The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-05-06
STATE CONSTITUTION
DELIAITS AUTHORITY
Governor Clement Replies TO suara-
gists Stating bounds OF Aetisu.

Governor Clement Replies 10 Suara-
gists Stating Bounds OF Actisn.
Burlington, May 2-The following
is the letter received by Mrs Lillian
II. olzendam Of the Vernon; Equal
Suffrage Association in which Gov.
Pereival W. Clement refuses to call a
special session OF the Legislature and
gives his reasons therefor
Governor Clements Letter
My dear Mrs. olzendam:
| wish TO commend the manner in
which the arrangements were planned
and executed with reference 10 the
delegations which appeared at the
State House Wednesday, April q, to
express their reasons for requesting
the calling Of the Vermont Legisla-
ture in special session 10 consider the
ratification Of the 10Th amendment to
the federal constitution.
State and Federal Constitutions Not
in Conflict
Our State constitution is based upon
the fact that all power and authority
emanate from the sovereign people.
The Legislature has no other right for
its existence and has no authority ex-
cept that bestowed upon II by the con-
stitution. The federal constitution
provides that the State Legislature
shall be the organization which shall
approve or reject for the States,
amendments proposed to the federal
constitution. Our State constitution
also provides that the Legislature Of
Vermont is the organization authoriz-
ed to make amendments TO the State
constitution, but requires that such ae-
tion shall be exercised only within GER
tain limitation, both in regard to time
and mode Of approval and the federal
constitution is not in conflict with our
State constitution in this particular.
Legislators Infringed Constitution
! believe that our legislators in the
past have on occasion violated their
oatha of Office by rstifying amend
ments to the federal constitution with
out a referendum 10 the people. II is
true that they acted within the strict
letter of their authority under the
federal constitution, but in effect they
altered and infringed the constitution
of Vermont in contravention Of its
express terms, thereby voting away
rights Of Vermonters, which have been
held sacred for more than one hundred
and twenty-five years. | resent that
action and believe feeling Of resent
ment Is general in Vermont.
Should go TO Referendum
The preservation Of our constitu-
tion inviolate, except as changed by a
vote of the sovereign people them
selves, II vastly more important for
the stability Of our government than
is the question Of suffrage, or any
other question of amendment TO the
constitution of Vermont. or TO the
| federal constitution.
have taken no public position for
or .igainst granting TO women the
privilege Of voting, but adhere TO my
sincere conviction that the decision Of
this important question be submitted
by referendum TO the people.
am pleased TO express my graft
tude TO the suffragists Of Vermont for
the interests they manifest in their
campaign. and for the dignity with
which II is being conducted, but enter
tanning the views which have herein
expressed. and lacking any assurance
that the present Legislature would
submit this question To a vote Of the
people Of Vermont, must, therefore,
deny your request for a special session.
Yours very truly,
PERCIvAL w. CLEMENT.