Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1836-01-26

urhhefhieiF aud calmly dctern. ned the question
prescntcd-by decided majority. though II wa.
small one; notwithstanding the objection to the
gentleman ffom Godhaii, there was still naiori.
'y of two Bot why mus; they have another
hearing DO they expect now light. and con-
seqooui change IN opinions which had been already
clearly and deliberately espressedi He supposed
there had been fair hesrng could the re-
suit be nj all varied BY the difficulty which had
been represented as 20 the gentleman from Guild.
ball in that matter there could bc no contest !;
and were his conduct such as had been represent
ed he would say il conduct which he de-
spised. There was n new view OF this question
which he desired to present. Since Saturday he
had taken the trouble To examine aud see how the
population OF Vermont was represented in the
vote of Sa,urday-and he trusted, when he slated
the result OF the examination that the gentleman
from West FsIrlce, aud all who had expressed
such strong regards for the people, would find
their conscientious scruples settled. The repre-
sentatives favorable TO the amendments represen.
ted 1884 of the people of Vermont, while
those against them represented but % 1913 or in
other words, while there s"s a bare majority of
two or three in convention, the popular vote, as
thus expressed was nearly hro 10 one in favor of
the amendments. In view of this fact he appeal
ed to those who most emphatically claimed to be
lovers OF the people, to say whether they would
move further IN this matter. If their faith was
any thing bot a dead faith, he trusted they would
manifest II by refusing TO reconsider the vote.
Mr. Fitch said he was not disposed to discuss
the propriey of particular gentlemen acting here,
but he would ask by what authority the delegate
from Burlington claimed for Representative of the
larger towns greater weight aud influence or a
higher prerogative, than for the representatives of
small towns The constitution and the laws had
no where provided great or small each man
III that hall counted but one. lie would not dis
cuss that principle. There had been corruption
there, in the delegate from Guildhall if common
reports were true as well might he enter the Bri
tish Parliament III the character of representative
OF his town, as could that gentleman take his seat
IN the Convention lie had nevertheless come
there and exercised his influence he knew not
but that influence would procure a constitution
which the people had not nsked for, and which
the convention ought not to grant. Were the
question determined iairy---hnd there been no
fraud--a ma, oiity Of half vote wns amply suli-
Gent to satisfy him. Here, however, was a case
Of fraud, that viliated the whole proceeding, and
he would not impose upon the State a constitution
manufactured.
Mr. Pomcroy replied ,ha. the gentleman had in
timated that be claimed more than belonged to
ginning to the end of it. lie did indeed endeavor
to show that majority of the people had, through
their delegates, expressed their will on the ques-
ton before the convention, and he deemed il un.
fair and ungenerous to attack that argument by en-
dcavoring to render the individual odous who had
offered 1t. He claimed nothing above what be-
ionged equally TO every man there-the gentle
man from Thetford knew it--and was it fair and
honorable IN him, occupying the high station he
did. TO mIsrepresent him He said he stood upon
that floor the representative Of the Constitution
clothed with the authority and invested with the
rights which that instrument conferred he claim
ed nothing more. he yielded to nothing less. In
this the convention would hear him out Alluson
had been made in the course Of this debate to
manufacturers, distinct. privileged or an aris-
tocratlc class. lie believed that a farmer or
mechanic, professional man or a manufacturer,
had his equal vote here; he claimed an eqnaliiy for
all. Without protesting TO know much or care
much about manufacturers, he would say that they
had rights. Large towns had rights fifteen free
men OF Burlington as good and as much To
be respected and protected IN oil their rights os
fifteen freemen residing in ST. George or on the
mountains Of Lowell. In addncing the argument
he had he assumed The broad ground that the pco-
pie had equal and constitutional nights he did not
assume 10 bll1scl more tnnn ne gave 10 nnuluer.
Mr. Fitch desired 10 explain; he was sorry the
gentleman felt himself to be misused. He had
supposed that when he (Mr P.) undertook to count
up numbers here, lie meant what he said. If he
did not mean what he said, then he regretted the
Misunderstanding.
Dir White said this was an extraordinary pro-
ceeding -unpsrliamentsry IN the extreme. a
charge Of corruption. coupled with epitbets at least
offensive, had been broadly made without extend
ing opportunity for defence. Aud this charge was
made when the committee Of Elections had report
ed, and that report upon the table. Why
not that report taken up and justice done
Would the convention PREJUDICE this case ? Would
they act upon mere runor and decide without the
faclsl Never never would he III there aud Is
sent 10 il. Let an examination be had ~ The
proper form. lie moved that the report Of tho
committee Of Elections be recommit,ed, with 10
structions TO report the facts.
Mr. Cshoon moved tina, the motion for reeonsld-
GRAFTON be laid upon the table. Here. Il was stat
ed by the repor, of the committee that there were
serenity cases where the ordnance had not been
compiled With 10 the election and return of dele
gates was all corruption, then, ne asked, to be
sscribed to onsf Who could say that there had