Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-10-10

though first quarried in 1872, ~ was
produced in large volume until wi
the past twenty years. All KIN
colors exist (excepting red). and rec
~. at Bethel a pure white deposit
been discovered AT Windsor there
quarry Of green syenite, "Windsor gr
granite" The income reported for
was 81, 200, 900, and must have nearly
bled in 1904. These deposits OF iron, sl
marble and granite. - we'll as outer
pings elsewhere, prove that Verm
possesses these natural resources
practically illimitable quantities. Lii
stone. soapstone. tale, manganese. arb
tos, mica. ocher, kaolin and copper
posits Che last named centering
Orange County, and once an extens
Industry, are among the other mine
resources Of the commonwealth.
STATE GOVERNMENT
The form OF government, adopted
lit, succeeding that OF town and
ISOLATED committees of safety, was vt
democratic In character. The legisla q
consisted Of one house, with a town RI
resentaton therein, and these memb1
were elected by the "freemen' Of
State. The executive authority was We
ed In governor, Northumberland
and II councillors one duty of whi
was to review all bills before the repI
sentative body, and suggest amen
ments. prior to their final passage; b
the negative power did not adhere in
governor and council" With the modiN
cations suggested by experience, tn
was the State government until Isl
when the present General Assembly
two houses.-Senate and House of ReprI
sentatives ,-superseded the oripinI
form. The town system of governmeI
and representation in the legislature nd
been continued under the amended col
stitution. The Senate is the populj
body, based upon population by countieI
and consists of 30 members; the houJ
comprising PAS Representatives Of citiJ
and towns. In 1850 county officers wei
first elected by the people: in 1870 the LED
islature changed to biennial terms TN
IA counties in Vermont were incorpora
ed on the dates named: Bennington an
Windham, II Feb. 1879; Orange, Rutlan
and Windsor. q Feb. 1871; Addison,
donia. Essex. Franklin and Orleans,
Nov. 1892; Grand Isle, . Nov. 1902: Jeffe
con, I New. 1s10.-changed to Washing
ton. Nov. 1874; Lamoille. 26 Oct. 1879
The present constitution provides tina
State and County officers, members c
the General Assembly. justices Of tn
peace. and Representatives in Congress.
shall be elected. biennially, on the fire
Tuesday Of September.
THE JUDICIARY.
One chief judge and six associate ju,
tees are elected, biennially, by the Leg
islature. These judges constitute the ST
preme court. three general terms
which are held. annually. at the capita
The semi-annual terms of county court
have each for a presiding Judge, one
these supreme justices, and associate
with him are two assistant judges, cleo
ed by the people OF their respective cour
ties. The Vermont Judiciary has alway
been noted for It's high standard, ii
soundness Of its decisions, and clear-c,
logical deductions from the premises pr,
scented in pleadings: so much 80, that
law library Is not considered compile,
In the United States without a full 8,
Of volumes Of the Vermont Reports.
At the biennial Session Of 1908 Il
Governor. George H. Prouty, pursual
to q Joint resolution, appointed a con
mission to propose amendments to II
Constitution of Vermont. At the sessio
Of 1910 this Commission reported and rex
Ao1 80
amendments. Some Of these are OF vita
Importance. Proposal Two is a recon
mendauon that Article IL. Of the Ament
ments be further amended by requirin
a two-thirds vote to pass a bill over tn
Governors veto. whereas the prsser
Constitution provides that this can
done by q majority vote As we look &
1t this 10 Amply a move on the part
some to increase the power OF those
office and take 1t away from the peopl
II this proposal is adopted It will ir
crease the power of the Governor an
make It more easy for him to block les
islation, and more difficult for the peopl
to secure the legislation they desire.
We want the people Of Vermont TO e
a clear understanding Of the question 6
Issue. Do you want a greater central
zation Of power? Do you want to civ
over your rights to the Governor? D
you want to live under a monarchic;
form Of government? We believe all tru
Vermonters love freedom and. II the
clearly understand the situation, will +
slow to relinquish their right to Sc
government by majority rule. II I'll
people give up their rights. as Is the II
tent OF Proposal Two, It will be long b.
fore Town representation will be a thin
Of the past and district representatio
will take its place. Should that conditio
take place. the small towns will hav
little. II any. influence in Legislation
"a In