The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1854-12-27
Tho Council of Censors.

Tho Council of Censors.
The election of council of censors.
to DC made next March, is justly re-
cciying good deal of attention from
the public press of the State. Im>
portant reforms are clearly demanded
in our constitution and though, as We
have long maintained, tic people have
full constitutional power, at any time,
TO call convention for that purpose,
without regard to the council of cen
sors to be chosen every seven years,
yet, as the time for such election is
close at hand, we think it now cxpcdi
cnt to cndravor to accomplish these
reforms Though their instrumcntality.
This can only be done by electing a
ticket expressly committed to certain
specific reforms. Nominations for til,
purpose should not be made with refers
ence to the old political organizations,
but solely with reference to tie pro
posed amendments.
We have already, in years past,very
freely expressed our opinion as to
some Of the amendments now proposed
We are opposed to hasty action in so
grave matter. We attach dccrcc
of sacrcdncss to this basis Of our gov
eminent far beyond that Of mere leg
islation, and would discourage a dis
position to make frequent changes
therein. 1t is however true that the Yer.
mont OF to,day is entirely different from
that for which our constitution was or
iginally framed. Nearly or quite all
the other older states have long since
thoroughly revised their constitutions,
as a change Of circumstances AMI ex-
pciience in self-governmont have de-
minded.
The few alterations that laye>becn
made in our cohsiitution.g give it patch
work appearance as published with the
Compiled Statutes, and leave its sew.
eral parts not always consistent with
each other TO remedy these defects
a new draft is absolutely necessary,
. A later day for the election of STATE
+ officers, and also for the meeting of tn,
E Legislature, seems to be demanded
s for convenience. Many are dispose,
r to favor biennial or even tricnnial scs
sions of the Legislature in which cas-
i longer term for certain officers vii
e also become necessary. There are i'm
T. e. portant omissions in the present con
g stitution, AMI antiquities, which ougl
r to be remedlcd. The basis of repre-
II sentation is emincntly unjust, and il
a. furious to wholesome legislation. I'll
council of cenSors is a body to be foun
y in no other State. Pennsylvania
-, -, from whence this feature is derive,
u, took measures at an early day to
Al, rid of this expensive incumbranc
n. 1t is high time that We do the sam
III These are the principal points tn
r seem to US to require immediate actio
te A constitutional convention, VIII,
x called, should be comparatively SIN;
nv in number. To this end, and that Il
ma people may be fairly represented, WI
be should not delegates to the converts
be elected on the same popular ba'
though perhaps to twice or thr
he times the nnmber-as our Senate
- The council Of eonsors has an undou'
use ed right to prescribe the manner
'rs constituting the convention, and t
~, Senate is more proper precedent
to model for this purpose, than the IIoui
ol' We are glad to notice disposition
81. N secure the election of council ii
on. will not shrink from its whole duty.
'' Some remarks from the Free Pre-
ate on these matters, will be fou
nd in another column. We design to
Ills cur to the subject again.