The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-09-22
The Platform


party meant it to say. and mean what
It said, as well, but since the platform
was actually adopted the matter ap-
pears to have dropped from attention.
The Montpelier Journal ever faithful.
to be sure, exhoTts the members-elect
of the legislature to read over the
platform familiarize themselves with
its pledges, and be prepared TO stand
by them as lawmakers and redeem
the party's faith. The Burlington
Free Press follows In similar vein.
But elsewhere the silence can BE-
heard
And here We are with legislators
all elected and expecting to take their
seats in the capitol within three
weeksl How many Of these men
does the reader suppose, can tell of
hand Just what the party pledged it.
self to do in that platform? How
many would be very sure Of what the
party expects of them II they found
themselves in the clutches Of the lob
by tomorrow without any more prep
aration than they have made already?
How many Of them will even take the
pains to read that platform over be
fore they go to MONTPELIER and fam
iliarze themselves with the party pol
icies there outlined?.
This is not assuming for one mo
ment that the majority of men elect
ed to the Vermont legislature are
either ignorant or irresponsible in
this matter but II is assuming thai
fhn
the average man among their constit-
uents has hardly given the matter a
second thought since the day of the
state convention That's the charac-
teristic Of the easy-going human ma
ture In public servants that political
organizations that give them their Of
free and opportunity are up agains,
when they undertake to keep faith
with the voters. Then when cam
paign promises are not kept the pub
lie cries bad faith.
| There Is none too much time re-.
naming in which to refresh the mem
DRY Of these lawmakers-elect about
the planks Of the platform that con.
Germ state matters. The Messenger
for one newspaper. will be glad to en-
ploy that time in bringing these cam.
paign promises to attention once
more and emphasizing the impor.
! lance of keeping them in all good
faith as party men, as lawmakers,
and as citizens.
The first state issue plank. for in
stance. concerned the amendment Of
the constitution and read as follows:
while the organic law of the
state should not be lightly varied but
above all statutes should be stable
and certain, we are convinced that
the time has come when hands should
be reverently laid upon the constitu-
iion Of Vermont and certain changes
made in rs provisions that they may
more clearly define our political lib
critics and the obligations they en-
tail upon u.s. We, therefore com
mend 10 the general assembly of 1910
the renort Of the commission created
by authority OF the general assembly
of 1908 to propose amendments TO the
constitution Of Vermont, and endorse
and approve rs several recommends
tons for amendments. We cannot
too earnestly urge upon the people OF
this state and their representatives in
| the legislature our unqualified belief
that the amendment OF the ocnstitu-
! ton In these particulars Is the most
grave and responsible duty that is
likely to confront the lawmakers at
the coming session and one that is on
no account 10 be put aside"
Briefly stated. the several proposals
OF amendment made by the commits
sion are
Removal Of the time lock. so that
proposals Of amendment may be
made by the senate at any session Of
the general assembly
Requiring two-thlrds vote OF both
houses of the legislature to pass a
bill over the governors veto instead
OF a majority vote as now.
Fixing the date for biennial meet
ing OF general Assembly on FIRST We'd
nesday after the first Monday OF Jan
uary; fixing date for biennial state
election on the first Tuesday next AZ.
ter the first Monday Of November. the
same as federal elections; and fixing
terms Of various state officers TO cor
resuond to this change
AhAlNN AWAY liuW me f'ANldiWIf
the power TO commute. remit or NIT
igate sentences for felony and muir.
der.
Requiring the demand OF two sen
ators or ten representatives for a
call Of the yeas and NAYS on any
question. instead OF one IN either
house. as now.
Making members Of the legislature
during their term ineligible 10 any
ofiicc filled bv the general assembly
cr to an appointment to any civil OF.
fee OF profit which shall have been
created. or the emo'uments Of which
shalt have been increased. during the
term.
Forhldding the granting OF any spe.
cial charter Of Incorporation by the
general assembly. except for such mu'
niCipal. charitable. educational. penal
or reformatory corporations as are 10
be and remain under the patronage
and control OF the state; providing
that the general assembly shall nro.
vide by general laws for the organlza-
ton Of all corporations hereafter 10
be created
Providing for n recodihcation OF the
constitution In order the better Ia
assemble lts various parts for GER
tain information and convenient use
Thus far there appears to be no
serious Onnneition TO these nropOsnls