In this respect he
was the opposite of Governor Everett. In the canvass of 1839 Morton
was elected by one vote in a contest of unusual warmth. This election
removed him from the bench, much to his regret, it was said, as under
the circumstances he could hardly hope for a re-election. The House
and Senate were controlled by the Whigs, and the Governor was
surrounded by a council composed of Whigs. The Fifteen-Gallon Law was
repealed and in other respects the government was not different from
what it would have been had Mr. Everett been re-elected.
Governor Morton continued to be the Democratic candidate, and though
defeated in 1840 and 1841 by John Davis, he was again elected in 1843
by the Legislature, there having been no choice by the people, a
majority being required. The Senate was Democratic by a considerable
majority. The House was equally divided at the opening of the session,
and there were four abolitionists who held the balance of power. After
several trials the Whigs succeeded in electing Daniel P. King of
Danvers, by the help of one or more of the abolitionists. There were
several contested seats, and when the house had been purged, as the
process was called, the Democrats were in a majority. The session was
a short one. A few political measures were passed, salaries were
reduced, and much below a reasonable compensation for those days even.
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