Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-07-31

worn out cant of hypocrites and scoun-
drels in Legislation to frighten and intmi-
date the people-and keep their huge
paws from their special privileges, which
they call vested Rights.
We are not writing against Rail Roads.
Those who have the means and the dispoI
slton may run them hlhet and thither till
the good old farmers of Vermont find 40
many iron horses on their lowlands
as flies around their sugar bowls in
July, Tor ought that we care, if the corpor-
ators ask for no special privileges; blu:
when you come togrant such abominable
charters as that of the central Rail Road
exempting three or four millions of CAPT.
tai in the state from taxation and placing
the charter beyond the control of all earthly
power, we think it is putting the knife in
a little too far for comfort asking alto
gether too much of the classes upon whom
the burden Of the State Government falls,
1t may be that the good people ofthis state
will allow the charter Of the Central Rail-
road to remain precisely as it is, and it
may be they ~ilInOt, 1t may be that this
sanclimonious talk about the sacredness
of vested rights will save this detesta-
bic charter from their just indignation
when they come TO understand the matter.
We understand, by-the-way that the
abettors and uphoIders of this wicked
charter feel quite sure that the people
will be "blulfed off" because they sue
ceeded in getting a report at the last ses-
sion Of the Legislature, in favor of the
thing as a "vestcd Right" 1t is true that
at the last session of the Legislature, a
bill was introduced, repeating that provis-
ion Of the Central Railroad act, which
oxempts said company's stock and prop
erty from taxation. The Committee to
whom it was referred, reported that the
Bill was unconstitutional This report was
then referred to the JUDICIARY Cont
MITTEE," who reported that the Legisla-
tHresEj"hds not popcr to pass said JWefO
Here then is the opinion ,of two of the
standing committees ofthe House of Rep
rcsentatives, Of the State of Vermont
Let us examine it. The first says it is
unconstitutional. But what section of the
constitution would be thereby violated,
this special committee have not conde-
cended to point out, nor can they, or
any other committee or individual, point
out any such doctrine in that sacred in
strumcnt.
But the Constitution does provide that
the Legislature may "prepare bills and
enact them into laws" and that they may
redress grievances, may grant char
tiers of interpretations, but may not in
fringe any part of this constitution. =
But will committee of the Legislature,
pretend that when the Legislature has
passed a law which infringcs the constitu-
ton, that it is unconstitutional to repeal
that law? We think not. % Well then what
says to Constitution "That every mem
Der of society hath a right to be protec-
ted in the enjoyment Of life. liberty
and property, and thefore is bound to
contribute his propOrtio" towards the en-
pease Of that protectiOn." The Central
railroad act contains then two palpable
infringements upon the Constitution
first in denying protection to individuals
in the enjoyment of their property, and
secondly, in eXemptng company q ln-
diciduaLs from contributing their proper
ton towards the expense OF that protec-
ion"
The Judiciary committee however, I'M
willing to speak 50 large word, but dis
posed to carry the same principle, say,
the legislature has no powcr to repeaH!-
But the Constitution says that, "they
shall have power to-redress grlevean-
ce 81 And it is no grievance that the
poor laborer who is toiling hard for the
support of his little ones, may have his
scanty garden. and his little cottage talk
en- from him by the rich and opulent be
cause they choose to enact a railroad,
and Paddy's hut, upon the venerated
spot?-is it no grievance that he is COM
PEELED to toll and sweat, to pay the tares of
this privileged company with their mil
lions!
Will the Judiciary Committee, or any
other person of ordinary capacity con-
tend for moment, that the Legislature
has not the power, to amend, or even re-
peal any unconstitutional la,c which may
be found upon the Statute Book'
The 10th Section, of the lst article Of
the constitution Of the United States, pro-