The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-11-23

are with him-all of whom are staunch friends
of AMERICAN LABOR and AMERICAN ENTER
PRIZE. -AHdS.
To the editor of the Aidd1e5ury Peoples Press:
SIR! learn by your paper Of the I'd inst,
that the council of Censors have agreed TO re-
commend an amendment Of the Constitution,
providing for The election of county officers by
the people of the county, with the exception Of
Justices of the peace, whom they propose 10
have elected by the people of each town.
| The last council of Censors proposed similar
articles of amendment to the Constitution, and
| perceive that, without some explanation, my
votes in favor of these articles place me in
false position.
The same council Of Censors proposed other
articles Of amendment, constituting Senate,
TO the adoption of which, it was known there
would he powerful opposition; and when the
convention net it was believed that there was
a majority Of the members opposed 10 the
! amendments. Aud those members who consid-
cred tie adoption of the articles constituting
Senate, 10 be Of very great importance, were
disposed 20 consider the articles providing for
the election of county officers By the people, of
trihng consequence and i: was understood
| between a number Of US. that we would say
nothing either for or against those articles, but
give q silent vote in favor of them for fear Of
losing votes 10 favor Of the articles constiu-
ting a Senate, end all the members 10 whom
| have referred, did vote with me for the adop-
ton Of the articles providing for the election of
county officers by the people.
| can say nothing further with certainty as TO
reasons which induced the others 10 vote in
favor of those articles; not so with respect TO
myself.
As early as the year 1898 convention was
holden to consider amendments TO the Consti.
tuition, proposed BY the council of Censors-
taking the power of appointment from the
Legislature, and vesiing i, in the Governor and
Council, whose election was provided for-cou-
stiluing q Senate, and providing for perma-
nent MISUNDERSTANDING Constitution similar
10 the constitution of New Hampshire, Massa-
chusetis and many other states. From the
f debates in that convention, formed an opinion
probably, at that time of life, on rather technical
, grounds. that the power Of appointment ought
never 10 DO vested in Legislature.
| The proposed articles Of amendment were
rejected by the conventional great majority
of the members of which had previously been
members of the Legislature. and had exercised
the power Of appointment, of course, very much
to their own satisfaction, and ] thought could
, perceive an unwillingness 10 give up this pow.
er, and vest it in any other body Of men,"
/ Articles CT amendment similar to those
above mentioned have been since proposed by
different councils Of Censors, two or three
times, and have been rejected by TIE convention
: and have thought for the same reasons tha
they were rejected in 1898.
AT the last Convention, | thought there was
an opportunity TO break up this habit, by taking
the election Of county officers from the legisla
ture--for the members of the Legislature always
appeared to make more political capital ou
of the county appointments, than all other
nppoiutments--a1d | voted for those arti
clps not because | approved of that mode
of appointment, especially that article pro
viding for the election of Justices by ih'
people of the towns, but because | felt quite
sure that it could not be much worse than oul
present mode of appointment by the legisla
ture--and yet with this species of votes IL
favor Of the articles, they were rejected
) by the Convention, to the grievous disaP-
pointment Of those sagacious politicians
; who constantly underrate the good sense anC
intelligence of the people, both in relation tC
men and measures. They had predicted with
their usual confidence and, elevated by con.
seriousness of their own superb sagacity, YER
lily believed that if we Should give the election
r Of county officers 10 the people, they would be
; pleased as child with rattle. So III selecting
! men for Office in our modern caucusses, they in
5 like manner underrate the good sense and IN
t telligence Of the people--for these same saga
cious politicians at once point at the most tai
ented men and most able substantially the
same sagacity they at oIce perceive that the
:. people are not capable Of approaching their
talents and will not vote for them--they there.
, fore descend 10 second and ihird-ra;e men 10
/; find candidates that the people will vote for,
t and by party tactics they are elected; whereas,
if the PEOPLE we're let alone, their good sense
wouli enable them 10 select the most talented
, and best men Tor Office. But | may as we'll
, dismiss The subject, for if have no, uttered
| vain Knowledge | have made use ofspeeches
, wherewith / can do no good
| | have been informed that the council of
, Censors have il also in contemplation, TO pro-
pose an article of amendment equalizing the
representation in theEIouse of Representatives.
have long since formed very decided opin-
ion on this subject, and have more confidence
in its correctness, because i, has always been
: the same, whether resided in large or small
town. But since an opinion, though long en-
, tertaiued and often expressed, without any rea-
son 10 support il, seems TO have little weight
with difficult people, and since ii is with some
, difficulty that write, must refer TO the re-
marks which | made in the last convention
page IA, for my reasons And if can "rlte
anv more in relation 10 the Constitution, 1t VIII
be an attempt 10 convince the people that the
ia,t,cle in the Constitution providing for lis
amcndmen, ought to be aboshed-an article
which is found 10 no other Constitution.
Ripton, Nov. II, 1s41. DAN'L CHIPuAN.