News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-08-31
Constitutional Amendments that
the Legislature will Graphic at
the Coming Session.

| the Legislature Will GEdpRf0 d
the Coming Session.
At the last session of the Legisla
ture, six proposed amendments to the
Constitution of Vermont were consid
cred, and acted on favorably; and a
the coming session they will again bt
presented, and if adopted by boil
Houses, they will then be submitted
to popular vote.
The first of the amendments con,
fers upon the Governor the power tc
remit fines and forfeitures, and tc
grant reprieves, combinations and
pardons after conviction for all of
lenses, except treason and cases OF
impeachment, upon such conditions
and with such restrictions and limita-
tons as he may think proper, sub
ject to such regulations as may be
provided by law, relative to the man
ner of applying thereof; but it goes
on to provide that sin cases OF CON
yiotion Of murder, no pardon shall be
granted, nor sentence committed, ex-
cept upon the recommendation in
writing of board consisting of the
Northumberland, Secretary of the
State, and three assistant judges of
the Supreme Court appointed by the
chief judge, or any four of such board
after full hearing upon due public
notice and in open session, and such
recommendation with the reasons
thereof at length shall be recorded
and filed in the office of the Secretary
of State. Upon conviction of treas
on he shall have power to suspend the
execution of the sentence until the
case shall be reported to the General
Assembly, which shall either pardon,
commute or direct the execution of
the sentence or grant further reprieve.
He shall biennially report to the Gen
eral Assembly each case of reprieve,
Communication or pardon granted, stat
ing the name OF the convict, the
crime of which he was convicted, the
sentence and its date, and the date of
the pardon, Communication or reprieve.
The second amendment prescribes
the following oath to be taken by
members of the Legislature, "You,
--, do solemuly swear Tor afflrm)
that you did not at the time of your
election to this body, and that you do
not now hold any office of profit or
trust under the authority Of Congress,
so help you God, lor,in case of affirm
ation) under the pains and penalties
of perjury" 1t also defines the words
"otfice Of profit or trust under the
authority of Congress-, as any Office
created directly or indirectly by Con-
gress, and for which emolument is
provided from the treasury of the
United States"
The third amendment provides for
Constitutional prohibition" 1t is as
follows 1.-The manufacture and sale
of Intoxicating liquors other than CT
der and wine made from the fruits Of
this state, shall be and are hereby for
ever prohibited, except for medical
purposes /; and the sale Of cider and
wine made as aforesaid shall be so
regulated and restrained as to prevent
drunkenness, papperism and crime"
The fourth amendment provides
that the Secretary of State and Audi
tor of Accounts shall be elected by
the freemen of the State, upon the
same ticket with the Governor, Lieu
tenant=Governor and Treasurer.
The fifth provides that whenever
any vacancy shall occur, from any
cause, in the Senate or House of Rep
resentatives, the Governor may order
a new election to fill such vacancy;
and the sixth is: 1.-The Legislature
shall have no power to authorize
Town to pledge its credit, or to create
any debt in aid of railroads."
Some of the amendments are of
considerable Importance; some are
not, Some are desirable others are
quite the reverse.-Free Press.