Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-08-12

proves that this has not been of much val
no throughout more than three-fourths Of
century that We have practiced it.
Fourteen years ago. the Council had
several sessions, and proposed some i'm
portant amendments, which were voted
down by the Convention. and all went for
naught, though not 80 to the taxpayers.
They had to foot the bills, including the
building Of new State House, serious
matter to the people for which they re-
ceived no benefit, except settling the ques-
ton Of territory, instead Of population, as
q basis for representation in the lower
House. This cannot now be altered; the
small towns viii not give up this, nor
does the change here proposed contemplate
meddling with it. The small towns are
guarded and protected in their rights by
the first and second votes of the Legisla-
ture and by two-thirds vote at each
time, and this to take place only once in
ten years.
Seven years ago the Council, having the
fate of the measures proposed by their
predecessors, acted wiser, and called no
convention There were, however, calls
from some parts of the State to abolish
the Council, and to prevent committing
suicide, as it is termed by some, this may
have been reason for not calling con-
vention; but there is no danger that the
Legislature will some day turn upon the
Council with an act of homicide, as they
did in Pennsylvania, when it shall appear
that this is the only remedy to rid them
selves of what may be deemed useless
body' There was strong squirting
that way fourteen years ago, by the Leg
islature passing vote of censure upon
the Council for exceeding, as they called
it, their powers, thus assuming to review
the acts of the Council, reversing the
order of things, and forestalling the COM
ing convention, which took the instruc-
ton and voted all acts of the Council
down, forthwith, and with very little GER
emony. Thus, al ended in farce, and
to the disgust Ct that portion of the peo-
pie who understood and thought much
upon the subject. Shall it be said at this
day, in this enlightened age, that we dis
trust the people, and dare not trust them
with the final vote of approval or disap-
prevail in changing their fundamental
law? Shall we assume to know what Is
for their best interests better than they
know themselves? | know it is said that
it is well enough now, and let well enough
alone. The same argument would have
applied with equal force to our old turn
pike wagon-roads, to the old farm ma
chinery, against sewing machines, in favor
of spinning wheels and hani-looms. We
lived comfortably with the use OF all
these things, and, had we felt no desire
for change and improvement, railroads,
factories, the horse-mowers, rakes, ted
ders, and ladies' sewing-machines, would
have been unknown to us, and we should
have been plodding on under the old
primitive system that existed at the time
of the formation of this provision of our
Constitution. Other Councils have sought
and effected improvements In 1888, the
old State Council was abolished, and the
Senate substituted. Fourteen years later
our county officers were ordered to be elect
ed by the people instead of by the Legisla-
ture. These were recognitions of the i'm
proved intelligence of the people; and can
we say there has been no improvement
since those periods, and that the people
are not now fit TO be trusted with this
proposed changer But, say one, they do
not desire it, they are satisfied es it is.
And why is it SO Z The reason is obvious.
1t has thus far been SO remote from them,
having no direct action in the matter,
they have concerned themselves but little
about it, and, so far as they are concern
ed, have let it 60 by default. And now |
repeat, is it mot desirable to educate the
people to know their Constitution, to take
an interest in its revision, and have final
action in this revision Other States do
it. Even in the South. where there Is not
supposed to be moity of the intelligence
and education there is in Vermont, the
Government require a su omission of their
constitutions TO a vote of the people. And
shall it be said that here in enlightened
Vermont, a Council of Censors of 10 men
refnsod to subni. amendments TO the
State constitution to a final vote of the
people Such action seems to the minor
ity of your Committee to be preposterou9
and unjust The greatest objection to
the proposed change that has come 10 the
knowledge Of the minority of your Com
mittee, Is enhanced cost" by leaving it,
with the Legislature to be continually
with constitutional questions
prolougIug The sessions at great expense 10
the State, etc. Now we do not propose
that the Legislature shall have any power
over the question oftGner than once III
"tcn year," which may lengthen that ses-
sion one week, and the reference 10 the
next Legislature may consume one half
week, az the second vote is merely to APP
prove or reject by articles or sections.
This is just about the same length Of time
that the conventions have been in session,
at about the same expense costing in
each "ten years" what is now expended in
each "seven years" Then there il the
additional cost in each seven years Of the
several sessions Of the Council, and the
two primary meetings Of the people to
choose the Council and the members Of
the Convention, which, by the estimate Of
the committee on Biennial Sessions, would
be Large item," two days work for each
voter.
But no time is lost in the proposed
change in voting at home, for 1t Is done
at the time and place Of voting for State
and county officers. And the expense OF
the proposed change must be considerably
less than the present system OF this
fact, the minority of your Committee
have not the least particle of doubt. The
object of referring amendments to sec
ond Legislature, is to give the newspapers
a full year to discuss the subject proposed,
and the people time to know and under
stand the whole matter, and they can
then elect members in reference to their
vote on the amendments, instruct them it
they please, and afford every facility to
the people to know and understand what
their fundamental law is, and whether or
not they desire any change.
In conclusion, the minority of your
Committee would appeal to the honor and
sense of Justice Of those of the Council
who do not like the change personally, to
suffer it to go to the people through their
Convention, if one is to be called. Let
the people say to their Convention, wheth-
er they want the change or not. Ii they
vote it down, there will be the end of it,
and it will become settled question.
Otherwise it will be agitated again at the
next septennial Council The people will
not be satisfied without an opportunity to
express an opinion through Convention,
and it seems to minority of your Com
mittee that it is their right to have it SO
N IL 10