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


ent this morning vetoed S. s. giving
women the right to vote for presiden-
tiai electors. In order to pass this bill
over the veto of the Governor. the bill
must repass both the Senate and the
House by a two-thirds majority of those
voting in each case. There is "A ques-
ton whether 1t will be possible TO get a
two-thirds majority In either house.
The Senate passed the measure by ex-
actly a two-thirds majority, the vote
being 20 to 10. The vote in the House
was 100 TO so, with 143 necessary to
get the required two-thirds.
In his message to the Senate in which
the Governor disapproves the bill, h.
gives as his reasons for the veto that.
comforting a II does the elective fran
chise to be exercised at the coming
presidential election, i; should rot be.
come a law if there lie any reasonable
doubt of its constitutionality, and he
questions its constitutionality, since the
constitution Of the United States does
not prescribe the qualifications of vot-
ers for presidential electors. He also
maintains that the constitution of Yer.
mont says that the Legislature Of the
State shall have no power to add TO-
alter, abolish or infringe any part OF
the constitution. and he argues that
the constitution OF Vermont, having de.
tsrmined what the qualifications Of vot-
ers for presidential electors shall be-
the Legislature cannot pass an act
which will change II.
Governor Clement also says that.
aimee the time for proposing amend.
nents to the constitution 10 so near
II seems wise TO let the matter rest un.
I'll that time arrives and have the mat.
ter attended to in a way which shall
leave no doubt as to its constitution.
atty.
GOV. CLEMENTS VETO
Governor Clements veto follows:
February -. 1919.
To the Honorable Senate:
have the honor to return herewith
without my approval Senate bill No. 8
IAN act to give women the right to vot,
for presidential electors for the reason
that:
This bill undertakes to prescribe qualif
cations for taking the freeman's oath an,
to confer upon women the right to vot,
for presidential electors
Without considering the expedisncy, tn,
desirability or undesirability of the meas
ure proposed, or the possible benefit o.
mischief which may result from it's pas
sage. inasmuch as it undertakes to confe
the elective franchise to be exercised n
the presidential election, it is of para
mount Importance that It's validity shout,
he unimpeachable; and. II there is an.
reasonable doubt of It's constitutionalty
II should not become a law. il is an un
dertaking on the part or the Legislature
20 prescribe the qualifications of voter
at the election of presidential electors.
The Constitution OF the United States
While IT prescribes specifically the class o
citizens entitled to vote for members o
the National House Of Representative
and senator's of the United States. doe
not undertake to prescribe the qualifica
lions of voters for presidential electors
hut does provide: Each State shall an
point, in such manner as the Legislator
thereof may direct. a number Of elector.
equal to the whole number of senator
and representatives TO which the stat
may be entitled in the Congress- ETC.
and further provides 1.-THE Congress ma
determine the time of choosing the cleo
TORS. and the day on which they shall Civ
their votes: which day shall be the sam
throughout the United States"
The Congress Is not authorized to d,
fermine what shall be the qualification
of voters for presidential electors. TIL
office Is created by the United States Cor
attution. and the number OF electors
determined in part by the population {
rhe respective States. Individually, an
with reference to the fact that each stat
Is entitled TO representation. as Stat
IN the Senate Of the United States. The
function is q choice of the president an
vice-president Of the United States. o
fees created by the Constitution of II
United States, in which the people Of tn
country and this State have much interel
both in the choice of the individual al
the stability OF his tenure of office as
require the utmost caution IN the exc
else OF the elective franchise. Both II
national and State governments shou
exercise the powers which respectlve
belong 10 them. according to a fair ar
practical construction of the rights Of II
State and the rights of the United State
for they arc essential to the preservatic
Of our liberties and the perpetuity OF OF
a institutions.
The constitution and laws of Nermo
treat the elective franchise as a sacr
trust committed only to that portion
the citizens who come up to the pr
scribed standards of qualification. to
exercised by them AT the time and plac
law and proclamations.
Vermont was the first new State adm
ted to the Union, and 1t came In under
constitution which conferred the rig
Of suffrage only upon men
In prescribing the qualification
voters for candidates TO elective onic
In the state and national government
the right TO vote is restricted to fire.
men.
Pursuant to the power vested In II
the Constitution Of the United States.
Legislature of Vermont has provided
manner In which the election of electc
os Of president and vice-presdent shall
held. and. since the adoption OF
u constitution, that instrument alone h
specified the qualification of voters
4 such election. Presidential electors ha
tbeen voted for in Vermont since