Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-11-29

There seems TO be an apparent DISPOSE
ton Of the towns in Vermont whether
large or small, to go TO the Legislature, ask
ing division, and TO be established into
two separate corporations. This is indicat-
ed by the bill pending before the legisla-
ture for Il separation of the town of West
minister into two townships. We know
nothing of the merits of this case or the
causes which have led to the application.
But il is question which has a more than
local interest, and in fact is public not a
private measure, which affects the whole
state in several aspects, and raises the iu-
quiry whether it is policy TO create more
towns, or is justice to the towns already in
existence, especially those having larger
population, and whether the precedent es-
tablished in this instance will not ultimate
ly lead to numerous applications for the
same purpose, and prove an injustice If
not injury, to the State at large.
The division OF small towns, creating two
out OF the same territory, gives them addi-
tiOnal voice in legislation. In this instance,
on reference to the statistics Of population,
we find that the present town OF Westmn-
Stti VI loOO-NtH u
vote at the last State election of 229. If the
town should be divided, one town will
probably have a population of about 700
and the other 600, with a suffrage according
to the rule OF about l48 in one township
a nd 100 In the other. 1t seems TO us that
the question forcibly arises, whether Yer
mont has not for Its prosperity small com
m unities enough already without the crea-
ton of more, and whether it is right or
public policy 10 give present population
of 1900 voting power in the Legislature of
the State of two, while Burlington with its
population of nearly 1900 st. Adams, s.
600; st. Johnsbury, 5000; Brattleboro, g.
900; Remington 5000; Springfield, 5000;
Brandon, 1000 and Rutland IL 900 have OH
ly one. This Is to say nothing of the local
voting power 1t would give in Windham
county, in which this town Is located ofim-
portance. If 1t prevail, it will give the
present town two votes in the legislature to
one from Brattleboro, Grafton, Guilford,
Halifax, Jamaica, Londonderry, Newfane,
Putney, Rockingham, Townshend, Whit
ingham aud Wilmington, all of which have
over one thousand inhabitants. Would
tnlS DC euulldDe anu TlbutI linen snOulu
the legislature give two votes TO present
population of enc thousand inhabitants,
while il gives towns having fifteen, eleven,
five aud two thousand inhabitants only one
vote. This Is question OF public policy,
broader and higher the mere local consid-
eralions and ought seriously to arrest the
attention of the members Of the General
Assembly before they act upon measures
which we presume is one of mere local
grievance, growing out Of the conflicts
which always arise in towns having two ri
val villages. Therefore II is a matter OF
moment to the whole state what action may
be taken ON the subject now presented to
them.
The evil is not with the division of thl S
particular town, but others are waiting for
the decision in this case only to put in an
application for division. One instance il
already suggested-the creation of two
towns out of the present limits OF Rocking
ham. There are several in different sec
tions of the State standing in readiness to
present petitions eitherat the present or the
next Legislature, asking for separation,
should the precedent be established at this
session. The question in the light of prec-
ed ent is one of right, for il this is granted,