Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-06-17

been proposed, what has been accomplish
cd and what has failed:
Under the provisions OF the 43d section of
the Constitution of this State, there has been
elected a council Of censors once in seven
years since the first adoption of that instru-
ment
The original Constitution of this State
was adopted by convention in the year
177s. The first council Of censors was elect
ed i'm March, 1855, and held three sessions,
one at Norwich, one at Windsor, and one at
Bennington; and of this body Increase |
Mosoly was President, and Micah Town
send, Secretary. They proposed numerous |
amendments to the Constitution, and issued
an address to the freemon of the State, in |
which they criticised freely and sharply the |
legislation of the preceding septenary. |
Their most important proposals of amend
ment, those limiting the number of Repre-
sentatives to $50 10 be elected on basis of
population, and districting the State for this
purpose, were not adopted by the conven-
ton which the council called.
The second council held three sessions at
Rutland, in June, october and November
of 1872. Samuel Knight was President, and
Roswell Hopkins, Secretary. This council
proposed that Senate should be elected
VERY much rs our Senate is at present con-
stituted,) and limited the duties of the Gov
crnor and council to the right of veto, but
provided that any bill vetoed by them
might be passed by a majority of the House
and Senate, when it should become law.
The right of the Governor to Judge in eases
of impeachment was abrogated, and an adj
visory council of four was to be elected by
the House and Senate TO meet with the
Governor "and advise with him in grant
ing pardons, renting fines and laying em
bargoes." In the proceedings of this coun-
ell, we for the first time discover any init
nation of the jealousy which existed tow
ard the council and which finally resulted
in its abolition. None of these proposals,
however, were adopted by the convention.
The third council held its session at Wind
sor in October, 1899. Moses Robinson was
President, and David Fay, Secretary. The
council proposed no amendments to the
Constitution and called no convention. In
their address, however, they animadverted
severely upon some of the legislation of the
preceding seven years, and ordered the i'm
peachment before the Governor and coun-
ell of Vim. Coley, the sheriff of Bennington
county, for taking illegal fees. 1t is worthy
of notice, as showing the jealousy of the
House of Representatives toward the coun-
ell, that instead of presenting the case TO
that body, where by the Constitution it
should have been tried, they proceeded to
;py 10 ha Of or tbpp cplN.p and
nounced the charges unsubstantated.
The fourth council held its session at
Woodstock in October, 1906. Moses Robin
son was President, and Thomas Goss, Sec
retary. This council proposed no amend
ments to the constitution and called no con-
vention. They reprehended, however, in
their address, some of the legislation which
they were to review, especially an act to
provide for the support of the Gospel, which
they declared to be contrary to the third ar
ticle of the bill of rights.
The fifth council held in June and Octo-
Der, 1913, sessions at Montpelier, and ses-
sion in the following January at Middle
bury. Isaac Tichenor was President, Rob
ert Temple, Secretary, and Rev. Chester
Wright, Chaplain. They proposed numer-
Gus amendments to the Constitution, the
most important of which was to substitute
a Senate of twenty-fou members for the
Governor and council each Senator to hold
his Office for three years. The authority to
grant pardons in case of capital punishment
was vested in the Legislature, and the Gov
| ernor authorized to grant reprieves until it
should be in session. The Governor, by
| and with the consent of the Senate, was au-
| thorized to appoint all judges, sherifIs, high
bailiffs, justices of the peace, and major and
| brigadier generals of the militia.
The judges of the supreme court were to
| hold their office during good behavior; the
| judges of probate and of county and circuit
courts for five years; and the sherifls, high
bailif's, and justices of the peace, three
| years. The power of veto was conferred on
| the Governor. No officer of the general
| government could hold any State office, and
| they prohibited the suspension of the writ
| of habeas corpus.
Tho convention called by the council met
at Montpelier, July I, 1914, and adjourned
| on the morning of the 9th of July. Jonas
Galusha was President Wm. 4. Griswold,
| y,
lain. The convention rejected each of the
amendments proposed by the council by a
very large majority.
The sixth council held March and Octo-
her NS20) session, and session in March,
1921, at Montpelier. William Hunter was
| President, Joshua Y. Vail, Secretary, and
Rev. Chester Wright, Chaplain. The coun-
ell proposed the following amendments;
To constitute the council coordinate
branch of the Legislature with the House
of Representatives, TO be made up by elect
ing to the council one member from each
county. To change the basis of representa-
| ton in the House so as to give one member
to each 2000 inhabitants, and restricting the
number of Representatives to $50. The
powers of the Governor were limited so
that he could not "sit, as judge, to hear
and determine on impeachmonts, which
were to be determined by the council; nor
could he, without the advice and consent OF
the council, grant pardons, remit fines, nor
command the forces Of the State in person,
unless advised thereto by the council, and
then only so long as they should approve
thereof The judges to hold their Office fol
a term of seven years, subject, however, to
removal by impeachment, by two-third'
vote of the House and Senate in joint as
sembly.
The convention called by this council mel
at Montpelier, Feb. n, 1922, and adjourned
on the 23d of the same month. Jonas Ga
lusha was President, VIM. A. Griswold
Secretary, and Rev. Chester Wright, Chap
lain. The convention rejected all Of the
proposed amendments by vote of ten tC
one.
The seventh council held June and Octo
ber sessions at Montpelier, and November
session at Burlington,-Asa Aikens wal
President, Daniel Kellogg, Secretary, anC
Rev. Chester Wright, Chaplain. The coun
ell proposed the following amendments
To substitute a Senate of % members TO
the council To give the right of veto I,