Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-04-17

Mr.. EDITOR Il have seen it stated in some
paper that you were in favor of the proposed
amendments to the Constitution. From what
/ have seen in your paper, judge to the con-
trary, certainly, unless the statement be quail
fed had supposed you favored some Of the
amendments, opposed others, and was decidedly
opposed to the proposed method of electing del
egates. ..s...s.
Be this as it may, it is to be presumed that
the liberality which characteristics your Journal
will admit this communication, although it may
possibly differ from your own views. l have
not the proposed amendments before me. and
have only once read them over, and that hastily.
Some of them struck me very favorably. The
election of Secretary of State, Auditor of Ac
counts, and Bank Commissioner, by direct
vote OF the people, seems to be just as proper as
an election of Governor, Lieut.. Governor, and
Treasurer. and arguments against the former
might perhaps with equal force be urged against
the latter The prQpricty of clecting Judges of
the Supreme and Circuit Courts in the same
manner might. with more propriety, be ques-
toned. If the dignity of the Court is to be
lowered by making the candidates for the bench
stump orators, which. it is to be feared, might
sooner or later be the case under the proposed
change, it would be far better to let the election
be made in the manner now provided by law.
! The plurality system / am inclined to favor
CT h., :. -
| would save great expense to the State But in
crrtailing the Representation and providing for
Biennial sessions for economys sake, if such
was the object of the Council, it strikes Inc they
G have begun at the wrong end. IF they want
short sessions and less expense, better leave the
r professional orators that generally go up to the
capital from the large towns, at homo, and let
, the thinking, Industrious, working men, who
e generally represent the smaller towns, do the
t business. do not mean to condemn free dis
e cusson; but there is II kind Of discussion which
:, instead OF being free, is very expensive to the
It State and is frequently imposed upon the Leg.
1t slature when the honest farmers and mechanics
Ne who compose the great body of the House OIL
e Representatives are very anxious to get q
h chance to do the voting. And if the Represen
y tatlon is to be changed as proposed by the Coun
N ell, it is fair to presume that much large
10 proportion of these professional takers will
y find their way to the capital A poor exchange
indeed for the welfare Of the State.
% The writer of this has had the honor of
10 seat in the House of Representatives numbe
10 OF sessions, and can bear testimony to tho fac
,e that more than nine tcnhs of all the special ant
"a corrupt propositions for legislation emanate from
n the large towns and villages, and when they lac
he Tor strength to carry through their selfs
>, schemes, they form combination with other
- seeking the same or the like corrupt enactment
90 and are thwarted if at all, through the vote
m OF the smaller or less populous towns, who hav
n no selfish or unholy schemes to work for, an
vote in accordance with justice and the best in
terests of the whole State. Without such
conservative representation to fall back Upon
. the State would be in danger OF being shir
,a wrecked by the selfish monopoizing schemes c
bad men and souless corporations
But it was not my purpose in this commun
We cation to discuss the proposed amendments.
u will be time enough to do that when anothe
matter is disposed of, and set right. mean til
proposed disilanchisement of the small towns
electlng delegates to pass upon these ament
er ments If those towns are hereafter to be d.
~ prlved the privileges that they have enjoyed fro
x the organization of our State Government, tt
nh question comes up-Shall they be executed
he once, without the benefit of clergy1 Are the
tie to be deprived the privilege allotted to the mo
depraved criminal, of being heard in their ow
defence! Did the Council so far distrust tt
, justice Of their own recommendations as to dee
it proper to pack a jury to determine the matte
rather than submit the question in the usu,
ia form
nd Ii they have power to reduce the number
~ less than one from each town, they might brin
er it down to one from each county, or a less nun
Der as they might judge would be most likely
on ratify their recommendations. What have tt
'e towns, by their delegates, heretofore done thu
~ they should be looked upon with an eye of ijea
ne ousy by the Council of Censors, and disfral
N. chised without hearing Have they manifesto
as disposition not only to hold on to, but gras
To at, all the power within their reach So niue
re the reverse, that they have given the election
ny County officers to the Counties, instead of mi
III king them themselves. In place of Council
ne 1tcelue, with limited powers, they have provide
IA; for the election of Senate composed of Mirt
re- members, chosen by the Counties in proportio
aS to population, possessing po,cers equal with ii
to House of Representatives, whereby the rcpr
his sentation of to,cns and population may opera
an as check upon each other and produce thi
~ harmony and good feeling SO essential to tt
he prosperity and welfare of every Commonwealth
IS The towns, when fully represented in pal
nj, Conventions. have never taken narrow, COZ
nc tracted view of matters pertaining to the be,
of interests of the whole State. Then, ask agaiI
BIT, why are they distrusted by the Council! The
m may answer this question to their own satisfa,
vn ton bat no answer can be given satisfactory
an the people, and no other Convention than on
ra- composed of delegates from each town, accorc
I'M ing to the established usages of the State, wi
u, 10 ever be recognized by them. And when sue
ar an one is called, the several propositions will
ey fully discussed and considered and those Judge
to be conducive to the best interests of the Con
w. monwealth adopted, and others of an opposit
RS tendency rejected.
nd Waitsfeld April IA, 1856.
IN -----------
re From Washington.
on In the Senate, on Wednesday the 9th, M,
1r, Ca,ard poda 1ancsh,, o,>.osl.t 4, ~