Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-01-06
THE COMMISSION ON CONsTITU-
TIONAL AMENDMENTS.

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TIONAL AMENDMENTS.
We showed 4 short time ago that New
York. which has a method Of amend
ing It's fundamental law somewhat SINH
lar To our own. between constitutional
conventions held every ten years. with
the exception OF our decennial time
lock, was seriously considering the
adoption Of some me,aod which would
help to simplify matters.
The commission appointed by Gov
ernor Prouty to consider various mat
tiers in connection with the deccnniai
Amendment OF our Constitution will
shortly publish Its report, and 1t may
be helpful at this time TO consider var
ious facts preparatory to that event.
In the frst place It is to be noted that
the members OF the commission are
taken from different walks of life In DIFF
ferent sections Of the state, and it would
be difficult matter to pick commits
sion hettor adapted to the representation
Of the sentiment CT tho people in this
connection than that chosen for this
present task.
The commission Is composed Of the
Hon F. C. Partridge. former minister
to Venezuela, Editor Frank l.. Greene
Of the ST. Adams Messenger. the Hon.
Allen NJ. Fletcher OF Cavendish, who
has served in no less than four Legis-
latures. including one term as senator.
former Representative Willis ". Cady of
Middlebury. who Ia a sterling rcpresen-
tative Of vermont's agricultural inter-
ests, and Representative NJ. G. Leary
of Burlington, who Is n promising men,
Der Of the Vermont democracy.
IN providing for a change in the fund
amental law OF a State or nation. 1t must
always be horne In mind that there are
two dangers to be avoided, and one Is
the possibility that amendments may
that the instrument may be so hedged
about as to render really desirable
changes a practical mpossibility more
than once or twice in a generation.
According to Vermonts fundamental
law constitutional changes can be eff
cially proposed to the people only once
in ten years. AS matter of fact. how
ever. the time required for change is
almost fifteen years from the termna
ton Of the preceding decennial period
The Vermont Senate Is authorized to
propose amendments by two thirds
vote, and II the House Of Representa-
tives. concuis. by majority vote, the
amendments are published in the press
and referred to the next Legislature.
After this delay Of two years. the
amendments are again taken up by the
Legislature, and II the Senate and the
House OF Representa- tives again concur,
the amendments are submitted to the
peopls for ratification at the polls. If
the amendment. receive a majority OF
the votes cast on the question they be-
come a part of the constitution
1t Is to be noted in this connection
that II the Legislature held in Il de-
stitution in any way our fundamental
law remains unchanged for a period OF
twenty years. or practically genera
tio1. This may not be wholly unmix.
cd evil but the question is whether
there should not be some means OF max
ins = change in an emergency.
The commission which is to make sug-
sestions in connection with the possible
amendment OF the constitution was APP
pointed under a law enacted In 1906
which provided among other things that
the Governor appoint a commission OF
1--WE, two of whom should be members
Of tho bar to prepare ard present tc
the next session of the General Assem-
bly,, the commission to receive no com
pensation for services or expenses. In
other words the body was made purely
honorary. although the work Is OF tho
most important character.
| 1t was also provided that the COM
mission make public their proposals Of
amendment on or before June l. TIL,
commission will make public Its repor
this week. however. and will thus at
ford the people ample opportunity tt
discuss any amendments suggested sc
that when tho Legislature meets mex
| October, It will not be necessary t.
guess what the people want in that con
nection.