Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-03-11


with the task Of changing the fundamen-
tai law OF Vermont.
The towns in Vermont were chartered
and organized as such under New Hamp-
shire and New York authority years be
fore Vermont existed as state. Wnen
they finally came together to frame
state constitution, it was plainly LAID
down in the articles of association that
each town should be represented in the
House of Representatives by one member
stforever." On no other basis could the
state have been organized. Having en-
tered under u perpetual assurance Of this
right, it is open to question whether any
amendment made in the ordinary way
could force them to give up the right
thus declared unto them. Unless every
town should freely record itself in favor
OF the surrender by majority vote OF all
its citizens "a condition inconceivahle-
we have grave doubt whether a constitu-
tionaI amendment taking away a towns
legislative unit would be sustained By the
courts.
Then consider the labyrinth through
which such q proposition must pass and
the unlikelihood OF its ever emerging. Sup
pose the amendment to be proposed by
the Senate OF 1sl0-which is one of the
ten-year periods when the people are per-
mitted to even look at the constitution
with an idea OF altering it. The Senate
must pass the amendment by two
thirds vote and the House by q majority
vote. That done, the thing sits over two
years for every body to null on. Then
the next legislature must approve by q
majority vote in each house. After that
it must go to the people and be ratified
by q majority vote at the polls. 1t will
be conceded that only such changes as are
urgently favored by great majority Of
Legislators individually, or acting under
instructions that they dare not disregard,
as well as by clear majority of the free
men of the state, can ever safely travel
this maze.
Aud what present indication is there
that the small towns, which must yield
their strength in case Of such q change,
are likely to take the step necessary to
their own extinguishment Is it seen in
the fast growing realization on their part
that they possess a tremendous advantage
over the large and rich towns and can
make the latter pay tribute7 Are they
likely to commit hari-kari in his way
when there is so much for them to live
for7 No, that idea must be abandoned
outright. No change will come by this
means.
How, then, can pressure be applied
how can the little towns be coerced into
doing that which they manifestIy will
never do unless compelled to- One way
is open, but even that may not prove
} effective-it has not, even recently. The
Republican party might declare for the
change in Legislative representation. As
the state convention is . representative
/ body, wherein the large towns have
strength corresponding in a measure to
I NuelE SIZE TINS might not De Qimcult OF
! accomplishment. Then We should see
whether the representatives would obey
party platforms or the viii OF their con-
stituencies, certain to be contrary, on this
: point.
: There is still another way, radical, but
perhaps within the realm OF possibility,
by which district representation could be
5 secured. The legislature has the right to
e alter town lines, to create towns and per.
? haps to extinguish them altogether BY
annexing them to other towns. Under
present conditions, it is always 3 very
, difficult matter to set OF q part Of one
town to another even when manifestly
desirable. self-protection favors the sta
tus quo. As matter OF public policy
the situation may sometime change, how.
ever, in this respect, and poor, heavily
burdened back towns may be united with
stronger neighbors, in which case Their.
would result a measure OF the represents
tion by popular strength and . reduction
!. in House membership that so many de
sire, but despair OF seeing.