Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-03-21
nnings Of Council Of Censors.

fiOns, Il will be perceived, are Oh HioS'
sweeping kind; and if adopted, would
give US what might be very properly
called. q new Constitution. Biennial
sessions Of the Legislature; the election
of all State and County officers for two
wears; the election in all cases by plu-
rality instead Of majority rule the
choice Of Secretary Of State, State Treas
urer, State Auditor, Bank Commissioner
and Registers of Probate by the people,
and an entire alteration of the basis OF
representation in both Houses of the Lee
gislature, are recommended, with other
changes Of less importance, The pro-
posed changes are certainly OF very
important character, and will, of course,
attract the serious attention Of the peo-
pie. Some Of them we are inclined to-
view fayorably, and others with less IA
Yor. But until We have given them a
more attentive consideration, we shall
express no decided opinion for or against
any portion Of them. 1t is probable that
some Of OUT readers may be DESTROYS OF
expressing their views in relation to them,
through the columns Of the Standard,
and we hereby tender its columns for that
purpose; and further, would especially
invite communications upon the subject.
The small towns, we apprehend, will
not part with the representation they
have always enjoyed, without a struggle
10 retain it. The Council Of Censors
have frequently recommended a change
in the basis OF representation in the
House of Representatives, depriving such
towns Of q representative each, but this
recommendation has always failed OF
adoption. The Conventions called by
the Council of Censors to pass upon their
proposed alterations Of the Constitution
have hitherto been composed Of one
member from each town-the same rep
resentation that the towns enjoy in the
House Of Representatives, and the town.
have very naturally refused to disfran
chise themselves, and probably eve
would so refuse. Now, to avoid tn,
moral certainty of defeat of the propo
sition to change the basis Of representa-
ton in the House-if il were submitted
to Convention composed Of one mem
Der from each town-the Council of Cen
sors have called q Convention to be com
posed Of only ninety members, and thesC
to be elected by general ticket in eacl
County, as Senators are now elected
Orleans County, tor instance, would hav
but tios members, instead Of nineteen, q
formerly. Now, by what authority di
the Council of Censors make this ap
portionment? Were they competent t
do it? This is a very important ques
ton, and we apprehend that it must b
answered in the negative. The Const
tuition provides that the said Council {
Ccnsors shall have power to call Cor
vention, to meet within two years afte
their sitting" &c; but it does not, in d
rect terms, confer any power to fix tn
basis Of representation in such Conver
ton. May this power be considered il
cident to the general power granted I
call Convention? We think not.
never has been so considered by an
former Council Of Censors; and tn,
body has hitherto been composed of niue
abler men than those who compose it
present; and Of men equally as anxiol
as are the present members, to take fro
the small towns their present Representa-
ton in the House. All precedent, the,
~ against Ills llllONallOl.
The Constitution was formed by Il
toiOnS, each represented in Convention /
one delegate. All the amendments evt
made TO it, were made by the toaens, re
resented in like manner. As the Mon
peher Waterman and Journal truly I
marks, the Convention which original,
Vermont as State, and declared it to
independent, consisted of The t0lcas, re
resented by delegates Of their own ele
ton, or by letter" The very authori
that created the Council of Censors, W
the tor5nS. Now can this body thus or
ated, turn round and disfranehise the a
thority that createdits Shallthe Great
destroy its creator. We are not nc
arguing against the policy of deprivil
the towns Of their equal representatic
IN the House of Representatives; but '
are contending that they cannot be
priVed of this right without their conse
that the Convention to act upon Ii
proposition, must be Convention of Il
towns, and not body arbitrarily cons
tuted by the Council of Censors. tt
towns are competent TO give up the rig
Ct eqrsl representation as tcwrr, If Il,