Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-10-25

What we have 10 observe Is, that whether
democratic or undemocratc, the practice, for
which the Patriot contends, is uNcoNsTITUrtoN-
AL. 1t is not constitutional for The counties 10
make these appointments. There cannot be o
more clear case than this. We beg leave
to recall historical fact. by the first Cons,itu-
ton the counties did make appointments but
for reasons which were doubtless deemed wise
this power was expressly taken from the counties
by the revised Constitution, and given-not tr
county coucusses not TO the party leaders mo-
to tho brokers in offices, who buy mud sell for 0
commission, but TO the representatives. of the
people, in conjunction with the Council, and
subsequently, with the Senate. See first ConSti
tuton and compare it with the present, Cd part
section g. Is it to be believed, then lis it TO be
argued for a moment that the joint Assembly
has righ! TO continue a system which is mani
festly lunlamount to the old repealed Constitu
tion-Ond that in The face of the new, which
was expressly amended 80 as 10 take from the
counties the power Of appointment, and confer i
upon the JOINT assembly, We think not
Nor is section The only clause Of the Conslitu.
ton bearing upon the matter. Truck and dick
er" in Offices is prohibited with penalty, in sec.
ton a. which sweeps away ut brush the whole
system of bargaining, which is known to have
obtained under the system Of confirming caucus
nominations as matter Of course. Under the
9th section, it is the duty Of the joint Assembly
to appoint, as we understand the wings propose
to do; and iflo appoint, why shall they not do ii
at their own discretion? Indeed, to carry on,
the prohibition of section 81, how is it possible
for the joint Assembly to be true TO the eonstltu-
ton, if it does not only use its discretion, but
superadd severe scrutiny
We grant to the Patriot that it is not udvisa
BILE to do awuy with county conventions; the
wings do not propose TO do SO. These are valu.
able in aiding to selection of proper candidates
in the several counties; they are convenient
helps to the joint assembly but they are not
and cannot constitutonally be, lis masters MOI
is ii right that they should be. The wronged
must 20 without redress-the minority Gun have
no rights unless there is room for appeal to q
higher power This power is the JOINT Assem-
bly--a public body, known TO the Constitution
and responsible TO the people. The Patriot may
blazon tine tyranny of the cOucusses, if it chooses
as democratic but it is the democracy Of the
reign of terror; The democracy Of prescription
the democracy which allows no rights to The mi
nori,y no, not even the right TO ask the JOIN,
Assembly to exercise the very discretion winch
the Constitution imposes upon it, aud which
each individual member is sworn 10 exercise
1t is the caucus which is the SLAUGHTER.
House;' = and we rejoice that the day seems
dawning when the joint Assembly will cease tc
be the journeyman butcher for the boss of the
CAUCUS.
1t is clearly the constitutional duty of the Joint
Assembly to appoint or elect To elect rightly
it must do it upon its own discretion. In the en-.
ercise Of this discretion, It is manifest that i,
ought 10 elect men well fitted Tor the places To
be flled-good men. This is paramount. Be.
yond that lies the question of party preferences
and the custom of all parties, and all states save
our own, warrants the majority in preterrlng mer
OF their own faith, all other things being equal
Hitherto Vermont has been more liberal thar
any other state in The Union for which, by the
way, the wings Of Vermont have been repaid
with abuse by their opponents. We hope ant
believe that lIberalily wIl ever prevail among
the wings of Vermont but never at the expense
of any provision of the constitution, or Of justice
10 themselves. The developments of lSl have
proved a depth Of political corruption hitherto un-
heard of, aud right well has it been doubted
whether the lns,igntors Of it are entitled to the
courtesy and libcraluy which every pure minded
and generous Wing would delight to show 10 us
pure ard generous an opponent. There are men
in the opposite ranks, whom the wings have
been proud to hodor, on every occasi IN when
political principles did not interfere. We hope
ever to find such men to honor and such wings
to honor them. But let not the men who have
neither character, nor principles, nor liberality,
nor even the common decency and consistency OF
profesSed politicians, lay the fatterng JUNCTION to
their guilty souls, that they deserve, or are likely
to receive, any such honor. After repentance,
mercy is all they ought to think Of praying for.
We hear n rumor that opposition is threaten
ed to bills before the Legislature unless the Off
ces are satisfactorily distributed! but such Grim
inality must be limited to that branch OF Iegisla-
ton not known 10 the constitullon-f indeed it
is seriously suggested at all. Ifsnch case can
be found, we suggest rigid enforcement Of the
Constitution, part 2 sec. 81, as the proper cure.
GFSln addition to the usual freight, Tues
days tain on The Central railroad numbered los
IF att liz H.. ,f
tered, but could not be taken for want of cars
G}|This weeks Waterman & Journal will