The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-02-11
A INDUSTRIOUS DOCTRINE.

The Burlington Clipper, in commenting
on the refusal of the governor TO convene
the general assembly in special session,
says SIN these times, and in all times,
4" it is the duty of the executive of state
T" to exercise some independence, and even
exceed the limit of his authority ."
and then goes on to illustrate its meaning,
by saying that if Governor Peck had di.
rected the trustees of the reform school to
rebuild at once at Waterbury, without
awaiting the action of the general assembly,
his course would have been "fully en-
dorsed' by the people and so, now, if
he should "drsw his orders for reasonable
amount" on the state treasurer, for CEN
tennial purposes, "the people of Vermont
would approve and heartily endorse his
faction
The doctrine thus advocated, if we I'M
derstand it, is simply this (: That Sin all
times"-and especially in "these times"
of profound peace and with no emergency
seeming to justify the exercise of even
doubtful powers-it is the right and duty
of the governor, to disregard the strict let
ter as well as the spirit of the constitution,
to trample the laws under foot, and to vi
oate his oath of office-that is, to commit
perjury. 1t goes even further than this.
1t holds it to be the right and duty of the
governor, not only to do all this himself,
but to direct other state officers to JOIN him
in his crime, and that it is their duty to set
the laws and their own official oaths at de-
fiance at his bidding. We know not when
save, perhaps, in some of the southern
states during the days of the rebellion-so
monstrous doctrine has been as distinctly
avowed and so explicitly stated. For the
honor of Vermont and Vermonters, we
trust, we believe, that few can be found in
this state to stand on so dangerous plat
form.
So far from the probability being that
the people of the state would have "fully
endorsed the action of the governor in
directing the rebuilding the reform school
building at Waterbury, without awaiting an
appropriation, the facts are all against it.
The governor, having due regard for his
official oath, and for the constitution and
laws which he had sworn to truly and
faithfully maintain, support and execute,
convened the representatives of the people
to act upon the question of rebuilding
And the people of the state, by their repre-
sentatives, refused TO allow of the rebuild
ing of the reform school buildings at
Waterbury, and refused 10 appropriate a
cent for that purpose but they did direct
their rebuilding at Vergennes and made an
appropriation for that purpose. 1t is bare
ypossible that ii the governor had directed
the rebuilding at Waterbury, the leRisla-
ture might have winked at his usurpation
and neglected to have impeached him, but
that they would have "fully endorsed" his
unwarrantable, illegal and unconstitutional
act, we do not for moment believe. d,
AS much as we regret the refusal OF
Governor Peck to convene special ses-
sion of the general assembly, as firmly as
we believe that he acted from mistaken,
though honest, sense of duty, and as much
as we are persuaded that the general as
sembly would, If convened, have made an
ample appropriation for centennial pur.
poses, we do not believe than any circum.
stances would justify the governor in
drawing an order on the state treasurer fol
that purpose, nor, if he did, that "the PEG
"ple of Vermont would approve and heart
Sly endorse his action" We have no fear
however, that he ever contemplated suct
action, OF that he could be urged to sucl
course. Neither do we believe that, 1
he was weak enough to be persuaded into
such unwarrantable action, John A. Pag'
would betray the confidence of the people
break down the guards thrown around thu
treasury, and pay any such order so lille
gally drawn on him. On the contrary, w
believe that he would, as it would be hi
duty, treat such; warrants or orders Al
mere waste-paper.