Year: 1862

With the exception of a part of the resolu-
ton OF the gentleman from Chttenden, and that
introduced by the gentleman from Or
leans, find the action of our Council in accor-
dance with the resolution under consideration.


In purely representative or republican form
of government / know that il would seem
but simple proposition Of right, that the basis
of that representation should be equal, to be
just but We cannot if we would, shut our eyes
to the controlling fact that the system of town
representation has been from our very begin
mng law of our being and that the great
majority OF our towns look at once with a
jealous and distrustful eye upon every body
of men, who even htnt. at an alteration of this
system. Nor should we forget that it is to
such tribunal that our action must be sub
mitted for approval or rejection; and that if
we submit this with other desirable re-
forms, these very reforms will receive something
of their colsring from the ingredients mingled
with the cup. ] have faith that some day in
our State future We shall see the Inauguration
of different system of representation but if
it ever occurs, it must originate in the well
| considered judgement of the men of the towns
| themselves,--fro consciousness of the pres
| ent inequality and consequent injustice of the





posed by those upon whom the reform would
most directly operate. Men will sometimes
impose upon themselves restrictions to which
they will cheerfully submit because they are
self-imposed, while they would spurn as un
worthy OF their independence, this very lmi-
tation, when offered by others.


| We have now the opportunity to accomplish
for our State a reform that will save to us in
| the hours of our greatest trial, hundreds of
thousands of dollars. We have before us ths
auspicious moment when, amiuIlv convinced,
the people are prepared to approve aud adopt
the beginning of essential reforms--to naug-
crate the era of progress in constitutional law,
which will ultimate IL securing by constitu-
tional enactment all the improvements which
the most wise and discriminating statesmen
could ask on expect.


There is, however, before us Scylla and a
| Charybdis, between which we must cautiously
make our way. We may do too hit, there
is greater danger of doing too much .s seems
to me not at all in accordance with the spirit
Of the age that it should take seven years to
reach desirable reform, and accomplish it
through the medium of amendments to our
Constitution and if this is so, and there are
not controlling reasons to the contrary, we
ought at once and forever to abolish the Coun-
Gil of Censors. And if you will submit to
men whether they will hold Office for t,ro years
or one my word for it the long term will
have it without count.


| As turn to our past history, | think see
| in the action of former Councils the controlling
reason why we have been called to assemble
here this seventh year again. No Council has
failed to recommend important amendments
and reforms. But with these have been
brought forward many others which, not of
doubtful expediency, were at least vi char
acter that the people had not made up their
minds upon, and were not prepared to adopt.
Looking at the great mass of changes propos-
| ed to be made, many of them of very radi-
| cal character, the work proposed has appeared
to our Conventions Herculean, and the result
has been that the essential and nos-essential
have gone down together.


So strongly am | convinced of this, that
shall be perfectly willing, if thought advisable,
to go to the people on the simple proposition
| to abolish the Council of Censors, and place
amendments or alterations within reach of the
people. l should do so, with with the full as
surance in my own mind that among the first
acts Of the people would be the change from
annual TO biennial legislation and of course all
changes incident thereto.


But, Mr.. President, the higher considera-
tions of this question,-those which effect the
economy of our administration, the stability
and dignity of legislation, and the facility and
security with which essential reforms may be
reached and accomplished, will commend them
selves to all.


i While the people are pouring out their trea-
fraalv for fhic Ifta ctruo0la of tho nation
know that they demand of us, and of all, the
most rigid economy, not for the sake of the
money itself, but that they may the more gem
erously offer of the sinews of war until this un-
holy rebellion is crushed, and the assasslns Of
American liberty exterminated.


4 hope, sir, that my resolution will be adopt
ed, and that we shall thus have an indication
of what our action shall be.