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


the gentleman from Waterbury. He had
been member of the legislature several
times, and drew up and presented
general law for the formation OF corpora
tions and upon the passage OF that law,
he had uniformly voted against the pass
age of any act to incorporate private cor
porations. He thought all should be
placed upon an equal footing in regard to
the formation of corporations-one man
or set of men should have the same right
that other men or set OF men have. Ii the
article related only to private corporations
he might be more in favor of it. But 1T
cut off all corporations. We could not
form corporations even for benevolent pur-
poses. We should completely tie our own
hands, and could not incorporate such
bodies, and for such purposes as we could
not provide for by general legislation.
The article ia not properly limited and
therefore he could not vote for it.
Mr.. Carpenter, of Readsboro, thought
that no change should be made unless the
grievances complained of would be re-
lieyed thereby. 1t is well known that
many corporations are in existence under
general law, and if this amendment is
adopted the legislature can never change
their powers as may be necessary. These
enterprises, after becoming strong are apt
to grow oppressive and the legislature
should have the right to interfere.
Mr.. Field, of Brattleboro, said that in
the early history of the State every thing
almost was incorporated. At that time
aggregation of men in separations was
universally allowed by legislative acts.
But the people soon got tired Of this and
passed a general corporation law provid-
ing nearly all the powers OF interpretations
by the legislature. In 1885 limited
partnership law was passed, of which very
little use has been made. A little later,
in 1858, there was general law passed,
allowing associations for mechanical and
other purposes, nor has this law been
taken advantage of. Every session, MEM
bers have come here with corporation bills
sticking from their pockets like quilts
upon the fretful porcupine." Mr..
Field read a tabular statement show
ing the excess for number of late
years of corporation acts over public acts.
There is moral aspect to this matter.
We cannot keep our halls of legislation
pure with throng of lobbyists here to
engineer these railroad acts through. If
we nau u general Idl4IOao laws VIC HouAo
avoid the expense and corruption insepa-
rable from these disgusting railroad strug-
giles and often after obtaining charters
by long and expensive contest, the roads
have never been built. He would grant
the people power to form any corporation
they please. Other States have derived
great benefit from such provision as the
one we are discussing, particularly Ohio
and Iowa. He would have the same law
for both the smallest and the greatest cor
porations. This article applied only to
corporations which shall be created under
the general law and does not forbid the
legislature from interfering with those
huge corporations already incorporated.
Mr.. Walton of Montpelier said he be-
lieved this amendment was simply a re-
striotion of the legislative powers of the
people of the State-acting retrospective
", in that it will deprive the people OF
any power over existing corporations, and
convert them into close corporations.
This amendment will deprive the
legislature of any power to increase
or diminish the powers already embraced
in acts of corporation. He did not
think it would tend to decrease legisla-
ton for where now special acts are re-
CURED, we would hereafter, if the amend
ment is adopted, have just as much legis-
lation to remedy the grievances of the
people, only it would be under the name
of general laws instead of, as now, by
special acts. He should oppose the amend
ment.
Mr.. Olmstead of Dorset opposed the
amendment He claimed that this amend
ment would have a retrospective eper-
alton, and he insisted that the Legisla-
ture would lose the right to interfere
with sunh monopoly as the Bennington
railroad, and compel it to be Just and lar
Mr.. Hartshorn of Guildhall moved that
the committee rise, report progress, and
ask leave to sit again.
Which was agreed to.
The President having resumed the chair
Mr.. Bingham of Stowe, chairman of the
committee of the whole, reported that the
committee had under consideration the
first proposed article of amendment, had
made some progress, and asked leave 70
sit again at two o'clock this afternoon.
which was granted.
On melton of Mr.. Olmsted of Dorset
adjourned.