The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-12-16
Senators and the Constitutional Time
Lock

LOCK
Those members of the Vermont
Senate who have become inextricably
associated in the public mind with the
perpetuation of the ancient time-lock
on the Anticipated State constitution
ere receiving no end of attention
from the different Vermont newspa-
pers. Senator Smith of Chittenden
has thus far escaped chastising for
dropping away from the other sena-
tors from this county In fulfilling the
pledges of the Republican party, APP
parently in the hope that he may see
the error of his way before it is too
late and move to reconsider the vote.
1t is safe to say that If Senator Smith
had stated In advance Of his nomina-
ton that he did not favor the amend
ments of the constitution which the
state convention pledged the party to
support, he would not have been the
nominee of the party from the north
side of the Winooski river, and 1t Is
still possible for him to keep faith
with the party as well as TO do II a
genuine service by moving 10 recon
slider
The Brattleboro Reformer discusses
the course adopted by Senator Butler
OF Wlndham county who broke away
from his fellow senator Of that county
as follows
How does Senator Z. NJ. Butler
Justify his action In voting against
giving the people OF the state the
right to pass upon the proposal to
remove the time.lock from the oonsti-
tuition? Does he pretend to know
that the people whom he represents
are in favor Of retaining the clause
which makes II impossible to propose
amendments to the constitution often
er than once in 10 years? Or does
he consider himself better qualified
to say what the state shall have In
the way OF constitutional amendments
than the people themselves? In vot-
ing against this particular proposal
Senator Butler does not merely ex-
press his dlsapproval OF IT, he goes
further and expresses his disapproval
OF allowing his constituents TO be
heard on the subject Senator Ad-
ans, although legislator of far more
experience, takes no such dictatorial
position"
The Rutland News expresses It's
surprise and other mingled feelings
upon the subject In the following sug-
gestive way
1T passes the comprehension OF
the average citizen as to why the
Vermont senate should refuse to sub
NIT TO the people of Vermont the pro-
posed amendment to the state consti-
tuition doing away with the ten-year
'time.lock on such constitution. Are
the nine senators, who voted against
this proposed amendment, disposed TO
say to the people OF Vermont: Our
wisdom is greater than yours, you
shall not be permitted to express an
opinion upon this matter. That is
the way II looks at the present mo
ment. Il Is an indefensible position
for nine senators OF the State OF Yer.
mont to occupy. Let the people at
large vote on the question
Under the head OF Ten Mighty Sen
ators" the Brattleboro Phoenix makes
the following sizzling comment:
"The Republican senators at Mont
peller have repudlated the pledges OF
both political parties and have voted
I'm favor OF keeping the cumbersome
time.lock on the state constitution. a
l two.thlrds vote was necessary for the
adoption OF the proposal and II was
rejected BY narrow margin, l6 SEN
ators voting in favor OF the change
and ten senator's being recorded In
the negative, according TO our legia.
iatiye report. The proposal provided
that the Senate at any session might,
by a majority vote OF It's members,
make proposals Of amendment to the
constltution. This would allow propo-
sails 10 bo presented as contingencies
arose instead OF requiring the state
TO wait 10 years no matter how press
ing the desired changes might be.
Under the plan proposed changes
could not be made except after consid-
Grafton by two legislatures and ac-
ceptance by the people. These 10
senators In addition TO trampling the
PARTY platform under foot. have vlr.
tually said that the people are not to