Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-12-09
Council OF CenSOrs.

sors is TO be chosen under the 43d section of
the State Constitution, which is as follows
Sec. AZ. In order that the freedom OF this
commonwealth may be preserved invIolate
forever, there shall be chosen BIZ ballot, by
the freemen o fthis State, on the last W ednes-
day N the year one thousand seven hundred
and ~ninety-nine, and on the last Wednesday
IN March in every seven wears thereafter,
thirteen persons, who shall be chosen in the
in the same manner the council is chosen. ex-
cept they shall not be out OF the council or
general assembly, % be called the council Of
censors, who shall meet together on the first
Wednesday of june next ensuing their cleo
ton, the msjoritv Of whom shall be q quo
rum in every case, except as ~ call a
convention, IN which two-thirds of the whole
number elected shall agree. and whose duty
it shall be to inquire whether the constitu-
ton has been preserved inviolate in every
part during the last s~eptenary, { including
the year OF their ~serYice,) anu whether the
legislative and executive branches Of govern
ment have performed their duty as guardians
C. the people, or assumed u themselves, or
exercised other or greater powers than they
are entitled TO by the constitution. They
are also to inquire whether the public taxes
have been justly laid and collected in al
parts of this commonwealth, in what man
ner the public moneys have been disposed Of,
and whether the laws have been duly execu-
ted For these purposes they shall have
power - send for persons, papers and rec
ords they shall have authority TO pass
pubiic censures, 70 order impeachments, and
20 recommend TO tie legislature the rcpeal-
ing such laws rs shall appear TO them TO
have been passed contrary To the principles
OF the constitution: these powers they shall
continue 10 have for and during the space Of
one year from the day of their election, and
no longer The said council Of censors ehall
also have power TO call a convention, to meet
within two years after their sitting, If there
appears 10 them an absolute necessity Of
amending any article of this constitution
which may be defective. explaining such as
may be thought not clearly expressed, and
of adding such az ere necessary for the
preservation of the rights and happiness of
the people. But the articles to be amended,
and the amendments proposed, and such ar
tlcles as are proposed 10 be added or abolished,
shall be promulgated at least six months
before the day appointed for the election of
such convention, for the previous considera-
ton of the people, that they may have an
opportunity of instruc,ing their delegates
on the subject.
The Rutland Herald, after expressing the
opinion that the present representation by
towns in the more numerous branch of our
General Assembly will be left undisturbed,
makes the following suggestions respecting
the acts OF the next Council
Much has been said against the large and
expensive representation by towns in the
House of Representatives, and much in IA
vor of the enlargement of the basis of repre-
sentation by establishing a basis of population
and a representation by Districts. Our own
nnInInn - rhn- ~0@-.1on+-a -
While it Is unequal and may be unjust as be-
tween tho towns themselves. Is nevertheless
a security for the purity Of our Legislatures
and for the consequent purity of legislation.
Whether this be so, or not. we are Of the
opinion that our people are welded to the
system of representation by town, and that
any other needed reform which should he
coupled with a change in the present system
of town representation would 90 d0un before
the ultimate tribunal of the people.
If we mistake Lot the sentiment of the peo-
pie. the next council OF censors will recon-
mend
1st-Ths abolition OF the council Of CEN
sors, anu the vestIng OF the power ofamend-
ment to the constitution in the General
Assembly, with such restrictions and safe
guards as 50 important a trust Will demand.
2d--Biennial Sessions of the Legislature,
and of course biennial elections and a two
years tenure Of Office where but one is now
provided.
3d.-Making It obligatory upon the Gene-
raj Assembly to pass General Laws for the
organization OF private corporations Of every
character. end prohibiting special acts OF
incorporation of any character.
These questions are already understood BY
the people, and we believe they would meet
with universal favor. Those who favor .
smaller number of representatives would
find IN fhE1 -
crease or 0ne-haLf the present representation,
and those who believe that we have 100 much
legislation. VIII cheerfully acquiesce in the
decrease of opportunity for legislative mis-
chief which their amendments would secure.
We think we Do not mistake when we say
that three fourths of the time Of the General
Assembly IL occupied in the passage of pri-
vste acts Of Incorporation 1t IS getting to
De a great evil, and this amendment applies
the true remedy.
We hope TO see our next council Of oensors
made up of our ablest and most earnest
practical business men, and VIC hope every
county viii take sufficient interest In the
question to see that a representative is Sc
lected-not for the honor it will confer-but
for the amount of sound aad substantial work
he can do in the accomplishment of constitu-
tional reforms.
Perhaps before these candidates are named
we shall have an opportunity Of discussing
the question of-' woman suffrage" Would
IL be strange If Vermont should lead the van
IN comforting upon woman the right to the
ballot? We cheerfully give notice TO the
champions of this right abroad that here and
now a field is open for the enlightened discus
slon OF the wholc question OF womans rights.
Cur people Will hear, reason and decide, and
the result can be carried directly into that
a. higher law whose provisions representa-
tives will meet to discuss, and. if necessary.
remodel for the more e~fectual security and
prosperity of the people.
We cannot see any good reason for abolish
ing the Council of Ccnsors. This form of
amending the Constitution has been produc-
tive of no evils in the past. Once in seven
years is as frequently as the organic law
needs doctoring, or examining in order to
discover defects, if there are any. The
Council ordinarily is composed of men of
ability, judgment and discretion, versed in
constitutional law. Generally it is not par
tIsan, but chosen with reference to fitness
for the work, rather than on account Of po-
Gtical preferences. 1t has but one business
TO attend to, aud, therefore, need not be con
fused or Influenced in its work by having
other questions to consider, and other inter
ests to consult. 1t is not expensive and a
constitutional convention is SO seldom called
would be much less than by the way pro-
posed by the Herald. We cannot see any
good result to be reached by abolishiug the