Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-09-01
REPRESENTATION BY TOWNS.
(FrOm the Rutland IIeraldO

(From the Rutland ITerald)
one of the most radical points of de-
parture by the Vermont constitution of
1T7S from IT'S model. the Pennsylvania
constitution of 177G, was in tho matter of
Legislative representation.
William PENIS frame of government
of 1852, pcrpetuatcd by Benjamin Frank
Inns constitution of 177G, provided that the
provisional council was to consist of per-
sons of most not for wisdom, virtue and
ability"
BY the Vermont frame the House of
Representatives was to consist Of persons
most noted for wisdom and virtue" to
be chosen annually by the freemen Of
the several towns. Two representatives,
We're assigned to each town having so
taxable Inhabitants for the seven years
Immediately succeeding the establishment
of the constitution; all other Inhabited
towns were entitled to one each.
After the seven years had elapsed, all
inhabited towns were entitled to but one
representative. During the seven year
period some towns having the right to
two representatives hit upon a scheme Of
choice whereby but one representative
would attend a session at time; thus
the necessary number for a quorum WIS
Increased. This was two-thirds Of the
whole number elected. To obvate any
difficulties arising out of the non-attend
ance, the Legislature passed an act In
1871 recommending to such towns to eject
no more representatives in future than
they meant and intended to havo con-
stantly attend the Assembly; how we'll
the outlying electors have guarded their
constitutional right. tho States history
will attest. And their eyes to the main
chance were not blinded when they drop
ped section II providing that full legisla-
tive power be given to two-thirds of the
members of the towns that elected and
sent representatives.. provided they We're
a majority of the inhabited towns of the
State.
In 1920 the State censors gra ppled with
the subject Of unequal representation IN
proportion to the population. According
ly, taking advantage of the equlblo state
of the popular mind and the judicial tenn
per they thought they recognized. they
proposed among other articles of amend
ment, one providing that representation
should he apportioned among the coun-
ties according to population and upon a
ratio that would greatly reduce the num-
Der of representatives. 1t Is significant
that thus early the crying evil Of Yer
mont's system was felt and an attempt
made to remedy Il.
This amendment shared tho fate Of It's
fellows and the censors' recommendation
went for nothing.
Again In 1855 tho censors proposed many
important amendments. but to emphasize
their convictions to representation, they
caused TIE ordinance calling a constitu-
tional convention in 1857 TO limit the num-
Der of delegates to 90 and to apportion
to the several counties. Up to this time
constitutional conventions had always
been called to consist Of one delegate
from each town: this convention there
fore. declined to consider the amend
ments on their merits and passed a reso-
luton to the effect that the censors had
exceeded their powers, Apparently. tho
plan of representation by towns In Yer
mont owes It's origin 10 tho New England
town autonomy doctrine.
New Hampshire's provincial Congress
In 1873 expressly resolving the asseInblage
into House OF Representatives for the
colony OF New Hampshire chose IL per-
sons III council or distinct legislative
branch, these were divided UP among the
counties instead OF towns. Yet the con-
stitution ratified in 1854 provided that
every town having $50 ratable polls was
to he entitled to one representative and
one additional for every 300 polls above
that number; towns with less than 10
polls We're to be classed
In 1876 an amendment provided that
every town or place entitled to town
privileges and wards OF cities having
GOO Inhabitants, was to be given ono rep
| resentative; having 1880, two representa-
tives; and one additional for every In
creasing number OF 1920. Towns OF less
than 600 were to be classed. In 1889 the
representation OF classed towns was
changed In some unimportant particulars.
Enough has been adduced to indicate
how difficult It has been In our neighbour
ing State 20 strike off tho shackles OF
town autonomy, though tho modified sys-
tenn prevailing there Is not SO drastic as
our own.
In the last Vermont Rubernatorial cleo
ton, 10 towns polled less than GO votes
each. or these the highest was the town
OF Goshen. polling RI votes. The towns of
Glastonbury and baltimore each polled II
votes; Somerset. 3. The board of censors
was abolished as n distinctly unpopular
body, yet they saw their duty when they
made their fight. Intellectual though 1t
was against representation by towns.