Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-12-11
From the Rutland Herald.
The Next Council of CensOrs.

our laws as Council of Censors. ~
The duties of this "Council" are acne
ally to see that the laws have been faitl
fully executed the constitution preser'
ed inviolate; taxes justly levied and co
lected, and properly expended, &c, a.
1t has also the power to call State Con
vention for the purpose of altering, c,
planning, or amending the Constitution
Through this agency, twenty-three al
ticles of amendment to our constitution
have been adopted by the different con
ventions which have been called for thi
purpose. In the main we believe GU
constitution satisfies the people whom
governs, and as an organic law, compare
favorably with that of other States o
the Union. We say "in the main" be
cause we are aware that there are yer,
many of our wisest and best men who
have become satisfied that some amend
ments are called for, and who believe
that our next council will be derelict in
the discharge Of its duties if they fail to
make these recommendation to the peo-
pie. As an instance of this conviction
may be mentioned the Joint Resolution
which was adopted at the late session of
the General Assembly in favor of bien-
NAL sessions of the legislature, instead of
annual, as we now have. We believe
the people are convinced that the ma
chlnery OF our State government is too
expensive IN the ratio of our population
and State interests, and that they are
prepared for any reform in this direction
that shall preserve the simplicity and
purity Of our organic law, while it shall
at the same time, lessen the burtbens of
the masses. The late legislature appro-
priated fifty thousand dollars as deben-
lures of the Lieut.. Governor and Gen
eral Assembly. The people do not com
PLAIN that the sum is exhorbitant. bnt
they earnestly ask the question if there
cannot be some way devised by which
this expense may be saved in part and
the interest of the whole State cared for
and preserved as we'll as now. Tn orr
Judgment, the remedy is in the hands oil
the next Council of Censors, and if they
10 not apply it, the people are themselves
responsible for the failure.
Much has been said against the LARGE
and expensive representation by towns in
The House of Representatives, and much |
N favor Of the enlargement of the basis
u representation by establishing a basis
u population, and representation bv
Districts. Our own opinion is that rem
'esentation by towns while it is upeoual
md may be unjust as between the towns
themselves, is nevertheless a security for
ne purity of our Legislatures and for
he consequent purity of legislation
Whether this be so, or not, we are of tbe
pinlon that our people are welded to
ne system Of representation by town
nd that any other needed reform which
houid be coupled with a change in the
resent system of town representation
'ould go down before the ultimate fri
unal OF the people. If we mistake not
ne sentiment of the people, the next
ouncli of censors will recommend:
lst.-Ihe abolition of the council of
ensors, and the vesting of the power of
mendment to the constitution in the
ieneral Assembly, with such restrictions
nd safeguards as so important a trust
i'll demand.
zd.-Blennial Sessions of the Legisla- !
Ire, a1d OF course biennial elections and .
Two years tenure of office where hut
lie is now provided. >
od.-Making it obligatory upon the :
eneral Assembly to pass General Laws D
the organization of private corpora r,
ms OF every character, and prohibit U
g special acts of incorporation of anv
aracter.
lhesequestlons are already understood ii
the people, and we believe they would fe
Get with universal favor. Those who =
Vor a smaller number of representa- IT, IT,
res would find in this proposition prac. in in
ally decrease of one-half the pres. Y Y
representation, and those who believe in
1T we have too much legislation, will sal
eerfully acquiesce ia the decrease Of wa
portunity for legislative mischief which Do Do
'ir amendments would secure. e tol
We think we do not mistake who, uo ing
that three-fourths of the time of the the
neral Assembly is occupied in the pas Of
= Oh private acts of Incorporation wh
Is getting to be a great evil, and this Of
endment applies the true remedy cy 1'
We hope to see our next copno;, &c s sian
sors made up of our ablest and most It tt
nest practical business men and wo ore !
'e every county will take sufficient use e
rest IN the question to see that a re, age
'tt'e d rep and
Is selected-not for the honor met
VII eonfer-but for the amount of =
no ana substantial work he can do in "
Nm Ill. n