Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-11-07
Correspondence Of The Vermont Phoenix
STATE IIousE-TnE LAW or RErEREScE--THE Ju-
dietary LAw-CnARAcTER OF THE HOUSE.

STATE IIousE-THE LAW or REFEREycE--THE Ju-
dietary LAw-CnARAcTER OF THE House.
MONTPELIER, Oct 81, 1867.
The work on the State House is suspended for
the Winter. 1t was hoped that the roof might
have been put on, and with three weeks pleasant
weather IT might have been, and then work on the
inside might have been pushed forward.
A bill for repeating the law of last session for
reference Of actions has been before the House for
two days, and ELECTED warm debate It was brought
to n conclusion this afternoon by the passage Of the
bill.
A bill to repeal the judiciary act Of last session
is also before the House; it has been debated one
day, and the debate is to be resumed tomorrow.
1t is the most important bill Of the session, and the
prospect now is that II cannot pass. 1t ought not
to pass, for the old system of having all the judges
in turn ride the circuit. is the only one which will
make sound judiciary
There is more of speaking talent in the House,
than for many previous years, and the debates have
been exceedingly able and interesting. The legal
profession is we'll represented, in talent, but find
their match in some Of the farming class, whose
slcdge- hammer good sense and logic, frequently
scatter to the winds the fine spun logic of the law
yers. In point of talent and influence, our repre-
sentative, Mr.. Bradley, undoubtedly stands fore
most in the House. He is ready and forcible de-
batter, and notwithstanding his defect of hearing,
is well posted in what is going on. He speaks Of
ten, but always brief and to the point, and is al
ways heard with pleasure and attention. Mr.
Dean Of Cavendish, is also a fluent and ready de-
batter and discusses questions with straight for
ward common sense. which simplihes the subject.
He is among the leading men of the House. Judge
| Fierpo,nt of Rutland. is another strong man. He
has technical and logical turn OF mind than
Mr.. Bradley, or, perhaps had rather say, applies
staid logic more frequently to the discussions OF
questions. Mr.. Merrill of Montpelier, Chairman
of the Judiciary Committee, is a very agreeable
and strong debater, and OF commanding influence
Among the young members who have distinguished
themselves in debate, are Messrs. Woodbridge Of
vergennes, Stewart of Middlebury, Smith of Barre
Needham of Hartford, 0lmstead of Bridport Dean,
of Grafton, and others do not now think Of.
There are some older members, who make nC
pretension as dcbaters but who are strong men
ana exert n controlling influence Messrs Litti'
of Corintb, Colby of Hartland, Marsh of Brandon
and Martin Of Chelsea are Of this character. Will
such n variety and amount Of talent, every qucs
ton which comes up, is thoroughly sif,ed and dis
cussed. There arc many objections to so numerou
a body They are cumbersome, expensive, and mp
TO bring together perhaps less, talent than small
er body, but there is one redeeming feature of it
which if representation were equaliled, would un
balance oil objections to it. 1t brings large mum
Der of laboring men-hrmers and mechanics, int
the Legislature, where they acquire information
legislative experience, knowledge of men and things
} which they could obtain in no other way, an
which makes them useful citizens, and intelligen
freemen, and better qualities them to judge
= ly of measures and men. p.