Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-11-11
AMENDMENTS ro.ruE CONSTITUTION


OF Censors We then expressed doubts policy
say that conversation snce with Intelligent and men
has confirmed the oPon we then entertained We do not
pose notice u the amendments proposed, go
extended discussion OF Of them We have the time,
mud the ability, necessary for the purpose. Our object is
merely call the attention Of the people of the euding
amendments aud 10 make few bDef remarks upon OF
them We induced to do this because the time Tueday
next ia hand when delegates be chosen
convention which is to deliberate and finally decide upon the
The important amendment, and that which woul work
greatest change tho fundamental of the state
which proposes an alteration IN the mode OF amending the
shtuon This Is subject OF great and general interest," and
should awaken the attention of the whole community Accord
existing regulAtoh nl alterations amendments of the
constitution be proposed by the Council OF Censo: chosen
delegate from each in the state in its organzed pclt
cal capacity No amendment therefore, can be made to the
constitutions under its provisions unless the amendment
is first proposed by council representing the eemen of the
seuting OF the several towns in their separate
porate capacity This compound mode of altering the organic
representations well fitted preserve proper and
debe9ton IN a mater s ct afn hgn pubic importance, ANA
and having hitherto worked WE'LL and being in our op
free from well founded objection III principle, we should
The proposition of the Council is, give sim
majority of the irecmeu Of the state the of adopting
amendments addition to the power they now virtually possess
proposing amendments that the whole the sub
iec OF amendments will oriy OF the tfeemcn
their aggregate collective capacity We think that this
q mower of altering the organic law Of the state should
such regulations and restrictions, and subject to such
checks will be likely prevent any rash mprovident
of and greatly fear that this essential security viii
be lost materially impaired and that evils of no small
magnitude will aud felt especially IL times of high po
lucal excitement amendments proposed by mere majority
the Council of Censors may become the constitution
by a majority of the popular vote.
1t i. easy see, it the amendment proposed should be
adopted, it will be long before will give rise ques
the state. 1t will undoubtedly lead another amendments al
vey essentially the constitution OF the House OF Repre-
the in that bnrh of the legislature, II may be
deemed eKPeden to take away the separate OF
cpe being both niudcious and unnecessary The cor
poe representation of towns established and
and founded the principles Inherited from our fathers be
gan with the beginning OF the state government and eoeyaI
with history franchise having the sanction and sup
port of mmenoral usage, and in no town will the people Wi
ngy consent to so much as even partial surrender OF Hbds
mcnt of the privilege. 81. :,
Legislative power there would be strong reasons upon the sup
position that other remedy could be provided for
scntnon in it, upon more popular basis Bu such not the
ample remedy has been provided Tor the supposed dc
feet and the which might have been urged time
with much appearance force for equal representation
has ceased exist 1t has been entirely obvaed by the esiab
shmen Of Senate coordinate branch OF the legislature
constituted upon the basis of populations and having abo
negative upon the House and by increasing the power OF the
governor elected by the popular vote, far as to give hn
ccs proper dustment OF which always forms the Chief
ccence aimed at constitutional governments, the govern
ment perfect in its structure amendments to the
constitution make it. is idle to talk perfect equality IN
perfect equality cannot be attained under the
existing civil divisions of the state without breaking in upon
old established rights and ubvertng long cherished principles
aud usiges Whatever inequality OF population exists m he az,
rent towns time will correct The progress IN tins
distant day prevail Besides, be remembered that the
small towns located in no particular geographical quarter,
more or less OF them part have much advan
age in representation another is also to be borne in
mind that every has peculiar interests and objects of its
aud TINT it requisite it should have representative IN
the legislature take charge of it. local interests and objects
and be doubted, think, that such aeesenta-
ton makes the government more emphatchy me government
Of the people, it greater degree public confidence
gives strength aud stability. We should
very regret this feature in satc al
tered married by innovation, not called for as we ar"
not by any just principle in the science of free govern
enment by any defect attended with practical dis
advantage in the form of our civil poty,
The other amendment to which referred in the
.
bas elected by the eemen of the respective counties, and
the justices of the peace by the eemen ofbe several
nor do we now see any very serious objections 10 ~ save
that may be regarded entering wedge TO another amend
meut providing for the election, in the mode OF other
som and here append the remarks Of one whose judgment
have yet where these views expressed;
much be doubted whether the people will feel great
may intended much ola compliment their intel
gence patriotism Their object must be- they know it is
filed, with political partzans, but with men OF
sdned capacity, established character and gndoubed neg
which accomplished whether by of their direct and
immediate action, through the nsIrumenaiy Of agents by
them annually elected for the purpose Inc power OF appoint
ment IS virtually in the people, exercised by them 70 be
sure through their authorized and responsible 9gns Inc
hens can be made more peaceahy and quietly ana at me
time less fairly aud judciousy, in the DID, accustomed and
puehce ma violence excited and enTaged popular con
that the predominant evil of the day is the multitude of noisy
aud meddng politicians who nfes the land and they cannot be
ing which bring them into existence by providing
new amen for their subsistence by widening still the
But fhe principle Of the amendment right, why not
out to It's n legitimate E, Si.en, and embrace AL the
extend judges of probate, judges Of the county
and Judges OF the Of Seso md "1 o very e that
be carried the extent supposed H. pretty satisfactory
argument that the amendment unsound IN principle and that
the reasoning urged in support OF superficial and fsa
eiouS,"