Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-06-22
WESTFIELD.
Amendments of the Constitution.

The Council of Censors at their
late session started several important
matters relating to changes in the
constitution, which are to be reported
upon by committees appointed for
that purpose, at their next session in
July. In relation to this matter the
Rutland Herald of Friday, June 18th,
hasa very sensible editorial from which
we make the following extracts:
Many subjects are under consider
alton by the Council, and the impor-
tant bearing they have on the public
veal cOnstrains US to say that we
consider it the imperative duty of the
people Of this State to demand that
such changes shall be made in our
political system as will promote the
highest political, social, and financial
progress of the inhabitants of the
State.
The question of female suffrage is
attracting much attention, and is as
suming proportions which require ac-
ton. We believe the time has come
when restrictions upon classes of our
people must have a reasonable foun-
datiOn or be swept away, and we
might as we'll meet the question and
decide whether the sex of an inteIIi-
gent citizen of mature age is to be the
criterion by which the right of stuff
rage is to be granted or withheld.
The people must give this question a
respectful hearing and candid solution
which shall be consistent with justice
to woman and in accordance with the
enlightened progress OF Republican
liberty. We do not know as This
State is prepared for this question at
the present time, but we believe that
an intelligent agitation of the sub
ject would soon create all the prepar-
ton necessary to remove from our pO-
litical system manifest injustice to
at least half the inhabitants of our
State.
Another subject of grave impor-
lance to our people is the proposition
to prohibit the creation Of private cor
porations by special enactments of the
Legislature. 1t is a notorious fact
that much of the time of our legislative
assemblies has been squandered in
wrangles over the charters of private
corporations. We do not wish to be
understood as advocating a removal
of all restrictions to corporate mo-
nopolies, or the granting away of the
sovereign right of eminent domain,
whereby private property may be tax.
en- for railways, canals, turnpikes, or
other public improvements, but we be-
lieve the bess interest of the people
require that the right of granting cor
porate charters and rights should be
lodged in some judicial tribunal under
a general law of the State. Such a
lcourse would relieve the sessions of
1.-THE legislature of the greater part of
their burdens, would shorten the ses.
Isions and tend to more correct de.
Icision of the legal questions involved
in such application, besides relieving
the State at large from turmoil and
excitement of every petty railroad OF
corporation squabble in every locality
of the State.
| Again, it is manifest that the sys
TEN of special legislation upon the
question of corporate rights and char
tiers, is raising at least suspicious of
corruptions in our legislative bodies
| We have of late, often witnessed il
the railroad fights in the legislature
the assembling of powerful Hobbies
to influence the course of legislation
1t requires no argument to convince
the people of this State, that the found
atoms of our happiness and prosper
perity are strongly menaced by thu
evil and corrupting influence Of al
INSCRIPTIONS lobby, having money ant
patronage to command, upon a legis
lative body in the consideration Of
that class of their duties known a
special Legislation. 1t is uncontra
dicted everywhere that the lobby Of
every legislative body obtains its coun
tenance and pay to a large exten
from parties desiring special legisla
ton. The examples which we hav
in neighboring State, of the corrupt
ing influence of professional lobb,
upon Legislation in obtaining specia
enactments, should awaken an ALARM
III our people, and at once arouse then
to the proper preventive measure
Iaoainst its renetitiOn here.-PheniE.