Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-12-13

ana u mas often been remarked by intelligent men
that this council is unnecessary, and ought to be
abolished. This opinion unquestionably prevails
to considerable extent all over the state. 1t is
proposed to go into brief discussion of the sub"
ect in two or three newspaper articles. 1t should
be borne IN mind that the only power possessed
by the Council of Censors, which is not equally
within the scope Of the powers OF some ofthe 9TH
er branches of the government, is that of propose
ing amendments to the Constitution, and of cal
ling a Convention to act on those amendments.
Now II this single power can be deposited in some
other branch of the government which will be an
equally safe and judicious depositary of the pow
or, il follows that the CotNil OF Censors is an
unnecessary branch of the government, and may
be properly abolished.
Let us suppose then, that the constitution is 80
amended as to give to the Senate power TO pro-
pose amendments every fifth year, if they see
cause. Then when majority of the Senate
should agree upon any particular amendments, the
same shonld be entered ut large on the journal,
with the yeas and nays thereon That If two
| thirds of the Senate should so decide such
amendments should be published and referred 10
the people for their action thereon, that If such
amendments should be approved and ratified by
a majority OF the people voting thereon, at meet
\ ings legally warned and holden for that purpose
they should become part Of the Constitution
land the Council of Censors should be thereby
abolished. In the first place such an amendment
would effect n considerable saving of expense, and
in the next place it would give every freeman an
opportunity to exercise his equal voice and equal
influence in the adoption of all future amendments
to the Constitution. But first let us look at the
saving of expense. The fees of the constobles of
the several towns Of Windham county for return
ing the votes for the present Council of Censors,
to the Clerk of the County Court, as taken from
the record amount to $40 %. If this is fair
average as it probably is, or nearly so, then the
expense Of returning the votes in the IA counties
will amount to S5731
The fees of ii county clerks for going
to the CauitoI and cnuynSsluu the
as appears by the auditors book, is s2432i
There were about 1900 vo es cast for
Council of Censors, and allowing tie eX-
perse and trouble Of attending the meet
ings to have been twenty-five cents toi
each voter, this item is $4,000
Debenlures of The Council of Ceusors
and incidental expenses, including print
ing, say SIUUO
Making the expense of the Council
alone S5076 95
Expenses of Convention TO act on
amendments proposed, say S55O0,OO
Making gross amount of Sl05I6,91
i There are doubtless some other items which
might be added, but this is enough for the present
We may safely calculate then, that under the
present system, the people of the state are direct
Iy taxed at least ten thousand dollars every sew
enth year for the support OF the Council OF Cen
sors, exclusive of the trouble and expense Of the
lreemen's meetings to elect the delegates to attend
the septenary Convention called by that board
But by adopting the above article OF amendment,
nearly every dollar Of this sum would be saved.
The Senate, every fifth year, would appoint
. committee TO inquire whether any amendments
+ were necessary-all petitions, resolutions, and oil
other papers relative this subject would be re-
ferred to this committee. This committee, IKE
. the other committees of the Senate would hold
ito meetings during the recess OF the Senate TO IN
h qure into the business with which It was carg-
r ed; and if il should report that no amendments
were necessary, the question would probably be
@ put at lest for another five years If, however,
, the committee should report amendments the
i Senate, it is believed would have ample time 10
consider and act upon them, and also to accom-
i psh all its legislative business within the time
that the House of Representatives would require
;. to complete the ordinary legislative business OF
. the session. If we ure correct IN this, 1t folows
# that by adopting this plan tile people OF the state
- would be relieved from an expense OF ten thou
= sand dollars every seven years-and whoever VIII
take the trouble to make an accurate estimate OF
q the saving to the people, including annual interest
tor term Of fifty six years, will find 1t amounts
Il to about half million of dollars
l. Now if the Senate is an equally safe depostary
" of this power and there is no reason TO doubt H.
10 it would seem to be the part of wisdom TO erect
err change which would relieve the people rom so
ia considerable burden. To tighten the burdens OF
10 taxation is worthy the careful consideration
> and when thus can be effected by looping oil an
unnecessary branch of the government, should II
: not be done?
But when we come to consider in the second
place. the rights of the freemen this subject, we
find principle involved of such inestimable val
ue that it cannot be measured by dollars and
cents
The great democratic principle which lies at the
foundation Of all free governments is Tins that
a majority of the people of the state have All in
herent, inalienable and indefeasabe right, 10 alter
amend their constitution, SO as to estahlsh me
government upon such principles as they shall
Judge will best secure the rights and promote the
welfare and happiness of the people.
A right So vitality important as tins, and one
which can be exercised by the people themselves,
with SO little Inconvenience, should never be dele
gated. 1t is decidedly safer in the hands OF the
people than it would be in those OF Convention.
There is, however, necessity tor deiegatIhg Inc
power to form and propose amendments but SO
long as the power of approving or rejecting them
is retained by the people little evil need be appre-
hended.
is it not little remarkable that the freemen OF
Vermont have suffered themselves to be deprived
of the exercise of this most important right, tor
more than half century-while their neIghoors
of New-York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and
Maine, have, within less than hall that time, as
serted it, and secured il TO themselves by provls-
ion in the Constitution of each of those States
that the lie Iislature mny propose amendments, pur
that the people shall approve or REJECT inen' VI
town meeting, as majority OF the voters si'a'
decide. Do not the freemen OF vermont uhuer'
stand their rights as WELL and have they not a:
great share of wisdom and intelligence TO quail
y them for the exercise of those rights, as then
neighbors of The above named states! No one
will pretend to question this. Then lei them IN
sist that the Constitution shall he so amended as
to restore to Them this lnestlmable right oil whlch
they have long been deprived. Delegated pow
er is always in danger Of being abused-s'il'' u
the people retain The power in their own hands, 10
confirm or reject whatever their delegates pro-
pose, they can protect themselves from all ABUSE
InGth a dali ataA naaI
power 10 decide whether the proposals OF the del
egates shall go into effect or not, you take away