Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-02-27

admission Of the state into the Union at
every election. by voters for whose
qualification to exercise their suffrage
we must look to the constitution. and to
that alone. It is a fundamental principle
of law that the constitution Of State.
framed by a convention elected for that
purpose and adopted by the people. en-
bodies their supreme original WILL and.
wherever the constitution has pre-
scribed the qualifications OF electors. they
cannot be changed or added to by the
Legislature otherwise than by an amend
ment to the constitution. The constitu-
don Of Vermont, from which the Legisla-
lure derives it's powers. in prescribing
what those powers shall be. adds this
express prohibition: They shall have no
power to add to. alter, abolish or infringe
any part Of this constitution" Chap. IL.
Sec. 81 II follows that the constitution,
having determined what the oualifca-
ions of voters for presidential electors
shall be- the Legislature can pass no act
which shall add to. alter or abolish any
Of those qualifications. am advised that,
for this reason, 8. 8, inasmuch as ii
undertakes to add to the qualifications
Of voters for presidential electors. pre-
scribed by the constitution. is uncon'
stitutional and beyond the power OF the
Legislature to enact
II is no answer 10 the foregoing to
urge that the qualification of voters as
provided in the constitution extends only
% the offices created by the constitution
for the reason that i'll their action al
the several presidential elections from
lT91 TO the present time. the people of the
State have treated the restrictions of the
constitution in reference to the exercise
Of this suffrage as applying TO voters
for presidential electors.
In this respect. il the question of tho
right Of the Legislature were doubtful
| it would be sufficient reason for moi
| passing this bill. 1t seems eminently APP
! propriate that the people Of the State
| through their constitution. should deter
\ mine the qualification OF voters fol
| offices in the national government anc
| !or those who are to choose the chic
magistrate and vice-president OF thu
! United States 1t is more properly
| part of the permanent supreme law, thar
4 subject for an act Of the Legislature
which may be repealed at any time
either during the same session of IL
| passage, or any subsequent session
| which may be the result of Il wave o
! 'Dputar enlDuSlaSm or nSSterlcdI impulse
instead of the mature product Of the con
siderate judgment OF the years required
for the adoption Of a constitutional
amendment. The present is a time o
abnormal conditions. Nothing seems sure
Nothing is settled. II Is difficult for tn,
most calm and sober mind to realize tn
actual situation and form a satisfactor,
conclusion as to the Legislation needed
| n - xctin oh
tainty, whether in matters of finance. o
industry, OF educations, of labor or o
government. The time appointed by tn
constitution Chap II. Sec. G0 for tn
proposals Of appointments to the con
stitution is very near. and il would seen
wiser TO postpone radical action Il
reference TO the electorate of Vernon
until that time has arrived 1t may b
noted, too, that. should this action o
the Legislature be held invalid as beyon
its power, our State may be deprived o
II voice in the election Of the next presi
dent OF the United States.
PERC1VAL ". CLEMENT.
Governor
VICTORY FOR CHIROPRACTICS
All the morning in the House was spen
in continuation of the debate on actio
end Of the morning session. the amend
ments offered by the committee on pub
lie health were rejected, l27 to 80, ais
the Buttles amendment requiring thre
years course for chiropractors alread
practicing In the State. The bill wen
to third reading after two compromis
: amendments from Mr.. Alexander of s.
Adams city had been adopted. TIL
; ,lmax brought great applause, it bein
} the end OF full days fight over III
measure.
Although the chiropractors seem I
ave secured the thing which they wer
fter in the passage OF this bill, it
| Heally a fact that the amendment
, Tered by Mr.. Alexander this mornin
provide many OF the same requirement
, Tor securing a license in the State whic
those opposing his measure. as original
drawn, were asking for. Mr.. Alexands
, fret proposed to amend the bill by RI
quiring four-year high school cours
and three years Of attendance in a reputi
BILE chiropractic school for those comm
INTO the State to practice chiropract
. after the passage of the act, He did NJ
at that time offer to make such require
o ments for the chiropractors now pra
tcing in the State.
r After yesterdays debate, however. N
Alexander decided to come forward wit
i. the extra amendment which provides tn
a chiropractors now practicing In the Sta
II must furnish a diploma from a reputab
chiropractic school which at the prese
4 time requires a three-year course OF stu'
q for such diploma.
5, FARM LOAN BILL PASSES
: In the Senate, III. 80 legalizing Il
bonds of the federal farm loan banks {
y investments by State banks. also scor
10 a decided triumph. being passed by
e vote Of Is to IL.
70 SHORT ELECTION RECESS
10 Mr.. Durham of Brattleboro, In behs
u Of the speed-up committee. forestall
It the expected ten-day adjournment
70 March meeting by a joint resolution Will
le passed the House this morning. provi