Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-12-18
Proposed Amendments to the COnSti-
tuition.

a AUDUSNu AAuCuu I1tutS W tHC NUAISt1
tuition.
Two propositions have been introduced in
the House OF Representatives at Washington,
to amend the Constitution. relative to tie
election of President and Vice President IF
the United States. The one offered by Mr..
Lynch of Maine, covers the same ground as
the one offered by General Banks, as far as
it goes. both proposing to make the election
by = direct vote of the people, General
Btnks' proposition is, also, to extend the
Presidential term to six years and to make
the Preside mt end Vice President Ineligible
to a second term. Both bills retain the
present Constitutions provision for tht
election Of President by the House of Repre-
sentatives, and the election Of Vice Presi-
dent by the Senate, in case Of Do election by
the popular vote.
We believe the Springfield Republican wac
tie FIRST to suggest and advoca = these pro
posed amendments, which it did soon alter
the late Presid, ntiaI election. but the idea
Of a dir, ct vote for the two highest ficers Of
the Nation is by no means q new one, for It
inc 49, ~ ~ ~ ~ III NV 49, ~
and hat indefinite way by those who
believed that the strictly carrying out Of a
democratic form of goVarnnent required it,.
Thus far the country has never suffered by
having the wishes Of the people defeated
through the e ectoral College. and the con-
tingeucy can hardly be anticipated when
such 40 event would be likely 70 occur but
there has been a recent illustration which
points out tile possibility. The votes cast
by the electors elected on the Greeley ticket
are sufficient to demonstrate that IN case
OF the death of a majority candidate, an
event not to be regarded as among Impossi-
bIlitIes, the vote might be concentrated "
on a candidate who would not only disaU-
point the wishes Of the party but defeat -
purposes. We know how disastrously it ha
worked in two or three instance, 5 when tile
Vice President elected upon the same ticket
has been promoted to the PI esit entail Chair.
and though this is a cnntIngeu,y that could
not be warded off by a dIect vote election,
still It serves TO show there is no safety when
the power Of the people To name tie par
ticular man for the particular ofic ceares.
Or IN other words, il the Car, fully selected
Vice President falls short OF the require
ment when be happens to become President,
what might not be appreht nded If the Fec
tOrsl College are compelled to select a new
name, and not only make a cand date but a
president OF one who bias no primary oblig =
tIUns to discharge to the majority OF the
people, which the party electrng lin repre-
sent.
We might analyze the vote Of the Greeley
electors, a. furlher illustration Of this point.
but as it is published in another part of the
paper all can see 1t for themselves, and make
their own application Of it to a poUsslbl,
case alluded TO
But there IRE other and perhaps more i'm
portant reasons than the one suggested, Why
the proposed change will be likely to le
popular with the people. One Of which that
may be famed Is, that it Will do away WITH
the fractional inequality which now necessa
rily enters into tie composition Of the Elect
oral College Ii would now make a dlfe,-
ence with Vermont whether her delegation
in Congress. which governs the number u
her electoral votes, stood FIVE or tour, bu
with q direct vote tor President it would
make no d ference. There is a dlslranchis-
ing element in the present system that would
entirely be eradicated by every voter carry
ing upon his ballot the names to be Counted
a. his choice for President and Vice Presl
dent lie would ieeI then, after he had de-
posted his ballot, that he had actually votes
for his candidates, and not that he had N
vested bis vote 10 a general pool, to be rated
at a per cent greater or less, according to the
size OF the fraction, which volts with on
relative representation. A candidate may
receive a large u ajorIty of the electoral wore
and a minority OF the Popular vJte under
the present system. 1t has already occurrei
In more than one instance, and IS liable t.
again.
As to the one term and ak years PROPOSE
ton. t C matter is worthy OF careful consid-
Grafton, and the people will not be SO likely
TO adopt it at first sight, as they will tic
"dIrect vote" IL is thought by some thai
many of the frauds and Irregularities thai
find their way into a presidential cam paign
NOlAO NV aBpCdAf nCAC IL uudlttIdDiN uAC'l
beforehand that the succession wouli fall
upon a new man. BIT we apprehend that
so far as the place-men are concerned It would
make but little difference. With the knowl
edge that a new candidate must be brought
forward and elected, they would work a.
Bealously aud as unscrurulously. if any even
work in that way, for the Coming man: =
as il would be their only chance, and tuen.
if the succession proved to their drsadvIn-
tage they would have the consolation Of
knowing that restoration :" is not the only
thing that ''disaPpOiuts the loyal" But W.
had no intention OF discussing or even ex-
pressing an opinion upln this branch Of til,
proposed Constitutional anne dnent, at thi-
time, and will therefore await the further
pr 'gress of the bill In COngr,s So, before more
fully writing out our views on this PROPOSE
ton.
SCHULTZ COLFAx AND THE TRIBUNE-The
report that Vice President Culfax has ben
nHaraH and aoaapfa1 fbo EI-