Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1869-01-15
CoU.yCrL OF CE.,-sORS.

Section 43 of the Constitution of Vermont
reads as follows:-
"In order that the freedom of this COM
monwealth may be preserved inviolate for
ever, there shall be chosen by ballot, by
the freemen of this State, on the last We'd
nesday in March, in the year 1709 and on
the last Wednesday in March in every sew
en- years thereafter, thirteen persons, who
shall be chosen in the same manner the
council is chosen, except they shall not be
out of the council or general assembly, to
be called the council of censors, who shall
meet together on the first Wednesday of
June next ensuing their election, the ma
jority of whom shall be quorum in every
case, except as to calling n convention, in
which two-thirds of the whole number
elected shall agree; and whose duty II shall
be TO inquire whether the Constitution has
been preserved inviolate in every part dur
ing the last septenary, Including the year
of their sorvice,) and whether the legisla-
tive and executive branches of government
have performed their duty as guardians of
the people, or assumed to 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 all
parts of this commonwealth in what man
ner the public moneys have been disposed
of, and whether the laws have been duly
executed. For these purposes they shall
have power to send for persons, papers and
records they shall have authority TO pass
public consures, to order impeachments,
and to recommend TO the Legislature the
repeating such laws as shall appear to them
to have been passed contrary to the princi-
| Piles of the Constitution; these powers they
shall continue to have for and during the
space of one year from the day of their olec-
ton, and no longer. The said council OF
censors shall have power to call a conven-
ton, to meet within two years after their
sitting, if there appears to them an absolute
necessity of amending any article of this
| Constitution which may be defective, ex-
planning such as may be thought not clearly
expressed, and of adding such as are neces-
sary for the preservation of the rights and
happiness of the people. But the articles to
be amended, and the amendments proposed
and such articles as are proposed to be adj
ded or abolished, shall be promulgated at
least six months before the day appointed
for the election of such convention, for the
previous consideration of the people, that
they may have an opportunity of instruct
ing their delegates on the subject
This is the year for the election Of consors
The election is to take place Wednesday
March 3lst. The first question before the
people is, How shall candidates for thes,
thirteen censors he selected? Two way,
are suggested. One is for each county t
have a convention and nominate one can
didate. The other is for the State commit
tees of both parties, Republicans and Dem
ocrats, to unite in calling State convention
for the nomination of the whole ticket. w
care little which of these courses is taken
but think it would be less trouble to hav,
one State convention than thirteen Count,
conventions, and so we choose the former.