Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1910-01-07
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL
CHANGES.

Approved commended and recommend
ed for adoption without reservation
should be the finding written by every
citizen of Vermont across the report on
proposed changes in the states constitu-
ton submitted by a special commission
to Gov Prouty. This report was prepared
under authority Of joint resolution
passed by the last legislature, and it will
be submitted to the next legislature for
consideration.
The work Of the commission is admir-
able in every particular and it is evident
that its report was prepared only after
painstaking study and careful delibera-
ton Frank c. Partridge Of Proctor,
Frank L. Greene Of St. Albans, Allen NJ.
Fletcher Of Cavendish, willis N Cady Of
Middebury and Matthew G. Beary Of Bur-
lington have performed a notable service
which will emblazon their names as public
benefactors in the history Of the state IL
the reforms which they have marked out
so lucidly are written into the organic
law OF Vermont. Some students Of pub
lie affai will probably contend that the
commission has not gone far enough. II
is easy to suggest other changes which
they might have recommended, but we
think they have acted wisely in limiting
the field of their endeavors. The few
changes proposed are vital and far-reach-
ing, and they have not endangered the
whole scheme of reform with proposals
which are likely to arouse antagonisms.
Brevity and simplicity are strong features
OF their recommendations.
The next Legislature will have an oppor-
tunity to make history, to start Vermont
in line with the most progressive states
Of the Union in its constitutional govern
ment.
Proposal one which provides that the
senate at any session may by majority vote
Of its members, make proposals Of amend
ment TO the constitution, contemplates
nothing revolutionary. II simply allows
the opportunity for proposals to be pre-
sented as contingencies arise instead Of
requiring the state to wait 10 years no
matter how pressing the desired change
may be. 1t removes the cumbersome
time-lock on the constitution but does
not permit changes to be made except
after consideration by two legislatures
and acceptance by the people.
Proposal two simply aims to give the
governor real veto power.
Proposal three, which contemplates a
state election in November and a legisa-
tive session in February, is common sense,
nothing more or less. 1t is absurd to hold
two general elections within so days, with
all the accompanying expense and con-
fusion. when the same result could be
secured with one election.
Proposal four is designed to expedite
the work Of the Legislature.
In plain language proposal five is de-
signed to keep the legislature from but
ting into a matter which is purely court
/ business. The legislature ought not to
| "untry" murder cases.
Proposal six is sound in every way,
! will do no harm, and win prevent scandals
in the elections which take place in the
! general assembly.
| Proposal seven plans to bring the char
! ters of corporations under a general law
| instead Of passing out special privileges
| TO particular corporations.
Proposal eight contemplates putting the
| constitution in such a condition that It
| can be understood by a man of ordinary
| intelligence, instead Of having one pro-
/ vision conflict with another, so that only
a skilled lawyer can tell what the law
really is
In a few words we have tried to out
| line the objects Of the proposals, but a
better understanding will be obtained by
reading the commissions report in full,
which will be found on page OF this
paper
| The opportunity for Vermont to make
a great advance is presented. It will be
up to the next legislature to accept the
/ proposals, for the subsequent legislature
| to concur in them, and then for the
! people to accept them The next legs-
! lature should blaze the way where the
| commission has cast the light. That is
the first important step.