Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-01-16

huNlufnn vi llif ANhN'iAthhs - AiA' iiA"' iN'
oution is true, this is not a constitutional
convention: he did not so believe, and would
not so declare by voting for the resolution.
1t had been said yesterday that he had mis-
conceived the authority for this convention
that it was from the people not from the
Council but after all it is true that the Coun-
Gil had called this body iuto existence. Fur
thor, admitting the criticism as to his literal
Of the Constitution yesterday
and the differences of opinion as to the mean
ing of the word convention in the Consh-
tution-hc claimed that the word does not
imply, necessarily, body of representatives
from each town. Ills ground was that this
is a constitutional body and he hoped it
would not stultify itself by denying its oXis-
tonco as such. For some purposes, certainly
for instance the per diem and milcage-we
do recognize the fact that this is a constitu-
tional convention. As such, he hoped that
the convention would pass directly on the a.
mcndmcnts. He would reject them, but not
for the reasons of the committee, or Of the
substitute resolution, the preamble to which
he could not agree to, although he was in ia
vor of the resolution
Mr. Nicholson of Rutland County thought
the range of debate rather wider than the ne
cessity of the case reQuired and he would
therefore briefly deny the position Of the gem
tleman from Addison County, that the CON
vcntion was guilty of the absurdity Of cutting
off the only leg upon which it can stand. A
sutton in court may fight from ditch to ditch,
enter pleas of abatement. and all that sort Of
thing, even when he has good dofense-and
all this he has right to do. and he is emit
tied to his costs. So here. the convention
had the right TO take the same coursc--to re-
iect the amendments 10 be sure if they pleas
ed, but also to rcbuko them in the most eticc-
tual manner possible and for this business,
delegates were entitled TO receive their pay.
Uupon that matter. the gentleman from Add
son County need have no delicacy ne has
laborcd long, and earned his pay. 1t was to
condemn the Council mainlv-not to pass up
on the amendmcnts-thatt the people had sent
them here; and he would perform the duty.
decently IL is true, but thoroughly. 1t was
indeed to rebuke the Council for particular
offence that they were elccted--for attempting
to dciraud the towns of their rights, by cheat
ing them out of their representation in this
convention; and he would so rcbuke this Of
Tense as to deter any future Council from at
tempting a similar outrage The report and
resolutions of the committee do this, and do
il we'll He might do it better to his own
mind others might suit themselves better.
But the committee has put ON record substan-
tial historical truths, and doduced Legitimate
ana logical conclusions, and the conclusions
are right
Mr. Bascom said there seemed to be a diff
ference of opinion as to the meaning of the
resolutions, and he asked the chairman wheth-
or the committee intended to deny that this is
a constitutional convention.
Mr. Dillingham; said it was not a question
mootod in the committee whether this is or
is not constitutional convention. but the
question was, what do the people require
The people have responded to the call of the
Council 10y sending the delegates here. because
they could not respond in any other way
What they require the delegates TO d. is the
question The committee regarded it as
settled matter. fixed by usage. even if not bv
the Constitution. that constitutional conven-
ton is to be composed of delegates from eve
ny town that this Convention has been call
ed in derogation of that usage, and in infringe
ment of the rights of the towns; and that
whether strictly constitutional convention
OF not the nam duty expected by the people
was TO declare the wrong done by the Council
' ' w i''N'NiA' i'' A'N va NiAN1s
OF ms own part, he denied the power of the
Council to make the call IN the mode it had
aohe IL had exceeded its powers, and because
IL h9d done So he would repudiate their whole
WORK me Counen had attempted an inno-
yat l'39 upon me rights OF the people, and he
" 9O''iu ieo'No 'no" ana he concluded by
- 49, VI ''iS convention Ps
IN 49,, =" 'nT mag l'inoen' ana spa
'''' -','l. w., '..C ''''''o iIo'Senere ana thero
,ii1,,noe e. "o''l''s SUI win inaginnCen'
the idea and the feeling of common nc;,,blcr
hoou ana common interests Beholding such
a Sight' ne thought that every member would
nave lnNue the vow never 10 permit such
SiBn' "8"lh' For ms part he had made that
vow hefe-eno should he stand alone, or IN
company WIN a majority OF tins body he
would try to carry that vow into practical and
unniStaKaole eiiect'
MI Heoard argued mat the chairman Of
ihe committee mad by ms speech confirmed
the difficulties which ne had before suggested,
ana especially IN reference TO the point wheth-
or TINS Is or Is not constitutional convention.
ne resolutions oil the committee perhaps do
not clearly involve that point and yet they
might DC construed as denying the power of
'he Nnunch 10 eau convention IN the man
ner OIL TINS lie was not wiling to say, by