Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-11-11
he farmer most generally arrives before be has

inc iatmer as It most generally arrives before he has
competed bis harvest and the early day of election
not unfrequently prevents full attendance of the
| treenen at the polls.
As a remedy for these Inconvenience We have
seen IL, 10 propose to the people, for their consider
oil ireemen's meeting, and the first Thursday of Jan.
inry lollowlng for the converting of the Legislature
given TO that body the power to appoint, by law, a
dllerent day. for the meeting of the Legislature, if
| deemed advisable. Whether this is called for IA n
question for your consideration and decision.
The manner of appointment of the officers Of the
county has been urged upon the Council from var
the pcson, mode elsctng these local officers by the
| Legislature. The candidate cannot DO supposed TO
| he personally known to the few of that body. Con-
se9iiently, imposition and intrigue have too frequent
| W had more 10 do than merit in the appointment of
| these officers The Council therefore, have thought
| II advisable to give these appointments directly to
the people, who will be best acquainted with the
qualification of those who are to serve them and will
he better enabled to select and as well inclined to
appoint the best men to Office as the body whose du-
| ty IT 'nowis 10 make these appointments.
As, m a free government, all appointments to Of
from the people, it cannot well be denied that as far
as practicable, these powers should be retained by
| them. The Council therefore recommend that the
| election of sheriff and high bair be given to the
feenen of the county. These arc executive officers
OF the county, clothed in the execution of their duties
with the power 10 control, not only the property but
the persons of individuals. Their authority is confin-
ed to and pervades the country, and their appoint
men ought therefore, not 10 be taken from the peo-
| pie OF the country.
In regard 10 the appointment of justices of the
peace, by the ireemen of their respective towns, al
though the Office is for the county, yet, their SER
vlces are mostly confined TO the town in which they
reside and lnasmuch as, in the case, they will
he personally known TO every eector and in the other
t elected by the county, will be known to but few it
is the opinion Of the Council that tbs whole public in
tercsi will he better suhsorved by giving le appoint.
ment of the justices of the peace the ecmen of the
town in which they reside, than in any other way.
We have, therefore, proposed an amendment of the
constitution giving the appointment Of this officer
directly to the freemen of the town; and we hive
likewise recommended that the number of Justices,
TO be appointed for each town be somewhat proper.
ton TO the number of Inhabitants of each town-no
one town being allowed more than twelve.
We have proposed an amendment to the tenth sec.
ton of the second chapter the constitution altering
the manner of making returns Of votes given for
Governor Lieutenant Governor and Treasurer All
thoIlzng the several presiding officers over the sew
ora lreenen's meetings in this state to forward
certificate o. the number given, without transmitting
| the ballots themselves.
Under the present mode, considerable inconv.n-
fence has been experienced, while it is not known
that any benefit has been derived. The certificate
Of the officer alone has been all the evidence required
by the canvassns committee when ascertaining the
number Of votes cas-, for the respective candidates
The subject Of abO'ishing the Council of Censors
and giving the power 10 propose amendments of the
constitution to one Or more branches of the Legsla-
t,re hAs been presented to tho deliberate consIera.
ton Of this Council II has been urged that il would
be an important saving OF expense 10 the state aud
that the other duties of the Council, now prescrb-
cd. hive, by the progress of improvement, in the
legislative and ,dical departments of the govern
mont. become unimporfant and useless Rut mfr
full discussion of the subject wo have not Judged
II eXpcdirnt TO recommend the abnlshing Of tina,
body. We have reason TO apprehend that if the pow
er 10 propose amendments Of the constitution were
exercised by one or both branches Of the Legislature
there VS. Id he OF tl,o
tino that would thus be occupied w those bodies;-
that party politics world too often mix with the dis
customs and influence the decisions in relation to the
proposals Of amendment.
The Council have seen ft to place before you for
your consideration and decision, one other proposal
Of amendment of the constitution. This relates TO
the forty-hrd section OF the second part of thai in
strument. We propose to alter and amend the
section as 10 give directly 10 the PEOPLE the adoption
or rejection Of such recommendation of amendments
10 the constitution as shall be proposed by the Coun
ell Of Ceusore.
This measure will place the question of amend
meut before each individual, who will he dcpendon,
upon no one for the expression Of his opinions 1t
comments itself 10 your favorable consideration, be-
cause IS IN strict conformity with the frs, principles
Of n republican government. The constitution is the
ground work Of the law Of tho land, and, as such,
should proceed directly from those who arc bound
ii. This !s the charter by which all the departments
Of the government are limited, and which declares,
thus far shalt thou go and no farther. The people
have right TO alter or amend the constitution to
promote their welfare and tina, right nalienabe
right so vitality important, which can with so little
Inconvenience be exercised by the frccnlen themselves
should never be entrusted 10 others.
The power to propose amendments must neces-
sarly be delegated 10 some select body. In tho DIFF
f,rcnt states different rules prevail In some it is
given to the legislature under certain restrictions IN
others 10 convention elected by the people in os
to a convention elected once in seven years. But the
power o!adoptingor rejecting ought always to be
vested in the irecmcn themselves md an opportuni-
isrnl thu paOp'n nj Vermont IN