[104] This vote will receive its explanation from the reply of the selectmen, which was as follows:--
In answer to the desire and request of some of our inhabitants, that our town-meeting may be regulated according to law, we, the subscribers, have openly declared, at said meeting, that those of our inhabitants, and only those, that are worth or have in possession to the value of £ 20, ratable estate, may vote at said meeting.1718: The new names found in the lists are as follows: Francis Laithe, Joseph Serjant, John Chadson, John Goold, William Manson, Peter Edes, Joseph Ballard, John Choub, Aaron Cleveland, William Wicker, Jonathan Tompson, Mr. Semer, John Watson, Thomas Sanders, Luke Blashfield, Nath. Laurans, Samuel Haeson, Abram Cumins, Nath. Locke, John Winship, John Whiten. May 12, 1718: Medford voted “to petition the General Court for some out-lands for the further benefit of the town.” 1721: The General Court gave the town £ 160, on their application for aid; and the town voted to loan it out to the inhabitants in sums not exceeding £ 10, nor less than £ 5, to any one person; interest, five per cent. April 25, 1728: “Voted that the town of Medford will take out of the County Treasury their part of the sixty thousand pounds granted by the Great and General Court.” Oct. 27, 1727: The number of voters present at a town-meeting was forty-five; a fair average. They vote not to send a representative this year. The love of office was cold in the hearts of our fathers, compared with the burning desire for it in our day. It was so common to refuse even the highest offices, that penalty for refusing became necessary, and our records are full of such notices as the following:--
1728: “Mr. Peter Tufts, refusing to take the office of Constable, paid in his money, as the law directs, to the town-treasury.”At a later period (1751), the town voted, that if any one refused to take the office to which he had been elected, he should pay into the treasury £ 1. 6s. 8d., lawful money. In 1632, the people of Plymouth enact, “that whoever refuses ”
