St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-02-24
The Attorney Generalship

The Attorney Generalship
BY vote of 1872 to At, the house
on Thursday last passed the bill
abolishing the Office of attorney gen.
eral in Vermont. 1t is stated by
those well acquainted with the senti-
ment OF the senate that the bill will
be refused passage in the senate by
even a stronger vote. This creates
a very interesting situation. 1t can
not be denied that the vote of the
house represents popular sentiment
on this matter. The Office of attor-
ney general was created on a plea
that it would be a measure of econ
omy by doing away with the employ
ment of special counsel in cases of
homicide, etc. That it has failed to
effect any economy is shown by the
records of the office from its estab-
lishment to date. 1t was also claimed
that the state officials should have
such legal authority to which they
could apply for legal advice. The
attorney generals have given such
advice but it proves to be only a
lawyers opinion and such an opin-
ion is seldom final, the courts prov
ing the only final authority on legal
opinions. To watch proposed legis-
lation and prevent the enactment of
unconstitutional acts and avoid legal
entanglements was another service
that was promised with the office,
but the enactment of law has not
been materially improved since the
state has had an attorney general.
So 1t must be admitted that this
branch of legal service to the state
has not made good. 1t has been
tried and the people believe it is
found wanting.
Looked at from political stand
point the question possesses interest.
In the house all political parties are
represented but it's verdict was not
given on party lines. Members of
all parties of any Importance voted
for its adjustment. The senate isl
composed entirely of republicans and
if that body kills the bill the repub-
lican party will be held responsible
for action contrary to popular SEN
timent. Republicans who would
serve their party faithfully should
not so embarass it.
1t is true the republican state
platform did not promise to abolish
this Office. 1t did not do so because
the committee which drafted the
platform realized that it was an open
issue and felt it would be unwise
to attempt to bind the party to def
1ite action in the matter. Other po-
itical platforms, however, did call
'or the adjustment of the Office.
The republican party also called for
in the Judiciary de-
,artment of the government and this
s the first, and so far the only, pro-
position before the senate for re-
renchment in that department.
Therefore it would seem as though
solidly republican senate is under
Obligations to it's party to heed the
popular verdict that has been given ;
IN this question.
The legal profession is practically
old in favor of the continuance of s
he office of attorney general but S
he rest of the people are not. 1t
would seem unwise for that profess 1
ion to attempt to thwart the will S
# the people at this time. 1t is {
rue that the present occupant of /
his Office is a man of unquestioned
haracter and ability. Every one {
cells that he will do his utmost to s
'rotect the state from unreasonable s
Expense in that office. These facts t
re entitled to consideration but G
hould not outweigh the record of l
he Office as a whole. Nor should {
hey blind the members of the senate /
o the popular desire of the whole I
tate.
Our confidence that good govern :
nent would not be harmed by the
.bolishment of the office, our belief
hat republican senators will serve
heir party best by needing the de-
Tres of the people and our desire
o see real economy effected in the
onduct of the state government
prompts us to earnestly appeal to
ach member of the state senate to
-ote for the bill abolishing the Of
Ice OF attorney general.