Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-10-28


The sec.nd propos ton was referred to the
Special COMMITTEES raised on the resolution OF
Mr.. Hard at las. Session, providing for altering
the Constitution 50 as TO enlarge the term OF Of
fee of Senators and Representatives, with less
frequent Sessions OF the Legislature, and small
Ter number of Representatives.
MIR Reynolds moved 10 reconsider the vote
LAYING Mr.. Rand's resolution on the table this
morning agreed to. Mr.. Reynolds, MIR
Goodhue, and Mr.. Necdham, spoke against the
passage OF the resolution, giving their views at
length in favor OF calling Constitutional Con
ventlon, and arguing that many amendm emit
could be made to the Constitution, that would
save great expense to the SAFE, &C. Mr. Ed
wards was not prepared to vote. Mr.. Bingham,
Martin and Rand spoke in favor OF the passage
of the resolution
MIR. Edwards, said he was not fully prepared
to vote on Mr.. Rands resolution. He was,
however, opposed to abolishlng the Coencll of
Cebsors, regarding it as unwse, and more ex.
pensve 10 refer the question OF proposing
amendments to the constitution, to the General
Assembly, than to retain that power where 1t Is
nov conhded.
Messrs. Blngha Martin, and Rand favored
the resolution.
Mr. Martin moved to amend MI Rand's res
olutlon, by striking out the word" Resolved y
and inserting " that in the opinion of the
Council OF Cerscrs no such " absolute necessl'
" us is contemplated By the Constitution Of
this State exists as to require or justify the call.
ing OF a Constitutional Convention 10 alter or
amend the same.
On mulicn Of Mr. DOrr, adjourned.
Thursday Oct. %.
Prayer by Rev W. II, Lord.
Journal OF yesterday read and approved.
Mr.. Rand's resolution, under discussion at
the adjournment yesterday was taken up, to-
gether with the amendment of Mr.. Martin.
On motion Of MIR. Dorr, they were dered to
lie.
Mr. Dorr, moyed that Committee OF three
be appointed to prepare and report an address to
the PEOPLE Of the State agreed to.
MIR Goodhue, made report for the Commit
tee raised on Mr.. Cahoon's resolution OF last
session, to abolish the Council Of Censors. The
Committee recommend that the Council be
ABOLISHED, aud that amend nents to the constitn-
ton be hereafter proposed and made, b iilsl
proposing them in the Senate or House OF Rep
Iesentatyes, to be read in each body three rev.
al times on three several days, and II passed
by both Houses, then to be referred TO the next
legislature, and be printed in the pamphlet law
AT the subsequent session these proposals are
to b. acted upon by the two H)usas in the same
wa as ut first, and ii again passed they are to
be referred to the lreemen oil the State, and il
o majority Of the lrcemen vote for them, they
are 20 become portion Of the constitution.
MI Bingham made statement respecting
tho resolution OF last Session, calling on the
State Treasurer for statement If balances due
the State, by any officers who are uqnired tC
account 20 the Treasurer for State funds. liz
said the Treasurer had suggested that the inior
nation could be better obtained from some other
State officer.
Mr.. Needhaln, in his seat, moved an adjourn
ment; lost.
Mr.. Hard moved TO take up the resolution o
Mr.. Rand, together With the amendment OF Mr.
Martin laid on the table this morning. agreed 20
Mr.. G1odtue oppo'ed the amendment sl
thought that the people desired and expected
some amendments to the Constitution. lie al
luded TO the action Of the Convention, nomina
ting the Council, recommending amendment
ana said that the papers in the State, general,
ufEBu uiECu thS oh'ohb"G
anu the economy oil biennial Session and hoIet
neither the resolution nor amendment Won {
Mr.. Reynolds regarded the amendment an'
resolution us substantially like. But h
thought that the people were expecting that tn
Council would propose amendments lie hope
a vote, however, would be taken on the resolu
tious as it would ba unwlse to stay here sn'
debate propositions OF amendment to the COnstl
tuition, il y majority Of the Council were in fa
yor of the resolution or the amendment.
MIR. Martin said he preferred the amendmen
to the original resolution, inasmuch as 1t con
formed to the phraseology OF tue Constitution
lie believed that the men who framed an
adopted the Constitution knew the force OF III
lauhuag they used, aud when they used the OK
precision " absolute necessity" they meant
commanding, imperous need of amendment
lie said that while members of the COunci
doubted even the expedency Of the propose
amendments, and were not agreed upon thel
wisdom, how could 1t be said that the amend
mens we're absolutely necessary. lie wisbo
that the vote. when taken, might equarely NEE
the question of " absolute necessity" and
rescn that end, he hoped the amendment woul
prevail.
Mr.. Reynolds, desired TO mort the precis
issue, Tor he believed in the absolute necei
shy OF now amending the constitution.
MIR. Martin, in answer To un inquiry OF MI
Re,nolds, said he should regard The passage I
the resolution as putting an end to any iurthe
action OF the Council on any proposition {
amendment 10 the Constitution.
MIR, DOrr said that he did not understand tina
the Councll would have nothing more TO do,
the resolution prevailed lie explained hls i'd
of tbs expression, "absolute necessity" ii
though h, the expression the strongest one poss
Bile, ana by interpreting the words IN their oI
Oinary use, no case has occurred. or can occu
bringing an amendment WITHIN that Z" absolul
necessity For these reasons he was OF tn
opinion that the trainers of the Consultation dl
no, mean by the expression, " absolute necess
ty," II Necessity that Was absolute, an imper
i've want, without which the State could n,