St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1868-12-11
From the Rutland Herald.
The Merit Council of CcnSOrs,

Jul lstWS dS NOtIlICll vi SCHSOlS.
The duties of this ''Councr' are gener-
ally to See that the laws have been faith
fully executed; the Constitution pre-
served inviolate; taxes justly levied and
collected, and properly expended, &c,
&c. 1t has also the power to call a
State convention for the purpose of al
tering, explaining, or amending the con-
stitution.
Through this agency, twenty-three ar
ticles of amendment to our constitution
have been adopted by the different con-
ventions which have been called for this
purpose. In the main we believe our
constitution satisfies the people whom it
governs, and as an .organic law, COM
pares favorably with that OF other states
of the Union. We say ''in the main
because Ne are aware that there are very
many OF our wisest and best men who
have become satisfied that some amend
men:s 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 recommendations 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 biennial
sessions of the legislature, instead OF an
nual, as we now have. We believe the
people are convinced that the machinery
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 tie simplicity and purity of our
organic law. while 1t shall. ut the same
time, lessen the burthens of the masses.
The late legislature appropriated fifty
thousand dollars rs debentures Of the
Lieut.. Governor and general assembly
The people do not complain that the
sum is eXorbitant, but they earnestly
ask the question ii there cannot be some
way devised by which this expense may
6e saved, in part. and the interest of the
whole state cared for and preserved as
well us now. In our Judgment, the
remedy is in the hands of the rcxt coun-
Gil Of ccnsors, ana if they do not apply
it, the people are themselves responsible
for the failure.
Much has been said against the large
and expensive representation 10y towns
in the house of representatives, and much
i'll favor of tue enlargement of the basis
of representation by establishing basis
of population, and a representation 10y
districts. Our own opinion is that rep
sentatlons by towns while it Is unequal
and may be unjust As between the towns
themselves. is nevertheless a security for
the purity of our legislatures and for the
consequent purity of legislation. Wheth-
er tin, be 50. or not. we are of the opln-
ion that our people are welded TO the
system of representation by towns, and
that any other needed reform which
should be coupled with a change in the
present system of town representation
would 90 down before the ultimate tri-
bunal of the people.
Ii we mistake not the sentiment OF the
people, the NEXT council OF ctn-or> will
recommend
l>t-Thc abolition of the council of
censorS, and the vc-tin. OF the power OF
amendment to the constitution III the
general assembly. with such restrictions
and safeguards As 50 important trust
will demand
2d-Bicnnial sessions OF the lcgi~Ia-
ture, and of course biennial elections and
a two years tenure OF office where but
one is now provided.
id.-Nlaking it obligatory upon the
general assembly To pass general laws for
the organization of private corporations
of every character. and prohibiting
special acts of Incorporation OF any char
acter.
These questions are already under
stood 10y the people. aud we believe they
would meet with universal favor. Those
who favor Il smaller number of represent
tatives would find in this proposition
practically Il decrease of One-halt the
present representation, and those who
believe that we have too much lcgi>la-
ton, will checrtully acquie>ce in the de
crease Of opportunity tor legislative mis-
chief which their amendments would Sc
cure.
We think we do not mistake when we
say that three-tourths Of the time of the
general assembly is occupied i'll the pas
sage OF private acts OF Incorporation. 1t
is getting to be great evil, and this
amendment applies the true remedy.
We hope to see our next council OF
ccnsors made up of our able-t and most
earnest practical business men, and We
hope every county will take sufficient ill.,
terest in the question TO see that a rep
rescntatve is selected-not tor the honor
it will conter-but for the amount OF
sound and substantial work lie can do in
the accomplishment OF constitutional re-
forms.
Perhaps before these candidates are
named we shall have an opportunity of
discussing the question of woman >uf-
frage." Would it be strange if Vermont
should lead the van in comforting upon
woman the right 10 the ballot We
chcertully give notice TO the champions
OF this right abroad that here and now Il
field is open fer the enlightened discus
Sions of the whole question of woman's
rights. Our people will here, reason
and decide and the result can be car
rird directly into that ''higher law
whose provisions representatives will
meet to discuss, and, if necessary, re-
model, for the more eileciual security
and prosperity Of the people.
More Kerosene.