Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-06-16

Vi tu0lr 1OE S6TVlCe.
r. If any body of men should be expected
to live up to the spirit as we'll as the let
ter of the constitution, it should certainly
be the members of convention elected
and assembled for the express purpose Of
considering and amending that constitu-
ton.
For my part, sir, I am not willing to
see any part of the constitution made q
dead letter, either in letter or spirit, by SO
wise and experienced a body as this con-
| vention.
| Moreover, sir, I claim that there is a
great improperly in approaching SO VEN
cradle thing as the constitution Of the
State, except under the solemnity and
sancity Of an obligation.
The proposed amendment was opposed
by Mr.. Horribin of Bennington, Mr.. Kel-
logg of Benson, Mr.. Field of Brattleboro,
Mr.. Dillingham; of Waterbury and Mr..
Drake of Royalton, on the ground that
this convention is not an executive body,
but delegate convention, elected to car
ry out the instructions given them by the
respective towns; and that to carry out
these instructions many delegates would
be compelled to resign their seats in the
convention rather than vote, under the
solemnity of an oath, againt the instruc-
tions Of their towns.
Mr.. Horribin of Bennington moved that
the amendment of Mr.. Green of Rich
mond be dismissed; which YVES agreed to,
and the report of the committee on rules
was adopted.
Mr.. Dillingham; of Waterbury moved
that a committee of one from each county
be appointed to make up the debentures
of the members of the convention.
Mr.. Lyford of Warren, moved to amend
the motion by substituting the following
resolution, which was agreed to and the
resolution adopted:
ReS0Iued, That committee OF one from
each county be appointed by the chair to
make up, receive and disburse the deben-
lures of this convention.
Mr.. Field of Brattleboro, presented the
memorial of Miss Amelia Tyler Burnham
and $50 other ladies of Brattleboro, ask
ing the extension of the right of suffrage,
and asked the reading of the memorial,
which was done by the Secretary.
(The Memorial will appear hereafter)
Mr.. Field of Guilford, presented the
memorial of Mrs. Lucia s. @. Bayden
and AZ others, ladies of Guilford, in favor
of the extension of suffrage.
Mr.. Walton, of Montpelier, moved that
the petitions be laid on the table, and that
the Secretary be directed to enter the
same upon the journal by their title only +;
and after discussion by Mr.. Walton of
Montpelier, Mr.. Field, of Brattleboro,
Mr.. Drake, of Royalton, and Mr.. Kellogg
of Benson, it was voted that all petitions
and memorials be laid on the table.
Mr.. Francis, of Wells, offered the fol-
lowing resolution
ReSolced, That committee of five be
appointed by the chair to consider and re-
port upon day for final adjournment.
Which was agreed to.
Mr.. Bittenger, of Hartland, offered a
petition of Miss Harriet Williams and "a
others, ladies of the sixth school district
of Hartland, out of the female population
of 81, against the fifth article of amend
ment which was ordered to lie on the
table.
Mr., Hyde. of Castleton, presented the
petition of Jane Eliza Foot and others of
Rutland county in favor of female suf-
| frage; which was ordered to lie.
Mr.. Bailey. of Dummerston, presented
the petition of Fanny NJ. Knight and %
other ladies of Dummerston in favor of fe-
male suffrage; and also the remonstrance
| of Caroline o. Harvey ana 90 uthrrS
! against fAr,aaln anffraga: which were or
dered to lie.
Mr.. Edmunds, of Weston, offered the
following resolution
ReS0Zged That this convention deems
the adoption of the first proposed article
of amendment expedient; r5
Which, on motion of Mr.. Powers, of
Morristown, was ordered to lie.
Mr.. Sherman, of Dover, presented the
others, ladies of Dover, in favor of female
suffrage, which was laid on the table.
| Mr. Wood, of Vernon, presented the
petition of Mrs. a. w. Cone and az others,
| ladies of Vernon, in favor of female Suf-
| ITdRb, "nlCU w DIS Itiiu Ol TIC tdDtSs
Mr.. Batter, Of Windsor, offered the fol-
lowing resolution:
| ReS0I0cd, That the convention now re-
solve itself into committee of the whole
for the purpose of considering the first
article of amendment to the constitution,
as proposed by the council of censors.
Mr. Field moved to amend so as to en-
brace all the articles of amendment,
which was disagreed to, and the resolution
was then adopted.
The convention then went into commit
tee of the whole, Mr.. Bingham of Stowe
being called to the chair.
The article is as follows:
/ ARTICLE l.
Corporations shall not be created. nor
their powers increased or diminished by
special laws, except for municipal pur-
poses.
The question being, will the committee
Of the whole recommend to the convention
the adoption of the first article of amend
ment?
Mr.. Dillingham; of Waterbury wished to
know the reasons of the Council in pro-
posing the article of amendment. He
knew that as the present general law re-
lating to formation of private corpora
tions was too multiform and exacting,
parties are driven necessarily to the Leg
islature. They must go there to get
clear and exact record of their powers,
privileges and duties, while if they are
formed under the statute much litigation
must follow from the fact that it is doubt
full whether they comply with the uncer-
tain provisions of the statute. The ses-
sions of the Legislature are not made
longer by these acts of incorporation.
This legislation is a positive advantage
and convenience to the people--a necessity
in many cases, as with railroad corpora
lions. If these corporations are formed
under the statute the Courts alone can
construe their powers, and the Legislature
cannot amend their charters as is needed.
We should encourage business men to
come to the Legislature.
Mr.. Paterson of Newbury would vote
in favor of the article both from his in