Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-11-06
Matters at Montpelier.

MONTPELIER, Nov. |, 1858.
SCISSORS --Meagrc as was your report in
your last issuc-that of the 30th ult, the
General Assembly of Vermont, it was about as
full as YOU could well make it from the sourc of
information at your command. Walton's Daiiy
Jomnd, whatever may be its value as daily rec
ord to those who are acquainted with the sub
iect matter of the several bills, resolutions pc
titons and circumstances introduced and acted
upon, furnishes but little information of value
to those who are distant from the capital, and
giyes but a very flat and indistinctiyc picture Of
the spirit and substance of legislative proceed
ings. \ debate on bill to change the name of
John Smith to Johannes Snuthcrus, or on
proposition TO prevent the catching Of GELS in
Otter Creek by bob and sinker," holds the
same prominence and occupies the same space
as discussion Of the gravcst constitutional
questions, or an important change in the finan.
cial policy of the State. But it may be that
this Duty gives the greater satisfaction to the
largest number in its present manner of report
ing legislative proceedings. If SO, the proprie-
ty Of the old motto, "De gustiGus," &C., readily
suggest, itself
For subordinate State officers the incumbents
of last year have been, thus far, all reelected,
with single exception. We believe they have
all discharged their several duties with great
satisfaction Especially is this the case with
the two from your county. As Secretary of
State, BENJAMIN W. DEAN, Esq, of Grafton,
has won the respect Of all for his ability and
courtcsyi and GEORGE b. KELLOGG, Esq, as
Adjutant and Inspector General has given
vigor and efficiency to that department that it
would be folly to attempt to increase or improve
by a cl ,nsc. The single exception to a re cleo
ton referred to above, is in the office of Repor-
ter Of the decisions of the Supreme Court.
CHARLES l.. WILLIAMS, Esq, who has filed the
Office abb and, we believe to the satisfaction of
both Bench and Bar, for three consecutive wears,
declined reelection. WILLIAM G. SHAW.
Esq.,, Of Burlington, the Secretary of Civil and
Military Affairs, during the late administration
OF Gov Fletcher, was elected on Friday TO sue
coed Mr.. Williams. He is a son of a former
Reporter and is said to possess all the requi-
sites for the place.
There has, as yet, been no election of Railroad
Commissioner At a Republican caucus, held
ON Wednesday evening, lion. GEORGE p.
MARSH the present incumbent, was re-nomi-
mated with great unanimity, but the Joint resp
luton liking time for the elecion now lies on
the table OF the Senate. There seems to be
desire on the part of some members to either
reduce the salary of the Commissioner or to
abolish the office. This feeling is manifested
more strongly by those who are in any way con-
nected with, or interested in, the management
OF the various railroads in the State 1t is re-
garded by them that the services rendered By
the Commissioner are of little or no value. and
that the roads have already sufficient obstacles
to contend with, and sufficient burdens to bear.
without being taxed for the support of such an
officer at salary so disproportionate TO the
services rendered. Those in favor of the COM
mission think that the railroads need looking
after, and to give the Commissioner power to
reform abuses and correct errors in this man
agement, a bill has been introduced in the
House entitled, IAN Act to provide for the COM
''piling Of the laws of this State relating to
Railroads and to extend the powers of he
"Rairoad Commissioner, and for other pur-
"poses."
As you have already informed your readers,
the old board of Judges of the Supreme Court,
were all reelected. There was another ticket
in the field with the names of ISAAC +. RID
FIELD and Milo l.. BENNETT omitted from the
head OF the list, and those of LOYAL c. KEEL
LoGG and +. +. Merrill, substituted after the
names Of the other four OF the old board. But
all were reelected rira rOce with the exception
of Judge Redfeld, on whom the test was made.
and he was elected by large majority on the
first ballot, which was as follows: Redfeld. l1S:
Poland, 81; scattering 3. 1t is due to Judge
Poland, than whom there is not a more Justly
popular man on the Bench, Notwithstanding the
diatrbes of a certain dissatisfied and petulant
editor in this place, to say that he and his per-
sonal friends were not party to this attempt
TO decapitate the present Chief Justice
But five or six bills have as yet passed both
Houses and received the signature of the Gov
ernor. Among these is "An Act incorporating
the Village of Brattleboro. The bill. as YOUR
readers know, was prepared by the Committee
appointed by the Village Corporation, last win
teri and its object is chiefly to bring the entire
control Of the E.e Department under the vii
lage authority, rather than, as heretofore, have
it lodged in the hands of an anomalous organ
ization known as the Fire Society 1t also pre-
vidcs that a majority, instead of three fourths.
OF the legal voters present at any meeting duly
called and held, can vote to raise money for any
necessary purpose. 1t simpliies the machinery
of the village government, and places the fire
department in efficient and responsible hands.
For many successive years the General AS
sembly of this State has been called upon by
bill and by petition to annex portion of Som
erset to adjoining towns, while both petition
and remonstrance have been used to thwaft that
object Prominent in this scene of action. in
slant in season and out of season, has been my
friend from Wardsboro-"the wheel-borse of
the Windham County Democracy" With an