Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-02-23
tl5atchman s. Jnurnal.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY %, 1870.
The Amendments.

Inc AlntnuintHiNs
The discussion of the fifth article Of amend
ment proposed by the Council, has occupied
more than it's fair share Of public attention
: Other proposals Of amendment deserve some
consideration, and in fact are awakening quite
as much thought among the people, as the Fe-
male Suffrage question. This has already re-
ceived its quietus. Our people never had much
interest in it, and looked upon it with indificr-
enoe, but now that it has been forced upon
their attention, and its chief advocates from
abroad have ventilated their well used stock
Of shallow and superficial ideas, and are carry
ing on still further their ill-conceved and
badly managed campaign, the feeling Of in.
difference has passed over into one Of positive
disgust and antagonism When fundamental
changes Of the social and political structure
are pressed upon US from abroad by female
ranters, who resort to the tactics and slandors
and bravado Of male politicians, and who are
as incapable Of approaching the subjects they
discuss, and the results they would force upon
US, as a child is Of understanding the explo-
siye character and disastrous effects Of bar.
rel of gunpowdor, we are not at loss to
account for the widespread contempt with
which their efforts are looked upon, both by
the intelligent men and women of Vermont
But while the Fifth proposition Of the
Council is killed by the unnatural treatment
of its own progenitors, by an act of prenatal
murJier, and will soon be buried out Of sight
and beyond all hope Of resurrection by the
people, it were well not to forget that there
are other proposals Of amendment TO the con-
situation, that may as well attend the same
func raj and have a similar burial Article
two substitutes biennial sessions of the Leg
islature for annual sessions aud changes the
terms Of certain officers from one to two years
There are some reasons in favor Of such q
change as this though we think they arc
overborne by the reasons against it. 1t is not
necessary that State like Vermont, of small
territory, and itsinterests homogeneous, should
follow the example Of such large States as
illinois There are some advantages connect
cd with frequent legislative assemblies. They
save the necessity of extra sessions, which,
even in our present system, have been called
three times within the last twelve years. They
promote a more intelligent understanding Of
the affairs Of the State by all the people,
They require frequent reports Of the condi-
ton Of the various interests Of the State, Of
the railroads, Of the reform schools, state
prison and asylums and the public treasury.
They keep constant watch over public ser.
wants and officials, and reader malfeasance
population and fraud, more difficult. Yer
mont has been remarkably free from political
and financial corruption, and it is in part
owing to the constant supervision, which the
people exercise through the Legislature, over
all the varied interests of the commonwealth
A frequent rendering Of the account of then
stewardship, by the various officers Of the
State, from Governor down to lowest subor.
dnate, is very helpful to honesty and eff
6eiency in the public service. The people will
reflect good while before they surrender the
constant oversight of their affairs.
Nor is the social influence in so small
a State as ours, of frequent legislative ses-
sions, of small account They help to a
better mutual understanding of all local aud
special interests, They bring the people to.
gether often and prevent the growth of local
jealousies, or Of rival and conflicting interests.
They diffuse intelligence and wider appre.
citation of the relations and business and neces.
sites of the State, through all portions of it.
as the representatives of all the towns annu-
ally gather at the capital. We are far from
thinking that biennial sessions would be more
; economical than annual. With all the waste
> of diminished accountability in public Off
GERS, with all the increased opportunities for
the abuse of public trusts with many re-
straints removed from, and many advantages
given to, designing and dishonest officials, there
would also be longer sessions of the Legisla-
ture and augmented pay to all executive and
administrative officers, whose labors would be
increased by the change. On the whole il
seems to us that very grave reasons stand
against this proposition of the Council Of
: Censors. The advantages it promises arc
more imaginary than real.
We shall recur from time to time to this
subject of the proposed amendments We
find very little in any of them to approve
The first and the third are of insignificant
character, well enough to adopt but not well
enough to put the State to the cost of Con
I vention for the sake of adopting them. And
if anything could make us in favor of the
sixth, abolishing the Council of Censors, the
action of the present and previous council
would satisfy US of its wisdom.