The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-11-08

SeQuentY, imposition ana hoNc too hSIuShb
Iy had more to do than merit in the appointment Of
these officers The Council, therefore, have thought
it advisable to give these appointments directly to the
people, who will be best acquainted with the qualfica
ton ofthose who serve them, and will be bet
ter enabled to select and well inclined to appoint,
the best to office, the body whose duty it now
is 10 make these appointments.
As, in free government all appointments TO office,
us well as all laws, proceed directly or indirectly from
the people, well be denied that rs far as prac-
tcable, these powers should be retained by them
The Council, therefore, recommend that the cleo
ton of sheriff and high baif be given to the rec
men Of the county These executive officers Oh
the county, clothed in the execution Of Their dutIes'
with the power TO coutrol, not only the property, but
the persons of individuals. Their authority is con-
fined to ana pcvadcs the county, and their appoint
ment ought, therefore, not to be taken from the
people Of the county.
In regard to the appointment of justices of the
peace by the freemen Of their respective towns, al
though the Office is for the county yet, their
vices are mostly confined to the town in which they
reside; and inasmuch as, in the case, they will
be personally known to every eector, and in the 9th
or (if elected by the county, will be known to but
few, it is the opinion of the Council that the whole
public interest will be better subserved by giving the
appointment of the justices of the pence TO the free
mon of the town in which they reside, than in any
other way.
We have therefore, proposed amendment of
the constitution giving the appointment of this officer
directly to the freemcn Of the town; and we have
likewise recommended that the number Of justices,
to be appointed for each town, be somewhat in pro-
portion to the number Of inhabitants Of each town
no town being allowed more than twelve.
We have proposed an amendment to the tenth sec
ton of the second chapter of the constitution, alter
ing the manner of making of votes given for
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Treasurer,
thorizng the several presiding officers the
al freemen's meetings in this state to forward
ticate of the number of votes given, without
hitting the ballots themselves.
Under the present mode, considerable inconven-
ence 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 canvassing committee when ascertaining the
number of votes for the respective candidates.
The subject of abolishing the Council of Censors,
and giving the power to propose amendments Of the
constitution to one or more branches Of the Lcgisa-
ture, has been presented to the deliberate consldera-
ton Of this Council. 1t has been urged that would
be important saving of expense TO the state, and
that the other duties Of the Council, prescrib
ed, have, by the progress Of improvement, in the leg
islative and and judicial depa rtmens of the govern
ment, become unmportant and useless. But, after
a full discussion of the subject have not judged
it cxpedient recommend the aboishing Of that body.
We have reason TO apprehend that if the power to
propose amendments Of the constitution were
cscd by one or both branches of the Legislatures
there would be no saving of expense, considering
the time that would thus be occupied by those bod
ies;-that party politics would too often mix with
the discussions, and influence the decisions in rca-
ton to the proposals of amendment.
The Council have seen fit to place before you, for
your consideration and decision, one other proposal
Of amendment Of the constitution This relates to
the forty section of the second part Of that in
strument. We propose to alter and amend the sec
ton to give directly to the people the adoption
rejection Of such recommendation of amendments TO
the constitution shall be proposed by the Council
of Censors
This measure will place the question of amend
ment before each individual, who will be dependent
upon for the expression Of his opinions. 1t
commends itself to your favorable consideration, be-
it is in strict conformity with the first principles
of republican government. The constl uton is the
ground work of the law of the land, and, as SUCH
should proceed directly from those who are bound by
it. This is the charter by which all the departments
OF the government are limited, and which declares
thus far shalt thou go and no farther. 7 he people
have right to alter amend tho constitution TO pro
mote their welfare, and that right is inaienable A
right vitality important, which with so little
Inconvenience be exercised by the frecmen them
selves, should never be entrusted to others.
The power to propose amendments must necessar-
lily be delegated to selected body. In the diff
erent states, different rules prevail. In some, it is
given to the leg stature, under certain rcstrctons in
othersto convention elected by the people, in ours,
to a convention elected in seven years. But
the power of adopting rejecting ought always to
be vested in the freemen themselves, and an oppor-
tuni,y is offered to the people of Vermont to