Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-10-24

mon .s most noted for wisdom and virtue
- Rut if a biennial session of the Legis-
,a.,,re Is sufficient for the wants of the
people, it would seem to be equally evl-
dont that a less number of representa-
t;ves would be sufficient for us for all pur-
noses of legislation. The true principle
of representation undoubtedly is that the
LEGISLATURE should be numerous enough
n include in the assembly wisdom and
oxner;enee sufficient to know the wants
and interests Of the people, and to enact
in accordance with the peoples Will just
and wholesome laws. Every interest
and section in the state should be equal
". fully, and fairly represented, and no
undue preference given to any section,
class, or party.
We have at present two hundred and
forty one towns in the state, and accord
ing to our present system each town,
without any reference to its size, wealth,
or population, is entitled to one represent
atiye. BY this arrangement not only is
the number of members unnecessarily
and inconveniently large for all purposes
of legislation, by this unequal mode of
representation great wrong and injustice
is done to large portion of our citizens
and large sections of the state.
Let us look at few instances of the
operation of our present system. In the
county of Chittenden are two towns lying
adjacent to each other, Burlington and
St. George. Burlington has "a popula-
ton of 1888, and a grand list of $23,337, )
!, 80, St. George population of 127 and
a grand list of $319,12. In another sec
ton of the state the old and honored
town of Bennington has population OF
1928 and grand list of ST. ,505, 45, and
, in the same county is Glastonbury with q
! population of 81 and grand list Of
r $189,21. In our own county Derby has
population of 1850, grand list o.
: So, 450,19, and Westmore population o
/ 1872 and a grand list of $469,39. Essex
y county has a population of ALSO ant
f sends II representatives. Windsor coun
e ty with population of $500 sends 2
d representatives. BY the operation 0
/ this system a voter in Glastonbury is equa
n to seventy-fve in Bennington; one MAJ
F; in St. George is equal to fifty nine il
n Burlington, and one man in Westmore i
IS as good as eleven in Derby. Essel
n county, with population of 4,150, send
IS half as many representatives as Windso
IS county with population of $500, ma
l. king voter in Essex equal to fourteen
@ in Windsor county.
q For what purpose is this inequalit,
IL and injustice tolerated? What good re
ct suit is gained by it? Is it democratic t
throw forests, rocks and mountains int
,r the scale, against wealth and population
d Our system of government supposes tn
1T entire and perfect equality of man, c
re citizen with citizen. We adopt equal an
'e universal suffrage. No distinctions mad
rs for wealth; that idea would be secuted
No difference is made for intelligence
S and very little for character. The ma
lg without dollar of property, who neve
er read, and cannot understand the Const
~ tuition of the state, or write the ballt
that he carries to the box, is by the the
or DRY Of our government, on an equal pla
form with the richest millionaire, or ii
re most intelligent and patriotic statesma
e, in the country. Why, then, after di
~ carding all other distinctions, do we a
Mt tach such consequence to the mere ia,
f. of residence, and give to one man tel
he twenty, or even seventy fold the amour
he of political power that is enjoyed by h
al neighbor, equally as good citizen, VII
u happens to live on the other side of
rs, town line
ell ORLEANS.