Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-10-30
THE LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.
SATURDAY, Oct. Is.


Of r. s., relating to election by plurality, with an
amendment. providing for additional trials if there
should be no plurality on the third ballot the
amendment was adopted. On the question of the
third reading of the bill, Mr. j. Barrett remarked
that having introduced the BILL it became him
perhaps to express briefly his views in relation to
it, The direct, unavoidable effect Of the law as it
now stands is well known to all. The 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 of the State,
although deeply concerned any others in the
promotion Of the common veal perfectly
voiceless in the other branch Of our Legislature
This state of things all would acknowledge an evil,
that loudly calls for remedy. This bill none would
deny would afford the remedy sought, and in his
view it would be perfectly harmless in its opera
ton. Although empowering minorities, under GER
tain circumstances, to elect and thus apparently
infringing the general principle Of the right Of
jorlties alone to govern, still in It's practical work.
ing il would not operate unequally unjustIy. In
political respect, the results of elections thus
gained through the State at large would probably
counterbaance each other aud consequently would
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 exist
ing law would certainly prove of no inconsiderabe
benefit to the State. Neither would it be intro
ducing novel principle into our political system.
Our county Senators may always be elected by
plurality; our Representatives to Congress.
if no choice is effected before the third ueal The
same system prevails in almost every State out of
New England: and f ii succeeds elsewhere there
is no reason why ii should fail here No great
harm could result from the passage of the BILL and
its necessary effect would be to correct a state of
things, by which the people are deprived of a voice
in that legislation which alike affects the rights and
the interests of all. lie had no personal concern
in the bill, but his regard for the welfare of the
State caused him to wish ardently it might become
a law.
On motion Of Mr. Billings, the bill was ordered
to lie on the table for examination
Resolution introduced. BY Mr. T. Il. Barrett
from the committee on Military affairs, instructing
our Senators and requesting representatives in
Congress to their exertions to recover from the
possession of the General Department, the cannon
taken at Bennington adopted.
HoUsE.-Pettion presented BY Mr. Kellogg, Of
Thomas Robinson and others, praying for the re-
charter of the Bellows Falls Bank referred TO the
committee on Banks.
Reports BY Mr. Fairbanks, from the commits
tee on Education, in favor Of the bill providing for
the improvement of common schools with certain
amendments; the amendments were adopted and
the bill was ordered tn lie on the table, and 800
copies printed. BY Mr. Russell, from the Judcia-
ry committee, against the expedency Of so alter
ing the law as to require town clerks TO make out
the list of voters previous TO election.
Bill passed. Relative to foreign cattle in apri-
cultural fairs.
Resolution. BY Mr. Rice, that whereas it is be-
lieved that the perpetuity of exclusive privileges is
conference.-the and dangerous to the dearest rights
of republican people, it is nexpedient re-char-
ter any banks at the present time referred TO
select committee, consisting Of one member from
each county. Adjourned.
MONDAY, Oct. 30.
SENATE.-Bil reported BY Mr. Sabin from the
committee on Education, providing for the i'm
provement of common schools. Mr. Sabin stated
that the bill was substantially like that Of last year.
and moved that it be laid on the table without
reading, and 300 copies be ordered to be printed
carried.
HousE.-Mr Lynde of Guford appeared, was
sworn and took his seat
The chair announced the select committee on
The resolution declaring nexpedlen to recharter
Banks-Messrs Rice. Blackmer Edgerton, Har-
low, Middlebrook, Bill, Dorwin, Ordway, KimbalI,
Barlow, Wheelock Waterman, Reyes. Davis.
Also the committee to the boundary line be-
tween Bennington and Windham counties, Messrs
Parsons, Rice, Aiken, Bacheller, Bishop, Steison.
Bills introduced By Mr. Barlow, relating to H.
shall be considered retailers inn-keepers, &C. and
authorizing seectmen to grant licenses sell lq-
uors fixing penalties, &c.;) referred 20 the Gener
al committee. BY Mr. Lawrence, relating to pros
ecutons for support of Legitimate children; re-
ferred TO the Judiciary committee. BY Mr. Hail.
TO increase the capital stock of the Bank of Brat
tleboro to Sl00,00O; referred to the committee on
Banks. BY the same, in amendment of chap so
r. s.; referred to the committee on Banks
Engrossed Bill To repeal the act granting a
bounty on silk passed, I2l to SO.
Reports. BY Mr. Russell, from the Judiciary
committee, the bill to prevent the bringing of pau
pers into this state from other states and il was ex-
claimed and supported By Messrs Russell and Kel-
logg and ordered TO third reading. By Mr. KEEL
logg, from the committee, against The bill in
addition to the act for the protection of personal lib
ery. MIR Ksaid the object of the bill was exceeding
ly important and it had received the deliberate and
earnest consideration Of the committee but they
could not resist the opinion that it is hut Justice TO
exempt the officers of the federal government from
the operation Of the present law, The bill was
rejected almost unanimously. BY Mr. Marston,
from the Judiciary committee, the bill in addition
to chap. r. S., relating to the election Of town
representatives, who remarked that the committee
reported the bill for the sake of bringing il before
the House, rather than from any conviction that
the bill ought TO pass. The bill was laid on the
table. By Mr. Hall from the committee on Roads,
bill granting a ferry TO George Niles, which was
ordered to third reading.
The Governor communicated the report of the
committee appointed in 1913, to examine the ac-
counts of the 10th regiment of Vermont militia,
which was referred to the committee on militia
ry affairs. Adjourned.
SENATE, ahernoon.-The Senate took up the
bill providing for elections by plurality on the
third ballot and without debate, the third reading
Of the bill was refused by vote, taken by rising,
Of IL to H.