Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-11-06
THE LEGISLATURE,
Saturday, Oct. IS.
SENATE.

Prayer by the Chaplain.
Petitions presented. By Mr. Onion, Of
George Green and others Of Swanton; re-
rerreG to the committee on Education
BY Mr. Chittenden, Of Oliver Beckwith;
referred to the Judiciary committee.
Reports. BY Mr. Morgan, from the
Committee on Elections in favor of the
bill amending chapter LIST of R. S. rclat-
ing to election by plurality, with an a.
mendment, providing for additional trials,
if there should be no plurality on the third
ballot; the amendment was adopted. On
the question the third reading of the bill
Mr. j. Barrett remarked that having intro
duced the bill 1t became him perhaps TO
express briefly his views in relation TO it.
TO direct, unavoidable effect Of the law as
it now stands is well known 10 all. That
effect has more especially manifested itself
Of late years, and never more so than
during the present. No less than between
thirty and forty towns, and some Of them
too the more important towns olthe State,
although as deeply concerned as any other
in the promotion of the common veal are
now perfectly voiceless in the other
branch Of our Legislature. This state Of
things all would acknowledge an evil,
that loudly calls for a remedy. This bill
none would deny would afford the remedy
sought, and in his view it would be per-
fectly harmless in its operation. Although
empowering minorlties, under certain Cir
cums,ances, to elect and thus apparently
infringing the general principle OF the
right Of majorities alone TO govern, still in
its practical working it would not operate
unequalIy or unjustly. In political respect
the results of elections thus gained through
the State at large would probably counter
balance each other and consequently could
not greatly affect the relative standing OF
parties: and in reference to the general
good which we are all alike trying TO
promote, change in the existing law
would certainly prove of no inconslderabIe
benefit to the State. Neither would it be
introducing novel principle into our po-
Iilical system, Our Co. Senators may at
ways be elected by a Pluralty; so are our
Representatives to Congress, if no choice
is affected before the third trial. The
same system prevails in almost every state
out of New England, and il it succeeds
elsewhere there is no reason why it should
fai! here. No great harm could result
from, the passage Of The bill, and It's neces-
sarv effect would be to correcta state Of
,bings BY witch The people are deprived
Of voice in that legislation which alike
effects the rights and the interests OF ALL
lie had no personal concern in this hill
but his regard for the welfare Of the State
caused him TO wish ardently It might be
come law.
On motion of Mr. Billings, the bill wa
ordered to lie on the table for examlna
ton.
Bill introduced. By Mr. Button estab
fishing a hospital at Castleton; referred t'
committee on Education.
Bills from the House To incorporate
the Winooski Mill Company; referred tc
the committee on Manufactures. In re
la,on TO Tess Of defendents in jsstice court
referred to The committee on the Judcla
ry In relation to animals o: iorelgl
growth in agricultural fairs; referred TO tn
committee on Agriculture.
: Engrosscd bills. To incorporate tn
Bennington County Bank. Mr. Villas NOV
ed to Law the bill on the table TO be mad
the special order for Tuesday mornn
] next, carried.
Eagrossed Resolutions. Providing &c
the purchase and distribution of5O coPle
of w ashburn's Digest; adopted.