Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-10-21


State to the said stevens. These rcso-
buttons do not appear to have been pre-
sented TO the Governor for his approval,
and it is respectfully submitted that they
were legally imperative and void, mas
much as they assume the office ana au-
thorty of law, by prescribing rules oil
action for the government OF those to
whom they relate. and also undertake to
draw money from the Treasury without
an act of legislation. OF like character,
as conceive. is a joint resolution of the
last session. relative to the compensation
of persons employed by the Sergeant-at-
Arms. and another relating to the figure
ON the dome of the State-House, both of
which provide for drawing money from the
Treasury without authority of law. do
not object to these resolutions that they
propose improper measures for legislation.
II the provisions they contain had been
passed in the form of enactments, it is very
likely they would have met the ready APP
proyal of the Executive. But if, as JOINT
resolutions, they are to be considered as
prccedcnts for the government OF future
General Assemblies, it is difficult to con-
ccivc Of any act Of legislation which may
not be performed by the two Houses alone,
without the concurrence of the Governor.
THE PARDoNING POWER
\ constitutional question has arisen in
relation to the pardoning power of the EX-
ccutiyc, to which ! deem it proper to call
your attention in order to avoid any mis-
apprehension ON the subject 1t has been
claimed that the exception in the Const-
tuition of eases Of murder and treason from
the pardoniug power Of the Governor is
not absolute, hut only dcpri'es him of the
power until the end of the next session of
the Assembly after the passing of the SEN
tcncc. This construction would seem to be
favored 10y an act of the legislature of 1870,
and another in 1886. | have been unable
so TO understand the Constitution. ! can
conceive of no reason why the pardonng
power of the Executive in these cases
should be absolutely prohibited for the few
months or weeks that might intervene be-
fore the next session of the legislature, and
be left in full force forever afterwards.
If the legislature, having had an oppor-
tunity to act upon case, should decline
to interfere. there would, indeed, seem to
be an additional reason why the Governor
should not The object of the trainers Of
the Constitution appears to me to have been
/ to place these two crimes beyond the par
doning power of the Governor, comforting
on him a limited authority to repricve, in
order to enable him, if he saw fit, to give
to party convicted, am opportunity of app
plying to the legislature for relief If the
l.. a. d
printed in the first Constitution Of the
State, by separating the words "but not to
pardon by commas from the other part,
of the sentence, (scc SHADES State Paper,
p 250,) | think such would be the natural
, construction of the language.
SLAVERY.
The position of Vermont on the suhjcc
Of slavery, which has for several years pas
? so much agitatcd the public mind, remain
unchanged. While yielding due obedi
7 cnce to the provisions Of the constitution
= of the general government, Vernon
docs not claim a right to interfere will
! slavery in the States where it exists b,
= law She protests in strong and cmphau,
. terms against its extension into the terrific
- Ics :" tilo 'H'on' WHY" enS l'9''u' 'i'''
be forever consecrated to freedom An'
, though She does not deny her obligation b.,
a comnact 10 surrender fupitiycs from ser
h vice. when duly shown TO be such. She re
p nudiatcs all prcfop,ions of riubt in m,
T. Stakeholder t6 brino his slave into thi
k state and hold him here in bondage am,
u will never under anv circumstances normi
, her soil cor a sinpio moment ia he finn
contaminated Inv tho curse of slavery.
am .or.y ~ feel undor fine necessity d
q soyin~ thata new and most demoraIilm,
- moniicstaiion Of the rroorossiye au,
r., ~ IT,. ne. l,,,, nod
4 ,Irrin,, tbc ,o.t Won, Not only is tLe NJ
s Iotion If moster and sloy, Advocated a
u the South as the best and most desirable
u condition of society but the African slaV
d, - Ill ~ . - L..h a,
" uduc' WHICH lew Ycdlo "SO "otl III
l. South and North united in dcnOunCing a
d. .t -
y lOhhtiN ana piracy. Is HOW Openly pll