Number 9. October 4, 1974

Number 9. October 4, 1974 Honorable John F. X. Davoren Secretary of the Commonwealth State House Boston, Massachusetts 02133 Dear Secretary Davoren: By a letter dated September 9, 1974, you have asked me whether the following question (or questions identical in all material aspects) is one of public policy in accordance with section 19 of Chapter 53 of the Mas- sachusetts General Laws: "Shall the Senator from this District be instructed to vote to approve a resolution memorializing the Congress of the United States in favor of Amnesty for all those who resisted the Vietnam War?" 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 is therefore a question of "public policy" within the mean- ing of G. L. c. 53, § 19. See 1939 Op. Atty. Gen., pp. 99-100; 1955 Op. Atty. Gen., pp. 51-52. See also, 8 Op. Atty. Gen. (1928), pp. 490, 491-492; 1965 Op. Atty. Gen., pp. 92-93. Consequently, the question may properly be included on the election ballot in the four Senatorial Districts which you have mentioned, namely: Plymouth-Norfolk; Suf- folk and Middlesex; 4th Middlesex; 5th 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 54 P.D. 12