Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-11-14
Legislative.

The Leg isature adjourned sine die, on We'd
nesday morning after session of five weeks
Although some matters were debated TO an un-
usual extent the number Of new enactments will,
if we mistake not, be found 10 be much smaller
than usual. But few changes were introduced
and these are not of marked character.
An earnest effurt was made TO repeal the
Judiciary act Of last year, and retain the circuit
system which has been in operation the last
seven or eight years, but il did not succeed. A
hill repeating the act of last year providing for
the reference Of actions by the county court was
made the subject of warm discussion in both
houses, which, in the Senate, became some
what acrimonious and strongly tnctured with
personalities.
Some amendments 10 the liquor law passed
the House but failed in the Senate. The peo-
Pile generally are, so far as we understand their
sentiments, reverse to any further "doctoring"
on that subject at present.
A hill' relating TO fugitive slaves, similar in
its provisions to the personal liberty law" Of
Massachusetts, was reported by select COM
nlitee on that subject, of which Mr.. Needham
of Hartford was Chairman, and discussed, hut
il failed Of passage. The existing laws Of Yer
mont contain all necessary provisions on that
subject.
hill appropria'ng $50 900 for the com
plei"n Of the State House was the most excii-
ing topic discussed during the last week of the
session. 1t was finally amended by subsliiut-
ing $50, 900 for $4,000 and including all that
may be received by the State Of certain bond
given by sundry citizens of Montpelier at the
time it was determined TO locate the State House
at Montpelier, last winter.
The amount of The State tax ordered to be
laid the present year, is 10 cents on dollar oil
the Grand List.
A bill increasing the salary of the Governor
from 500 to $1,000, and that of the Treasurer
to $500, was passed. In the House the vote
stood, ayes SO, noes II.
A bill ahoishing the Office of Reporter Of
decisions of the Supreme Court, and throwing
that duty on the Judges failed, and Charles l..
Williams was elected Reporter for the year
ensuing.
The House passed bill annexing par, Of
Somerset TO Sralton, and refused to annex
another part 10 Dover. The amendment of the
committee requiring the assent of Stralton and
Somerset was adopted. The Senate made the
bill the order Of the day for LIST day of January
4. D. 1858.
The committee on Claims looked very cling
erly at all bills presented against the State
The House was equally averse to all unneces
sary expenditures. Claimants generally me
ailh less encouragement than usual. The
tines and the condition Of the Treasury were
undoubtedly the cause of this Discrimination tc
recommend expenditures.
On the whole We are inclined TO think tina
The session of the Legislature has been charsc
isfizsd by conservative aud prudent regard fo
the welfare Of The State, which has kept il il
some measure free from the incorporate legis
lsiioo II some Of ,s predecessors. In this Stat,
~iih The large number Of representatives anc
iinllsc rsuge u interests which demand con
alteration, Ne are IN danger Of oyer-much leg
isiai0h. Tie b@sgiy Il code Of Laws is sta
bhHy. Tbis esnnW be maintained " hen ever
session aisfslio0s and amendments are made
nor Vhsa s1zetiOsnp arc made only 70 be i'm
n,edis.eiy repealed.
We shall soos publish she pgbiie seis Of ih'
Legislature in full ~beo our readers will knpy
%bat is Law and ahsi Is not.
We csnaOi omIi ibis 0pponrnily for Doiie
ing the marked Improvement made 10 Walton
Daily journal. The reporting this year bs
been done with an ability and fidelity worth
Of COMMUNICATION.