Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1836-12-06


tons on this subject, by sIpposiug that by
depositing this money where it will be per-
lecily safe and where i; will be productive
Of the greatest mount of interest, and sub
ject to the uniGiled controu! of the people
by their. representatives., is deprivng The
people Of their money. TO me, SIR, it is
clear, that it by adopting this amendment,
you deprive tile people OF their money, by a
d,V'7ion among the towns you equally de-
prive them of it. Let the doctrine Of gen.
tlcmen be carried out, the money must be
divided per capite. Yet if the reasoning
OF gentlemen be correct, this splendid edi-
flee in which we sit from day TO day
should be dcmolish d, and each man should
take his lump Of granite and carry home
with him. The vaults Of the treasury
should be opened, and if dollar is there
found, it should again be sent to the peck
els Of the people,
1t is said again, sir, that the original bill
passed the other House by large MAORI
ty, and that should have an influence upon
the legislation Of this House. Sir, hope
never ahaIlbe wanting in proper respect
for the decisions Of that house | know
there is eminent talents and high attain
ments to be found there. | hope | shall
ever appreciate the candor and fairness
that characterize The decisions Of that house.
Whatever vote fee it my duty TO give on
his question, or whatever | may feel it my
duty to say on this subject, it will be under
stood, hope, that cast no impulatons up
on the integrity or candor of the other
branch Of this Legislature, or upon any in
dlvdua who may differ from me in opin-
ion. am certainly disposed most heartily
to extend to others the same charity that |
claim for myself, that of honesty Of inten-
ton.
have already said, sir, that am in favor
of this amendment, as it provided for the re-
ce'Pt and safe keeping of Whatever might be
other year. But aside from this considera-
ion, have strong and insuperablc objections
10 the original bill in its present shape, and |
will here state some of them. In the first
place it is premature-making Gnal DISPOSE
ton Of what we may never receive. But if
received at all, it is not to be received except in
part, before the session of the next Legsla-
lure. A gain the bin directs the Treasurer to
leposite the money when received, and as Of
len as received, with the town treqsurers Of
the several towns, &c. The money, if receiy.
ed at all, is to be received in four instalmenrs,
at four different times during tie coming year
By the provisions Of the bill, then, the Tlea
surer must make four different journeys into
every town in the State to deposite the money.
This, to say the least of it, is no small job,
and attended with no little expense, and which
be prevented in a great measure by re-
But, sir, suppose portion OF the towns should
refuse to receive their proportion upon the
terms specified in the bill, what is to be done
with that? Is it TO be forced upon them a.
against their will? or is it to be returned TO
the general fund, and a new distribution made
among such towns as are willing to receive
ii Certainly the bill provides for no such
emergency.
But, sir, admit that the towns will receive
their proportion upon tae terms specified in
this bill. What is TO be done with it? Cen
tlemen say it must be kept for the use Of
schools brit what is there in the bill which
directs that application? Where is there any
provision in the bill that directs any specific
application? What is there to prevent an
immediate division Of it among the citizens
per capite? And how many towns, think you,
sir, would not make such a division of it?-
How many, let me ask, where a majority in
town could not be found to respond TO the
sentiments promulgated from this Hall, " that
This is the peoples money, and that tho peoPle
want no guardianship over their purse strings,
give US our share?
And let me inquire, sir, how This division is
to be made Are the farmers only to receive
it; or is il TO be distributed indiscriminalcly
among all classes of men, women, and chill
drcn-the man Of three score years and Zen as
well as the infant at its mothers breast} D
The bill does not say. Bat does not every
one sec that endless broils, contentious, and
even lawsuits, would grow out Of any attempt
at distribution among The people? The ques-
Tie n Of who was u citizen Of the town would
spring up IN innumeroblo instances and
questions the most veSing, in,rical', and I'M
certain would arise in relation TO who should