The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-07-09
BY G.. G.. EASTMAN.
REFORM STATE CONVENTION,

table number OF towns met Ut tHeIstd vi TIE Aou
day of June, ISL, and organized by choosing
Hon. DANIEL COBB, President, and john
WRIGHT, Esq Secretary.
On motion, it was voted that a committee orfve
be raised to present to this Convention the business
to be transacted. Whereupon the chair ANNOUNCE
ed the names Of the following gentlemen, viz:
Capt. Alden Partridge, DIR, Thomas Winslow, Col,
Moses Preston, John Baldwin, Esq, and Horace
tiiield, Esq, Voted TO adjourn until o'clock,
p, NJ.
The Convention met agreeable to adjournment,
Mr. Cobb by request, was excused from serving
us President of the Convention, and john BALD
WIN, Esq. was then elected. The committee rails
ed TO present to the Convention business for It's
consideration, came in and reported the following
preamble and resolutions, which having been read
was adopted;
Whereas the great object Of nslituting government
il to promote the welfare of the great body of
the people who are governed; and whereas the
taking from the people any portion of the pro-
duets of their industry, by means of taxes, or
otherwise, beyond what is absolutely necessary
to delray the expenses Of the Government under
risdly economical administration of the same,
is so far departing from the objects for which
Government was established; Therefore,
RGsolre} That the people Of Vermont ought
no; 10 be taxed more than what is absolutely nc
cessary 10 meet the necessary expenditures Of the
State government under Il rgidlY economical ad-
minislraton OF the same
Rcs0lrci That State debt permanently fixed
on the people of Vermont would be one of the
greatest evils that could be inflicted upon them;
that il would ultimately, (as in Engand) reduce
the hardy and patriotic farmers, mechanics, &c. OF
the Mountain State to the condition of mere hcwcrS
Of ,rood and drawers of acaier to purse proud
arisiocracv Of JundhOlders, BaRkers, Sc.
Rcsolred, That this Convention views with deep
regret the present condition of the fiscal concerns
of Vermont. Embarrassed with Il State debt of
nearly two hundred thousand dollars, which is Ia
pdIy increasing in consequence of the annual en-
penses exceeding by several thousand dollars the
ordinary revenue of the State.
ReSolrej, that il be earnestly recommended TO
the Legislature, at its next session, 10 adopt the
most chCicH and least 0ppreSsice measures, for
canceling this State debt, and for bringing the State
back 10 the independent and ilourishing condition
il sustained under the wise and economical admin
stralon of its patriotic and truly republican ioun-
ders.
Rcsolrc}, That for the purpose of accomplish
ing 50 desirable an object, 1t he urgently recon-
mended 10 tho Legislature at lis next session, to
abolish all offices that are not absolutely necessary
for the efficient administration OF the government,
and also to reduce the salaries of all State officers
to what they were daring the first term Of Mr..
.rrrERsoN's administration.
Resoire{, That it be urgently recommended to
Al, - uVit LIST of
party, to make the subject of STATE RLFoRN Il
lest question at the Boiio' Dor on the first Tues
day in September next, ard not to give their votes
for any candidate of any party, for any Office nm
der the State or for seat in either branch of the
Legislature, who will not openly pledge himself
Tin the most uncquivOcul mnnner) 10 use his utmost
oxcrons in bringing ont the great principles OF
State reform by making provisions the least Jur-
heasome 10 the people, for cuncelIing the State debt,
and bringing the 0aauai Sitte Expenditures with
in the Oriiaary revenue.
And whereas rigid economy in the admlnlsra-
ton Of the General Government is not less impOr-
toni than it Us under State Government There
fore,
Rcsovrcl, That it no urgently recommended 10
Congress 10 introduce rigid system of letrcnch-
ment in the expenditures of the peoples money, by
abolishing all unnecessary offices and establish
ments, in the Civil, Military and Naval Departments;
by ceniining the expenditures to the legitimate OBJ
iects of the government, as specified in the Con-
sitution of the United Stalcs by reducing their
own pay and cmolumenis, and also the pay and
emonmenls Of all those holding Offices under the
United States, TO what they were during the first
term of Nr Jeilerson's administration.
Resolred, That it be urgently recommended 10
the freenen Of Vermont, not to vote for any can
dIdate for seat in Congress, who will not openly
and unequivocally pledge himself TO use his best
excrtions to carry out the principles Of reform in
our National expenditures, recommended IN the
preceding resolution.
Resolrei. That committee Of three be appoint
ed by the Convention 10 prepare an address TO the
freemen of Vermont on the ject Of State reform
generally; and that the same committee be au-
thorised and requested to address a memorial 10
Congress at lis next session on the same subject
1.-THE committee appointed by the foregoing re-
solution to prepare an address to the freemcn Of
Vermont, were, Capt. Alden Partridge, Hon. Dan
iel Cobb, and ]. Wright, Esq.l
Resolrej, That when this Convention adjourn
il adjourn to meet at Montpelier on the first We'd
nesday in July, 1912, at 10 o'clock, A. NJ.
ResoIre9, That this Convention is opposed Ia
the establishment of United States Bank, under
any form. on the ground Of unconsulonaIliy and
inexpediency; and should the present or any fu-
ture Congress so Gar disregard the Consultation and
tho expressed will OF the people, 10 charter sucf
an institution, we would urgently recommend tt
the people to elect members of Congress who vii
Immediately repeal such charter.
Resolred, That this convention recommend t.
The freemen Of this State the Hon. NATHAN
SMILE, as suitable person TO be supported fo
Governor al the next election
Resolred, That the proceeding Of this conven
ton be signed BY the President and Secretary, ant
that the Editors of newspapers in Montpelier, ant
all other editors friendly to reform, be requested tt
publish The same.
JOHN BALDWIN, President
j. WRIGHT, Secretary.