Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-08-28
Written for The Green Mountain Free man.

Written for the Green Mountain Free man.
Conssi sugioaal Amend mans.
MR. EplToR:-I have noticed in your paper,
recently several articles in relation TO the &C
lion of the late Council of Censors, in all of
which the writer seem greatly alarmed in view
OF some imaginary event, 10 happen some lme
IN the future. They sirenuously contend that
the Council exceeded their constitutional pow
err, In S. ne 81 tn il proceedings, and more
particularly III he manner of calling conyen-
'l' to act upon the proposed amendments The
power Of callng such convention, aud regula-
ing 'he chdice Of its members is vested in the
Coanc OF CensoIs- and no lUhere else--as will
be seen-by-relerrilg 10 section 40, chapter ?, of
our State Constitution, where is TO be found the
following language :. The said Council. Of
Congress shall also have power to Gala conyen-
ton, TO meet within two years after their sitting,
IJ there appears 10 them an absolute necessity 81
amending ANY article Of this Constitution, ioh'ch
may be detective" If they have no power 10
propose alterations in any part of our Consll-
tuition, hatepower applies 10 the article regu-
lating the apporonnent of representatives
just as much as to any other therefore. the ar
gument, which your CORE pondens advance,
that the present manner of our representation is
unalierably fixed becomes Of no effect whatever
If there is 10 way to amend that article, then
there is no power 10 alter any part of the con
sttuiion.
/ THE Gpanei may propose amendments, bu
have hey fsaar . anePd' .ED. FHrrMAsl
There is, in my humble opinion, but one rem
edy for those who fee themselves 50 deeply az
erieved by this proposed alteration, and that is
for them to select delegates, in the way pre-
scribed (when the time comes) who are apposec
10 any such amendment, aud throw it over
\ board when the convention cunes to2ethc"
| ANY other attempt would be c arly unconsiu
tlonal--cerlainly would it be so, 10 select del
egate from each town, as some propose to do
| Others propose 10 have The Legislature p SIS al
/ law doing away with the action of the Couuci
in that respect and call convention III the man
ner thai proceeding ones have been called Fo
them TO do SO uoul be an assumption Of powe
altogether unwarannlab on their part. Tn
only body that has any power 10 call a convcn
ton, has perlurmed its duty and gone out of ex
istencc and the General Assembly have NJ
rirht 10 overthrow the doines Of the council,
The Constitution provides that our represen
,allon shall be las equally as NAV be y and i
what better way can this he done than upon the
basis of pophlatiou, as proposed, Instead OF Ter
ritory, as it is at pres Mt Let US look for mt
meut a, the facts What equality is there in al
having 4lij inhabitants in Grand ls'e County t
elect fire repr sona'ives While 1854 in ""te'
burv. Montpelier and Mortified, can choose BIT
,nree NVhat Justice is there IN perml''in
G astenbury, Scarsburgh, 81 George, Yves
more Brook Inc, Sral,on and Baltimore, with
iont population OF l22T accord n2 TO the eel
sus of 1886. to have Seren votes in the Legls /;
tor, while Newbuy, " ilh population of $685.
or mere Than twice as many as a. o. them 1t
gether. can have but one! Is il right tn;
Landgroye, with less thaa oac-eight the populi
ton of St Juhnsbury, shou have an equ
voice is our legislation Once more, aud vi
leave this branch Of the subject Essex Count
with a population OF 1850, according TO OF
pesent system is entitled tn hrelce representa-
tives, VII Warrington, " ith 1886, or neal
twice as maay, is entitled to but one WI
right, jus,ic', or Fqual ly is there in all this
ask aud | hope souio Of your correspondent
viii answer.
Intended to, say a word or two respect Il
the appoliionment Of representatives in olh'
States, but tine and space will not pefml
Should you see 1T 10 publish Ibis, will do
in NV nox, CIR.
August Is, 1856