The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-01-05
Constitutional Changes


AS is generally known an opportu-
nifty will come before the next Sen
ate to propose changes to the con-
stitution of the state of Vermont. The
matter has been given some atten-
ton in the state press and the gov
ernor of Vermont acting under res
olution passed by the last Legislature
has appointed a commission to inves-
tigate the subject and report recon-
mendations. This commission has
been at work and it is expected will
make its report public sometime In
January. 1t would seem wise there
fore to postpone general discussion
of the matter until the report is re-
ceived
The Groton Times in its last issue
seems to think that any change be-
yond the removing the time lock
should be discOuntenanced. We can
hardly agree with its position. I'm
der present conditions the method of
change is as follows: once in ten
years the senate may by a two-thirds
vote of its members, make proposals
of amendment to the constitution.
which proposals of amendment, if
concurred in by a majority of the
members Of the house of representa-
tiyes. shall be entered on the jour
nails of the two houses, and referred
to the General Assembly then next
to be chosen, and published in the
principal newspapers in the state;
and if a majority of the members Of
the senate and house of representa-
tives of the next following General
Assembly shall concur in the same
proposals of amendment or any part
of them ii shall be the duty OF the
General Assembly to submit the pro
posals of amendment so concurred
in to direct vote of the freemen of
the state; and such of said proposals
of amendment as shall receive a ma
jority of the votes of the freemen vot-
ing thereon shall become a part of
the constitution of this state.
No one would countenance any
sudden or frequent changes in the
fundamental law of the state but it
would seem wise to remove the ten
year time lock so at any biennial
session of the legislature changes
may be proposed subject to present
restrictions and at the end of three
years become effective.
One other change that should re-
ceive careful attention is giving the
governor real veto power Further
he should be given the same power
as the governor of New York to veto
parts of a bill without yetoing the
whole bill With this power the gov
enor of New York has been able to
strike out certain appropriations in
a bill without destroying the general
purpose of the bill. At the last SEES
sion of the New York legislature Gov
Hughes struck out appropriations
that saved the state an immense
amount of money and at the same
time did not obstruct worthy under.
takings the state was engaged in. A
candidate for governor in Vermont
today must stand for certain legisla
| tive reforms. He must promise to
| do all he can to secure the enactment
of laws to accomplish these reforms
but after election he mas no power
to redeem his promises. SO under
present conditions no party or organ
ization can go before the people on
an issue and give assurance its plat
form will be carried into effect. This
has done much to discredt parties
that were honest in their purpose. II
has also hindered some progressive
legislation that was really needed
Discussions Of other matters viii
be deferred until the report of The
commission is received but no harm
can come from serious consideration
of these subjects from now until the
legislature meets. One other thlnl
that would be desirable would BE-
some plan by which the main fact.
OF the commissions report could b.
published in every newspaper in The
state of Vermont This would Civ,
the public an opportunity to form al
| intelligent opinion upon an importan
issue.--St. Johnsbury Caledonian.