Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-11-01


policy and courtesy probably, has moi been pub
lishcd with the constitution since the State was
admitted into the Union.
"1hird.-The contemporaneous and uniform
construction given to this part uf the constitu
tim during the whole period OF its existence,
a history ofncarly eighty years, has been araist
any such power in the Council Of Censofs and
the repeated decisions Of our highest legal irib-
unals, as well as the dictates Of sound states
manship, require that a eonsiru 'ton so given
should be held to be conclusive
Mr.. Stacy Supported the amendment offered
/ by Mr.. Powers. lie claimed that the first par
agraph declaring tina, the preamble Of the Con.
sti,uion expressly provided that the Consiilu.
tiun should never be altered except by conven-
ton, composed Of delegates from the towns
was not true in fact lie cited the preamble
Of the Constitution in proof Of this assertion
lie also objected to The third paragraph, saying
ii was not true, and cited In proof the action
Of a former Council Of Censors.
Mr.. Crosby trusted that the House would
not support the amendments proposed by Mr.
Powers. lie considered the paragraph true
and in harmony with the meaning.
Mr.. Merrill proposed an amendment, TO the
frs, paragraph in the resolutions protesting
against the action Of the Council Of Ceasurs, as
follows:
First, The Preamble of the Constitution cx.
pressly provided and declared "ihe following
declaration Of rights, aud fame of government
10 be the Constitution Of this Commonwealth.
and to remain in force therein forever, unalier-
ed, except in such articles as shall hereafter,
on experience, DO fund to require improve
meni, and which shall. by The same authority
of the people, fairly delegated, IS this frame
Of government directs, be amended or improy-
ed"
The convention which adopted this Pream.
bic was composed OF delegates from the towns
mos, Of the towns sending one delegate each,
and some towns more thao one and the Con.
siiiutou 50 adopted, directed no other deega.
ton Of the authority of The people, except 4
representation of The towns, but provided that
for the then next seven Yeas each town con
tanning eighty taxable inhabitants should be en-
titled TO two representatives, and each other
town 10 one, and that after. the expiration oil
said seven years, each town should be entitled
to one representative forever thereafter. And
} this House do not find that said Preamble has
ever been altered or repealed, although said
Preamble, from considerations Of policy aud
courtesy probably, has not been published with
the Constitution since the State was admitted
into the Union.
And the amendment was agreed to.
Mr. Stewart moved that The FIRST part Of the
third paragraph Of the first resolution be amen
ded by striking out 'eoniemporaneors and uni
FORM and insert practical; amendment
agreed to.
The question coming up on the adoption OF
the resolutions, the ayes and nays were as fol-
lows, ayes, Ia nays, 30.
Saturday. Oct e5.
In the SENATE the bill Incorporating the
Vermont State Agricultural Society, was OBJ
jecied 10 by Mr. Underwood. and on motion Of
Mr.. Pierpoint, i, was made the special order
Of the day for Tuesday, al 10 o'block A. NJ.
The time for the introduction of new bill.
was limited to next Friday.
In the House a resolution fixing upon Fri.
day mex, as the day II Adjournment, was ia.
bled
Resolutions approving the course Of our Sen
a,ers and Representatives in Congress, on the
= Slavery question, and touching the outrage
committed by Preston 5. Brooks npon Charlie.
= Sumner, were adop'od--,he first by ayes, 100
nays l6; the second by ayes, l52; nays, I.
Monday, Oct. p.
Neither in the SENATE nor IIousE was any
) business Of general importance perfected.