Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-12-20
From The BeiiowS Falls Ga1ette.
THE COUNCIL OF CENSORS.-No.

MIR. EDITOR :-In my former article it was sta
ted that the only power possessed by the Council
of Celsors which is not equally within The scope
of the powers and duties of some one of the 9TH
er branches of the government, is that of propos.
! ing amendments TO the Constitution and of cal-
ling II convention to act Oh them aud this num-
her will he principally devoted to a discussion Of
that point
The Constitution provides that The Council of
Ceusors shall enquire whether the Constitution
has been preserved inviolae, aud whether the e-
gslative and executive branches OF government
have assumed to themselves, or exercised, other
or greater powers than they are entled to by the
Constitution "They are also to enquire wheth-
er the public taxes have been justly laid and col
ected IN what manner the public moneys have
been disposed OF, and whether the laws have been
duly executed" "They shall have authority to
pass public censures, TO order impeachmenIs, and
TO recommend TO the legislature the repeating Of
such laws ms appear TO them TO have been enacted
contrary to the principles of the Constitution"
As 10 the first of these powers, every citizen of
the State has light to enquire into the subject
and TO publish the result of his investigation But
it is more especially the duty of the House of
Representatives TO enquire whether the executive
aud all officers of the government have been gull
y of usurpation NAL administration IN the dis
charge of their official duties, and TO order the de-
nquenls mpeached. Still there is very little re-
lance in the power of impeachment 10 protect the
people against the usurpatlon and corruption of
officers OF the government and it is very seldom
resored to. II is generally considered to be
mere scare-crow. The people understand too
well the efficiency of the annual elections as
check upon the corrupons and usurpations of
officers OF the government to place much reliance
on lmpeacnnents or public censures for prolec-
lion. They are well aware that all unprincped
officers of the government will stand in thou
sand fold greater fear Of the annual ballot boxes
than they will of the impeaChments or censures
of the septenary Council of CeIsors. There is
little danger that the legislative department of the
government will "assume 10 itself other great
er powers Than il is entitled to-" except in enact
ing unconstitutional laws. This they have DONE
aud they may do it again But suppose this should
occasionally happen the extent OF The power of
the Council of Censors is 10 recommend the re-
peal of such laws This they can do once in sew
en years, but they cannot even then their
operation But there is a more efficient branch
oI the government TO whom all those oppressed
hy such laws can resort at all inns for redress
the Judicnry-and when The Courts declare q
law unconstitutional, that law becomes dead let
ter, perfect nullily, and there is an end of the
mischief But ibis is not all. The people have
he power in their own hands 10 arrest the evil
five times over, before they can hope Tor relief
from the action of the Council of Censurs; for
whether law is constitutional or unconsiilution-
al If 1t is oppressive The people have the power 10
procure ils speedy repeaI-lhey can petition the
legislature for its repeal IL that body should
disregard their petitions, they elect other men
The next year who will better regard the will Of
their constituents. The Council of Censors is
therefore entirely unnecessary to protect the peo-
pie against abuses in the evying, collection and
expenditures Of the public money Tor wherever
he revenues arise from direct taxes the people
and their representatives from the strong instinct
of sell-inlerest will keepa most wachfu eye 10
his subject aud party spirit will also come TO their
aid for the correction of abuses. The LEGISLATURE
is responsible to the people for all expenditures
authorized 10y law; and oil disbursing officers aud
all those appointed 10 lay out any moneys are di-
recily responsible 10 the Legislature for the iailhv
iul discharge Of the trust. The Governor is re-
qnired 10y The Constitution to see that the laws
duly executed This power is deposited with
him, and MS he is directly responsible 10, and de-
pendent on, the people Tor re election, he will
have the highest inducement 10 he faithful. And
rs the Legislature can act more promptly and ei.
fcently for the correction OF executive den-
luency, the Council Of Censors 10 surely unneces-
sary TO investigate the doings OF the Executive.
IL this view OF the subject is just il follows that
the people through the action Of The several de-
partinents OF the government, and through the ex-
ercse of the elective franchise, have ample means
10 protect themselves against all abuses and usur-
pations growing out of had administration Of
The government without the intervention Of the
Council OF Censors If the Council Of Censors
is necessary in This Stale, is equally necessary
in all the other States Of the Union yet no other
State has similar branch of its government, and
this fact alone IL conclusive that il is an unneces.
sary appendage to tho government of Vermont
A FREEMAN