The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-05-05
Brrmont 6Uattllntaa.
AN IMPORTANT DUTY.

II is to Dr. hoped that during the
next few nlonths the voters of Ver-
mont will read carefully and consider
thoughtfuily the report of the COM
mission appointed to formulate pro-
posals of amendment to the constitu
ton of Vermont The amendments
proposed have been published in the
newspapers of the State and the re-
port of the commission has been pub
Jished in pamphlet form. Every eff
fort possible to disseminate informa-
ton has been made and if citizens
remain ignorant of the proposed
changes the fault is their own.
We elect State officers every two
years, but we change our constitution
very seldom, therefore we should not
permit political excitement-of which
there is little indication at present
to divert out attention from the larger
duty of weighing judicially the pro-
posed changes in the historic docu-
ment framed by the Fathers during
the stirring period of the American
Revolution
The Journal believes that every
one of the changes proposed would
DE beneficial and that the best inter-
ests of the State imperatively demands
the adoption of most of them. 1t is
difficult to see how any person who
believes in popular f-government,
and recognizes the necessity of occa-
sional changes in governmental meth
DDS growing out of new conditions,
can oppose the repeal of the time
lock clause.
If we are to recognize the wisdom
of giving our Governor a veto-as
other States have recognized the fact
let us no longer insult him by Civ
ing him the shadow rather than the
substance of power. We are not ac-
customed to elect Governors who
would abuse a real veto and we are
not likely to lower our standard if
larger responsibility is imposed
The holding of two elections during
every year of a Presidential election
is a waste of time and money, when
one election would serve every pur-
ing the date of legislative sessions to
the early part of January when most
Legislatures meet. This is a better
season for farmers than the autumn,
ho
essary, more business should be ac-
complished in given time.
AS the Legislature is in no sense
judicial body, it is not competent
to pass upon the proposal of commute
ing the sentence of a convicted muir
derer and its time should not be de-
voted to such purposes. The tendency
on the part of the General Assembly
to elect its members to offices, either
created by or within the gift of that
body, has givn rise at times to severe
criticism, and the proposal to make
such election illegal is in the inter-
est of good government.
There is no reason why the time
of Legislators should be devoted to in
cooperating cemetery or creamery as
socations, or any other corporate
body, and provisions looking to gen
eral laws governing such cases viii
be saving of time and sensible
method OF procedure.
Our State constitution has not been
amended for many years. The need
has long been recognized, but through
neglect or procrastination no serious
attempt has been made to deal with
changed conditions Now the prelm-
mary steps have been taken, and un
less the proposed amendments are
advanced no changes can be made
for another decade. The whole sub
ject has been considered carefully
and periodically by a commission
particularly well qualified to deal witt
such an important matter. The press
of the State is nearly unanimous in
supporting the report OF the commits.
sion
No legitimate opportunity to advance
these reforms should be neglected
One of the methods by which aid car
be rendered is a hearty endorsement
in the Republican platform. The en-
dorsement of county conventions
would also be helpful, tending to in
struct members of the State Senate
to support the proposed revision. Blu
whether we approve or disapproy'
we should know just what we are ask
ed to do. Then being prepared to ac
intelligently, we can proceed to dea
with the subject according to the die
tates of our best judgment. lgnoranc,
and prejudice are the foes most to b,
dreaded.