several benefits de- rived from country life. It affords a great opportunity for better health. Exercise in the fresh, invigorating air tends to build one up. And yet this exercise is accomplished not through the feeling of necessity to the counts of 1-2-3-4, but through movements gained by enjoyable sports, such as skating, skiing, hiking, bicycling, swimming, etc., most of which can be done in one's own back yard and which do not require parks or play- grounds as in the city. In the country schools there is a marked appearance of the develop- ment of school spirit. Due to the number of pupils, most every one be- comes friendly and this feeling brings about cooperation in school activit- ies. Also, in small classes the pupils have an opportunity to study the teacher, as well as the teachers the pupils, and they thus gain a better idea and understanding of each other. Then, the community life of today has all the advantages of city life. Stores, which offer delivery service, are in the towns, nearly every one has a car for transportation, and trains which connect with the leading cities are only a few miles away. All the modern conveniences are to be had in the homeg electricity, water, heating systems, etc., thus making the country homes as up to date and as practicable as a city home. Some people always wonder what there can be for excitement in the country, but if they would only live there a year I am sure that they would soon find the answer. There is always some sort of entertainment available. Dances, clubs of various sorts, fairs, and theatres, either in the town or neighboring towns, are examples of some social enjoyments. And so, considering everything, I say, For what more could one ask? Would not any one who had the fitting spirit find life in the country enjoy- able ? ALCESTER WEARE, '38 COMPROMISES IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONAL OF 1787 The Constitution of the United States is the oldest frame for a gov- ernment in use today. Others keep changing, and even civil wars are frequent. Take, for instance, the trouble in France at the present time. The President is struggling to set up a new cabinet from the one fallen. Who knows when the Spanish Civil War will end? And in Mexico and other southern countries the head of the government is changed every few months because of uprisings against the party in power. All this upheaval seems strange to us because it is unheard of in this country. Why? It must be the strong framework on which our gov- ernmental system rests. But this framework was not merely thrown to- gether without thought. The best minds in the country, striving for a common purpose, worked day in and day out for months to achieve this result. In 1785 a group of commissioners from Maryland and Virginia met with Washington at Mount Vernon to dis- cuss boundary lines and trade rela- tions. As these questions were of interest to other states, also, another convention Cwhich proved unsuccess-

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The Shipbuilder page mmeen QUALITIES I ADMIRE IN OTHER PEOPLE Sitting still, calm unperturbed by all incidents, is an admirable quality. I enjoy the person who, when moth- er is out, performs all the duties of the perfect hostess with ease and pre- cision, even though Great-aunt Clara, who is practically stone deaf and must tell one of her latest doctor's bill, drops in for just a minute and spends the afternoon with you. Es- pecially do I admire the person, under the same circumstances, who, still restrains herself from throwing things though she is already fifteen minutes late for a skating date with just the cutest boy, and Aunt Clara is only half through her lengthy discussion. Then, too, perhaps one has learned this art from watching mother entertain guests when one absolutely knows the roast is burning. Also, if one can sit still in boring classes while Professor Oglesby, ogles at pretty girls, wheezes, talks through his nose, and generally acts in a dis- gusting manner, one is a marvel. To me, the best and safest outlet during this time, seems to be drawing, espec- ially on blotters. But if this is im- possible, 'talking to your neighbor, particularly if you can utter that an- noying class-time giggle at odd intervals, is a good substitute. Doing proper things at proper times is an art not even geniuses often acquire. For instance, if you had Algebra first period, and Physics the second, Wouldn't you occasionally get mixed- up? That is do the right homework in the wrong period. Another impor- tant thing is, at a banquet, to be able to pick up, from an array of all shapes and sizes, the correct piece of silver without slyly watching your neighbor who is also watching you therefore bringing things to a stand- still. More important still is staying awake during, clapping and laugh- ing pleasantly at, stale jokes and speeches. More of those little-things-that one-must-not-do are C13 stuttering when other people stutter-this is cruel, and 123 walking with feet ex- tremely in-toed or out-toed-a habit impossible to correct. The greatest achievement of all is making people do what you say, and not what you do. It is so em- barrassing, when a little child who idolizes you is scolded for some fault of yours which she has aped. But retribution comes, when some ab- normal the'd have to belperson, takes your advice. Self importance is so comforting in spite of non-fitting hats, etc. JEAN MacLEAN, '38 ENCORE Standing on the bridge of a coast- wise freighter on a cold February night, blinded by mist and drenched by wind-whipped rain and sleet, a man has plenty of time to think. So on the lurching bridge of the An- drea, plowing the water off Sandy Hook as she stood in for New York, the bear-like form of Captain James R. Holbrook paced back and forth. His steel-blue eyes, narrowed to pierce the night, glistened from a round face that reflected old copper in the wan greasy light from the binnacle, when he stopped to peer at the compass. Two bells struck in the first watch. Ever since his last leave in New York, he had reserved the sourest place in his heart for Owen Roberts. Tonight he was ruminating again this tender subject. Roberts, captain of the Faulkner, a grain carrier out of New York, had been introduced by two friends of Holbrook's, one evening at a board- ing house. A poker game which had run its normal course far into the night, had come to a violent ending when Holbrook, nearly cleaned out, discovered an extra card in Roberts' hand. The friends would long remem- ber their difficulty in keeping the two apart. But his hate for Roberts had yet more fertile soil, in which it promptly sprouted like a weed. On a December night, such as this with its mist and driving seas, Hol- brook had glimpsed the lights of a ship off the port bow, in these same waters. Although his engine was reversed, and the helm thrown hard aport, a collision could not be averted. After the impact, he had radioed the other ship for her name and plans for