Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-10-28

effect until b Governor submit the
same to b Judges of the Supreme
Court, with the inquiry, Are the pro-
visions of this &C t constitutional ? and
until the Governor has obtained in writ.
ibg the opinion of said Judges thereon
and if said Judges decide that the pro-
visions Of the act, or certain parts there
Of, are unconstitutional, then the same, or
such parts thereof as said Judges shall
decide are unconstitutional, shall be null
and void, and the residue shall remain in
full force and virtue."
In pursuance of this provision sub
mitted the act TO the judges of the Su-
preme Court with the inquiry specified.
The Judges of h Supreme Court
replied to the inquiry, giving full and
unanimous opinion in writing, deciding
the act SO far as it relates to the right of
the soldiers to vote for members Of
Congress and Electors of President and
Vice President of the United State, to
be constitutional, but that so much of said
act as confers the right to vote for Cows
ernor, Lieutenant Governor and Trea-
surer of this State, was unconstitutional.
SO much of said act therefore as relates
to the right of soldiers to vote for mem
bers of Congress and Electors Of Presi-
dent and Vice President of the United
States was declared to be full force
and virtue.
/ Therefore caused to be pre- pared suit
able and proper blanks and forms for
making the necessary returns to the pro-
per officers, and forwarded to the several
organizations in the field from this state
in season for the soldiers to vote for mem
bers of congress at the regular election
tor those officers.
There are some amendments to the
law which should receive your immediate
attention.
The law now provides that at the cleo
ton for electors, TO be held on the first
Tuesday of November, each clector au.
thorzed to vote by this act shall have the
right TO vote for electors. The election
Tor electors is by law to be neld on the
Tuesday next after the first Monday of
instead of the first Tuesday. !
This error should be corrected to conform
o the proper day. Section eleventh OF
he act provides that " the secretary OF
tate shall return said votes to the Cen
raj Assembly, TO be canvassed the same
8 provided 10 reference TO votes for the
anne officers cast in this state" BY the
AVIS of this state the county clerks
shall meet at the State House, in Monte
elier, on the third Tuesday OF said No
ember, and there publicly canvass said
otes." The law should be so amended Z
, to provide that the secretary Of state
hall return the votes for electors to the
board of Canvassers when assembled.
Provision should also be made for
ualiiying the electors. According to
he present provisions of the act, only
Qualified electors are permitted to vote.
AS there are now in the military SER
ice Of the United States from this State,
Who have, since entering the service, ar
lived at legal age, they should be entitled
o the privileges of the act, and provis.
on should be made, giving authority to
pecial constabes to administer the nee
,ssary oaths.
Provision should also be made giving
% volunteer officers having commissions
rom the United States authorities, who
are citizens of this State, the right to vote
at the polls of any company from this
State in the brigade, division or corps to
which they may be attached.
| would therefore recommend that the
act be amended in these respects at an
early day, that proper instructions and
blanks may be forwarded to the field in
season for the approaching election.
l transmit the opinion of the Judges of
the Supreme Court upon the question Of
the constitutionality of the law.
LAND SCRIP.
The agent appointed under the act pro,
viding for the sale of the land scrip ap-
proved November IL, 1868, has effected
a sale of the same. The proceeds of said
sale amount TO the sum of one hundred
and twenty-six thousand two hundred and
Forty-one dollars and forty cents, which
has been duly invested in the bonds of
this State at par.
10 October last the Hon. Homer Z.
Royce, one of the agents appointed under
he act, resigned the trust. appointed
Henry w. Hickok, Esqg of Burlington
10 gil the vacancy.
VERMONT STATE UNIVERSITY AND
ASSOCIATE COLLEGES.