Number 1 September 29, 1970

Number 1 September 29, 1970 Honorable John F. X. Davoren Secretary of the Coiunionweahh State House Boston. Massachusetts 02133 Dear Secretary Davoren: By letters dated September 1, 1970 you have asked me whether the following question is one of public policy in accordance with section 19 of Chapter 53 of the Massachusetts General Laws: "Shall the Senator from this district be instructed to vote to approve a resolution directed to the President and the Con- gress of the United States stating that it is the sense of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that there be an immediate cease fire and that all the Armed Forces of the United States be immediately withdrawn from Vietnam, and further, that the resulting savings be appropriated by the Congress of the United States to help the Commonwealth of Massachusetts carry out domestic programs to improve the educational, medical, and environmental facilities for the people of the Commonwealth?'" It is my opinion that the question presented is an "important public question" in which "every citizen of the Commonwealth has an in- terest" and therefore is a question of "public policy" within the mean- ing of G. L. c. 53, § 19. See 1939 Opinions of the Attorney General, pp. 99-100; 1955 Opinions of the Attorney General, pp. 51-52. See, also, 8 Opinions of the Attorney General 1928, pp. 490, 491-492; 1965 Opinions of the Attorney General, pp. 92-93. Consequently, the question may properly be included on the election ballot in the Senatorial Districts which you have mentioned, namely: 1st Essex and 2nd Middlesex. You have requested further that I supply your office with a suitable statement of the question for presentation upon the ballot. It is my opin- ion that the question should be printed on the ballot in the form in which it appears in this letter. Very truly yours, ROBERT H. QUINN Attorney General