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


Hinsdill of Bennington. Clark of Windham,
Boaman Of Rutland. Dodge Of Windsor, Steo-
bins Of Orange, Jones of Addison. Crane of
Chittonden, Riddle of Lamoille, Hazen Of
Grand Isle, Edwards of Orleans, Wing Of
Washington. Cree Of Caledonia, Hubbard of
Essex
Mr.. Mason Of Chittcndon CO., called up the
credentials of Roger G. Buckley, as delegate
for the town Of Moretown.
Mr. Clarke of Chittenden Co., introduced
a resolution declaring that the credentials are
not such as to entitle Mr.. Buckley to a seat
in this Convention.
Mr. George of Washington Co.. moved to
lay the resolution upon the table, which was
agreed TO-
Mr.. Mason of Chittcnden Co., introduced
resolution, that Roger g. Buckley, dele
gate elect from the town of Moretown be adj
mittod TO a scat in this Convention.
On motion Of Mr.. Field Of Windham Co.,
Mr.. Buckley was permitted to address the
Convention on this resolution
Mr.. Hcbard OF Orange Co., said that on
the face of the credentials, it does not appear
shat Mr.. Buckley is elected as a member Of
his Convention. 1t may be that he is the
only legal member Of a Constitutional Com
rentioa according to uniform usage, and he
this Convention is another thing-it may be
it is a nullity,-and in that case, if Mr.. Buck
ley is legal delegate at all, it is not to This
Convention. but he is himself he legal Con-
stitutional Convention. and this body cannot
properly interfere with him. On the other
hand, if this Convention is constitutional.
then Mr.. Buckley is not entitled to a seat
here. Mr.. Hebard moved to lay the rosolu-
ton upon the table.
Mr.. Nicholson of Rutland Co., observed
that the application of Mr.. Buckley was
recognition of this Convention as a legal
body and if it is legal body then certain
ly it follows that Mr. Buckley is not entitled
to a scat here, and his application is itself
denial of his own right.
Mr.. Field of Windham Co., said, it may
turn out that Mr. Buckley is hc real Con-
vention, and that this body may, by and by, be
knocking at his door for admission. But it
is not Mr.. Buckley who is asking TO be heard
here, but the municipality of Moretown. This
convention may be obliged to strike; then
strike, but hear"
Mr.. Needham of Addison Co., was sur
priced that any objection should be made to
hear Mr. Buckley at once. To postpone
might make case like that of certain CON
victed criminal exceptions were allowed, but
the poor fellow was sentenced to be hung be-
fore the exceptions could be tried.
Mr.. Jocolyn of Windsor co. would hear now.
as the convention has at present no other
business
The motion to lay the resolution on the la
bic was negatved, and the question REQUIRED
on the resolution of Mr.. Mason to admit Mr..
Buckley.
Mr.. Buckley said that the town of More
town supposed that there is a convention
If there IS one, Moretown has interest in
it, and right to be represented in it by virtue
of the organic law of the State, interpreted by
immemorial usage.
As to the mode Of election: The Council
has power to propose amendments-to call a
convontion---to fix the time of meeting, and
the time Of election; but it has no power to
change or fix the manner of election. The
people of the towns had the sole right to elect,
aud the council could not deprive them of it.
In this view Of the case, the delegate of
Morotown is consttutionally elected. and
whenever a body purporting to be Consti-
tutional Convention is assembled, Moretown
had right to appear and he knew of no pow
er to shut her out 10 the suggestion that If
he on. b. had a right to a seat here, all the
other members have no constitutional right
he replied, that whenever any body is togeth-
er assuming to act upon the constituhon--to
alter it--there the town of Moretown has a
right to appear, and to act, or at the least,
TO protest, in defence of the constitutional
rights of the people. 1t may be that this
body is anomalous, and unconstitutional
That is not the fault of Morotown, and should
not exclude Moretown. If it did the fact of
exclusion may be proof that the convention is
unconstitutional.
Mr.. Adams of Chittenden Co., said that il
Mr.. Buckley is admitted ON his ground, the
other members are not constitutpnally elected
and there is no Constitutional Convention
no quorum.
Mr.. Rockwell of Rutland Co., renewed the
motion TO lay the resolution on the table.
Mr.. Crane Of Chittenden Co., opposed this
motion, and was in favor of admitting Mr.
Buckley as a recognition Of the constitution
al right of the town.
Mr.. Hazen of Grand Isle Co., said that il
Mr.. Buckley is admitted, every town may
appear here, and thus constitute an anoma-
lous convention, not constituted by towns
out by towns and counties The first ques.
ton to determine is, whether this convention
is constitutional; as upon that question de.
ponds the right Of Morotown.
Mr. Forrin of Lamoille Co., moved to post.
pone the resolution indefinitely
Mr. Wing of Washington Co., proposed
that the resolution should be laid on the Ia
bic to await action upon the rights and pow.
or of this convention.
Mr. A. T, Smith Of Addison co.. said thi,
is an anomalous body, got up under scheme
concocted in barns and other dark corners
Delegates had come here, indeed, under such
extraordinary auspices but he thought they
had all come here TO rebuke the tyrranica
and despotic power which had sent them here
Now it is possible that the gentleman o
Morotown is the chosen man to give a savol
Of constitutionality to this body, il he is adj
mittod; and he was inclined to admit him /
he could.
Mr.. Kithedge Of Caledonia Co., said thi,
is a Constitutional Convention or it is not
If it is, Mr.. Buckley has no right horo; if i
is not, the resolution admitting him would
itself be a nullity.
Mr.. Chapman of Windsor Co., suggested
that the motion of Mr., Ferrin was not recog
nized by the rules and thoreupon the mo-
ton was withdrawn.
The question REQUIRED on the motion o
Mr.. Rockwell TO lay upon the table.
Mr.. Jones Of Addison Co., suggested tina
IL the Niq.yg Of enn,a