Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-06-15
MONDAY, June 10, 1870

4hvNpAl bNH' i's lNf's
Prayer hy Rev w. H. Lord of Montpelier
The reading OF the Journal OF Saturday was
postponed until 10 o'clock this morning, at which
time it was read and approved
Mr.. Francis, of Wells, called up the resolution
relating to the final adjournment, and moved to
amend so as to provide for final adjournment on
Tuesday June 18th, Mt O'Clock in the morning
After some discussion, Mr.. Hartshorn, OF Cana
an, moved to lay the resolution and amendment
ON the table, which was agreed to.
Mr. Parker, Of Wolcott, offered the following
resolution
Resoired, That the thauks Of this Convention
are hereby rendered to Hon. George Nichols, for
the able and impartial manner in which he has
performed the duties Of President Of the COnycn-
ton
Which was unanimously adopted.
Mr.. llinman, Of Charleston, moved that the
Convention do now resolve itself into committee
OF the whole for the purpose of considering the
remaining proposed articles of amendment which
was agreed TO- Nh Hyde, of Castleton, being in
the chair.
The remaining articles were then read They
are artclc---proydin5 for the biennial elections
ulJudgcs Of the Supreme Court, and article g.,
providing Tor the abolition of the Council of Cen
sors, and providing that amendment. To the Con
stitution Of this State shall hereafter be proposed
by the Legislature. once in ten years, and be nt-
fed by popular vote.
Mr. Marsh, Of Woodstock, moved that the com
mittee recommend to the Convention that it is ex-
pedlcnt 10 adopt the sixth article Of the amend
ments as proposed by the Council Of Censors,
and spoke in favor of the amendment
MIR. Woodward of Brandon, suspected that
| fresh iilibustering would take place every seven
years il this bunging Council OF Censors was not
abolished. lie claimed that this present system
was no fair way 10 amend the Constitution. lie
wished the people to vote directly ON amendments.
Mr. Walton, of Montpelier, referred at length
to the history Of the old Constitution, and to sec
ton 10 as being intended to preserve the harmony
OF the scheme of government. The right of pro-
posing amendments was given b the Council of
Censors, elected by the people at large, so as 10
preserve popular rights while the power to re-
| iect or adopt amendments was given 10 Conyen-
tion in which the towns have an equal voice so
as to preserve the rights Of the towns Now we
are asked TO abolish both Council and Convention
and substitute a scheme by which bare majority
of the people at large has the power both of inti-
atng and deciding all future alterations of the
constitution. lie wished it TO be well understood
that he did not stand here 10 defend the interests
of the town Of Montpelier, but rather 70 defend
the rights of the small towns against danger from
| the large towns, in which dwell q majority of
| the population. The trainers Of the Constitution
designed to guard carefully all the interests of
the people and specially their town interests for
most Ot our interests are embraced in and with
| the towns, such rs our interests in elections in
town affairs, schools, roads and bridges taxes.
Indeed the larger part of the general laws of the
State bear directly upon and in degree are execu-
| ted through the towns, and on and by each alike
The fOeRs are the foundation of our system, and
the entire superstructure is erected upon that
! As 10 the argument suggested that minori-
| ~ of the people may elect the Council of Censors
we are in Just the same dilemma in regard to the
Senate, for our Senators may also be elected by a
minority, bare plurality OF the voters By this
/ urnpoapb omnudtuopt no pot,rta tl,.s.
sentitiyes have not the power OF ntiatingamend-
ments and sending them up to the Seuate for con-
currence but the Senate has the sole power of
/ proposing amendments, but can do 40 only by "A
two-thirds vote so that the Senate which may
be chosen by minority OF the people, can refuse
| 10 propose amendments, and the will OF the peO-
| pie be defeated. Ii has been said that the sec
ond article, which has been adopted, was an en-
terlng wedge tending to a result fatal TO the in
terests Of the towns. lie could see in this sixth
article direct attempt to prepare the way for
! stripping the small towns OF the right of repre-
sentatlon. Pass this amendment, aud in 1850
/ the Senate can propose that the number of repre-
senatiyes shall be reduced, and that the State
shall be dstrioted 1t is in thepower Of seventy
seven towns ~ elect all the Senator's, and two
thirds of them, thus elected, can propose amend
ments and should those amendments get TO the
people the same II towns have majority of the
voters, and can adopt the amendments in spite of
VIZ iui sunni NoNn0s LUIS NlI W
giving the figures in each county lie feared
that the Convention had opened the way for dan
gerous oncroachments upon the rights Of the peo-
pie in the towns. The town meetings are the
Paslaments of the people-the schools for the ed
ucaton Of legislators and statesmen but we have
already changed the Constitution " as 10 provide
for State elections only once in two years and the
same arguments that had been urged in favor of
that measure would be urged in favor of a SINH
lar change in our town affairs and we should
ultimately find ourselves in the same condition as
the people Of the State Of New York, where the
supervisors really the law makers ofths towns.
Now we are endangering the right of the towns
% an equal voice in the House of Representatives
This measure is direct blow ut the rights of
towns, and putting the matter where we are not
sure il will be safe.
The advocates of this project will say there is
no danger but what is the lesson OF history ?
The attempt TO destroy the right of towns 10
equal representation in the House has been made
four times already, in the history of the State,
and failed in the Constitutional Convention but
il will yet succeed, ii we adopt this proposition
Of amendment, Thepeople at large are represented
in the Senate. All that should be represented
in the House Of Representatives Is the corporate