Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-12-19
8utland 9ailn 4erald.
THE RUTLAND HERALD
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1872.
Nove, constitutional Amendments.

P Novel Constitutional Amendments.
The subject of 80 amending the CON
stitution of the United States As to
simplify our elections of President is at
tracing the attention of the whole
country, and is being widely and care
fully discussed and considered by the
press and people. 1t is well understood
by every one. at all conversant with our
national history, Shat this question occu-
pied more of the time and attention Of
Nthe convention that framed the cOusti-
tuition, than almost any other subject
The plan, as finally adopted, was agreed
upon as a compromise, and was finally
carried, if we remember correctly, by a
majority of one State only. Since that
fme the constitution has been amended
b. varlous particulars, and other propos-
iions seeking further changes have
failed. We propose. at this time. 10
call the attention of our readers to a pro-
~. ,qosed amendment suggested, AMI ap-
proved of by several of our most emf
nent men, but of which cur current and
standard histories are entirely silent. We
awe before us an old and, probably,
,ong forgotten pamphlet, from which
we condense the proposed amendments,
and the reasons adduced in support
thereof
Hon. James Hillhouse, then Senator
from Connecticut. on the 18th day Of
April, 1908, submitted to the Senate &
joilt resolution to amend the constitu-
tion in regard to choosing the President
and Vice President of the United States.
and Senators and Representatives in
Congress. 1t provides that after th''
thirl day of March, 1913, that the
House of Representatives shall consist
of members chosen, by the several
States, annuity. The Senate to con i~t
of one member from each State. to hr
chosen for Il term OF three years; one
third to be elected each year, and their
,ern of service to expire on the first
tuesday of April On the third day OF
An March, 1918, the President shall be Sc
,octea. and hold Office until the eXpira
t;ou of one year from the succeeding
X first Tuesday. of April, and thercatte
shall be selected annuaUy, ON the frs
Tnesday of April The mode of ap
pointment to be as follows: In tn
presence of the Senate and House of Re
representatives., each Senator belonging t,
the class whose term of service will frs
expire, and constitutionally eligible f
the office of President, of which tn
House Of Representatives shall he TN
sole Judges, and shall decide without de
bate, shall, beginning with the first ol
the alphabet, and in their Alphabetical
order draw ball out of a box contain
inc the same numberof uniform balls n
there shall he Senators present AM
eligible, one of which balls shall be co!
ored, the others white. The Senate
who draws the colored ball shall b
preoident." Vacancies to betilled in tn
same way. and the "Speaker Of tn
Senate" to be acting President unit
such vacancy is filled. The salary
fixed at fifteen thousand dollars a year
and the office of Vice President ahol
fshed. The remainder of the propose'
amendments provide for the appoint
ment and removal of officers, substan
tiaIly in accordance with the "tenure o
office act" except that the House of Re
presentatives, as well as the Senate
must concur in the appointment and re
moval but, in minor officers Congress
may confer the power of appointment
and removal on the President alone, O
on the President and Senate.
The joint resolutions were seconded
by William H. Crawford, of Georgia
afterward Secretary of the Treasury
and one of the wisest and purcst states
men the country has ever produced
Mr.. Hillhouse supported bis proposition
with long, labOred and able argument
which is too long for us to give even al
abstrct thereof, but his reasons. whiCl
were twelve in number, are summarize,
as follows: That it would make th
Senate more respectable. 1t would bc
prompt and certain. 1t would avoid tht
evils of disputed election, now unpro
yided for by the constitution. 1t woull
avoid intrigue and cabal. 1t would givC
talents and modest merit an equa
chance. 1t would be economical. L
would give the people President OF th'
United States, and not the chief of {
party. 1t would remove temptation t.
Use power otherwise than for public
good. 1t would annihilate genera
party pervading the whole United States.
Ii would remove direct, powerful and
dangerous influence of the general gov
eminent on the individual States. II
would prevent the influence of a presi-
Dental election on our domestic concerns
and foreign relations. And it would
secure the United States against the
usurpation Of power, and every attempt,
through fear, interest or corruption, to
sacrifice their interest, honor or indepen-
dence; for one year would be too short
time in which to contrive and execute
any extensive and dangerous plan of sun-
\ principled ambition; and the same per-
aon could not be President during two
successive years
These proposed amendments may well
N provoke smile at this time, yet upon
their presentation, and years afterwards,
tney received the sanction and approval
n ot some of our wisest and most expert