Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-04-26
ADDRESS OF TIE COUNCIL OF
CENSORS.

To The people Of The STATE Of Vermont:
The Council of Ccnsors elected on the las
Wednesday of March, A. ID. 1855. having
closed their labors. would submit to you thi.
Address, referring briefly to the result of the
deliberations.
The various subjects referred TO the Council
for consideration, and the duties and powers as
signed us, are enumerated in the forty-ihird ar
iicle of the Constitution.
We have made inquiry whether the Lees
la,ive and Executive branches of the govern
ment have performed their duty as guardian
of the people, and believe that both Of sal,
branches Of government in the discharge o
their respective duties, have endeavored TO pre-
serve the rights, and promote the peace an,
happiness of this Commonwealth. The atten
tion Of the Council, however, has been called
10 the fact that the Legislature for seyera
years has neglected to elect State Superin.
tendent Of Common Schools, by reason oil
which neglect an important office for long
period Of time, has been and still remains va
cant. The laws now in force which regulate
our system Of Common Schools, furnish salts.
factory evidence that the people regard the
subject Of vital importance, on which depend
the best Interests and prosperity of the State
The passage of the act, by which the above
named Office was created, and the fact that sew
eral sessions of the Legislature have been held
since its passage, at which its repeal might
have been sought for and obtained, if desired
by the people, required the Legislature to fill
the office agrecably 10 the provisions of a law,
which they were under solemn obligation to
support or repeal. In view of the facts, the
Council feel impelled 10 say that the neglec, OF
the Legislature 10 fill said office, or to repeal
the law by which it was created, was in viola.
tion of the Constitution and Laws Of the State
subversive Of the rights Of the people and il
has furnished precedent in the history Of leg
islative proceedings which no subsequent Leg.
islature should feel at liberiyio follow.
The Council have made inquiry whether the
public taxes have been justly laid and collected
in all parts of this Commonwealth, and on this
subject we find no cause of complaint.
The Council have had under their considera-
ton that part of the article of the Constitution
which requires them to examine whether there
is an absolute necessity of amending. explain
ing or adding to the organic laws of the State,
and they have endeavored 10 give the subject
that attention which its importance demands. -
The Constitution Of Vermont contains all pro-
visions necessary 10 preserve il from the evil
consequences of unnecessary innovation and
the care with which an instrument, so impor-
tant, has been and should continue to be guard
ed, renders it manifest that the people should
be FULLY satisfied that the Constitution is tieiec-
tive to their injury, before they introduce and
adopt new system. But when it is apparent
that substantial defects do exist TO the funda-
mental aud organic laws Of the State, the
dread of innovation sonld not prompt US to re-
tan system which is inconsistent with the
most sacred rights Of the people. The trainers
OF the Constitution of Vermont, at an early
period in the political history of the State, made
provisions for 1.-The preservation OF the rights
and happiness Of the people - with more par
tcular reference TO the state Of the people, and
to the population Of towns at that time, and
they wisely provided for making such amend
ments to the Constitution as might, in the pro-
gress of society, become necessary to secure g.
quail rights, both to-towns and 10 individuals
and il is manifeslly not less our duty than our
interest to accommodate present institutions to
the present rights and wants Of the people.
The Council have had under their considera-
ton several important propositions of amend
ment of the Constitution. which they respect
fully offer for your consideration and decision,
The House Of Representatives should be
made more accurate and immediate represen-
tativc Of the public mind. The present consli.
'utional provision giving each organized town
one representative without regard to population
IS wrong in principle, IN just in its operation
and unnecessarily expensive. The Council ad-
here to the more reasonable doctrine that pop.
ulaiion and representation should be equal, and
eau see no good reasun why equal numbers
should be unoqually represented They be-
lieve, and the justice Of that belief is irresisli-
BILE, that If ten thousand inhabitants in
one section are entitled to ten representatives
the same number of inhabitants in an another
section should not be represented by greater
number. But under the present system one
quarter Of the inhabitants of the State have
nearly the same humble. of representatives as
inc DINER three quarters, thereby giving the
controlling power of Legislation to minority.
ouch palpable injustice in representative ooy-
eminent, though submitted to with patient for.
eearance for long period OF years, is never.
theless injustice still, and should be remedied
and the Council believe that unless the people
prefer to give the minority power over the ma.
Jorl'y' the Constitutional Convention will ADOPT
the proposed amendment 10 make the represen.
'atlon more in accordance with the population
OF me STATE The present number of repre-
sen'allVes IS altogether too large; less num-
Oer would facilitate the business Of Legislation
ana ieglslaie more 10 the satisfaction of the
people IN proportion as their individual respon-
sislliy would be increased
Another advantage would also be secured BY
-.