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

| the establishment OF certain DankS.
The House passed resolution that
they had the inherent and only right
to pass bills in face of the opposition OF
the council. In 1886 these discussions
eliminated in the establishment of CO.
ordinate branch, the senate. The idea OF
the senate was a popular representation,
and it has formed and has continued on
that basis. 1t represents the aggregate
population of the counties and is the true
popular assembly. But in electing CEN
sors the people give no instructions. They
vote for men. In the election of censors
the voting is slight and random and no
issue is made. Whoever is nominated is
not questioned or opposed. Now under
the proposal of amendment, the towns
will be protected even more than they
are in this convention, and he ridiculed
Mr.. Walton's cries of fear for the safety
of the small towns The proposed change
is the most reasonable substitute for the
council and convention that could be
agreed on. He instanced the Connect
cut system of representation and constitu-
tional amendments the latter is about
the same as the proposed change
of ours. In Massachusetts the
tremendous increase of the number OF
towns compelled district system. Their
assembly is still the same size as on r
house. In Pennsylvania there was the
same necessity for district system. But
none of this necessity exists here. Our
state is not large, we have not many
towns, there are no large cities, and no
great difference between the size of diff
erent towns. He had little favor for the
council of censors. No Importance at
taches to its work and recommen-
dations. Why, then, continue the
existence of so offensive body? Rather
put their duties and power upon body
like the Senate, which is composed of the
! best and ablest men, elected upon
distinct issues thoroughly examined. Why
have the trouble, time and expense of such
extra bodies as the council and conven-
ton, when our Legislature can attend to
the matter just as well ? The small
towns need have no fear. He, for one,
must see a tremendous increase in our
population and the number of our towns
| before he would consent to a district sys-
| TEN of representation, Mr.. Field also
defended his course in casting two votes
| in the council on female suffrage, in reply
to the animadversions of Mr.. Powers.
Mr.. Smith of Tunbridge said he was
satisfied that the late council of censors
had mighty mean opinion of each other,
and he was sure that the people enter
tanned about the same opinion of the coun-
Gil. He discussed the arguments that
had been used by several delegates. He
could see reasons why we should retain
the system of council of censors, for the
very purpose of getting at this system of
biennial sessions sooner than if it is abol-
ished and then when we come to elect
another council and another convention,
we shall take men of this generation. He
should vote against the proposed article
of amendment.
Mr.. Kellogg of Benson again addressed
the committee, mainly on the subject of
the power of the Legislature to propose
amendments to the constitution, urging
about the same arguments as in the pre-
vious remarks.
Mr.. Slade moved the committee rise,
report progress and ask leave to sit again !;
agreed to.
The chair appointed as committee to
prepare and perpetuate the evidence of
the adoption of the articles of amend
ment, under the resolution of Mr.. Kellogg
of Benson: Mr.. Kellogg of Benson, Mr..
Phelps of Burlington, Mr.. Walton Of
Montpelier.
On motion of Mr.. Drake of Royalton,
adjourned.
EVENING.
Mr.. Kellogg, for the committee ap-
pointed to prepare form and manner of
pvr Pvtuatins and outhoutivating tho
several articles of amendment adopted by
this convention, made report as follows
State Of Vermont, s s:
In convention of the people of this
State, begun and held at Montpelier on
the second Wednesday, being the Sth day
of June, A. ID. 1870, pursuant to an ordi-
nance of the Council of Censors, bearing
date on the 22d day of October, 4. D.
1869.
This convention having had under con-
sideration the articles of amendment to
the constitution of this State proposed by
the Council of Censors and referred to in
eai9 erainance, and having duly deliber-
ated upon the same, nave agreed and
solved, and do hereby agree, ordain and
resolve, that the article numbered two,
and the article numbered - of the said
articles of amendment so proposed as
aforesaid, be, and the same are, hereby
adopted as a part of the constitution of
this State; which said articles so adopted
as aforesaid are in the words following,
viz:
ARTICLE II.
Sec /. The General Assembly shall meet on
the first Wednesday Of October, biennially the
first election shall be on the first Tuesday of Sep
tember A. d. 1870; the first session of the Gen
eral Assembly on the first Wednesday of October,
y. d, 1870.
Sec. ?. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor,
Treasurer of the State, Senators, town represent
atves assistant judges of the county court, sher-
ifs, high bailis, States attorneys judges of pro-
bate and justices of the peace shall be elected BIZ
ennially, on the first Tuesday of September, in
the manner prescribed by the constitution of the
State.
Sec. 5. The term of office of the Governor,
Lieutenant Governor and Treasurer of the State,
respectively, shall commence when they shall be
chosen and qualified, and shall continue for the
term of two years, until their successors shall
be chosen aud qualified, or to the adjournment of
the session of the Legislature at which, by the
Constitution and laws, their successors are re-
quired to be chosen, and not after such adjourn
ment.
Sec. /. The term of office of senators and town
on the first Wednesday of October following their
election.
Sec. 5. The term of office of the assistant
judges of the county court, sherfs, high bailiffs
States Attorneys, judges of probate and justices
of the peace, shall be two years, and shall COM
mence on the first day of December next after
their election.
ARTICLE
Proposed for adoption If article taCo is adopted
and article .f0ur is rejected.
The judges of the Supreme Court shall be
elected biennially, and their term of office shall
be two years.
ARTICLE 6.
Sec. l. AT the session of the General Assembly
of this State, a. D. $780, and at the session there
of every tenth year thereafter, the Senate may,
by vote of two-thirds of its members, make pro-
posals of amendment to the Constitution of the
State, which proposals of amendment, if con-
CURED in by a majority of the members
of the House of Representatives, shall
be entered on the journals of the two Houses and
referred tn the General A oua,rII,, 81 -.