Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-11-18
MONTPELIER Nov. II, 1859,


Editors Free Press:
Perhaps the noticeable peculiar
ity Of the House and Senate, for a few days back,
and stronger to-day than before, is a disposition
to criticize each others measures and defeat them.
The Senate made itself merry this morning. over
the House bill to prevent coasting on the highways.
Mr.. smith will have the thanks Of all the boys,
for proposinr that when the Selectmen prohibit
~eoasting in the highways, they shall provide for
the bows some more suitable place for sliding.
The House bill regulating the sale of poisonous
medicines. was also subjected to a rigid scrutiny,
and, possibly, might have been ridieuled as the
coa.ting bill was, had there not been a Doctor
among them. who by the way is no Quack, but an
obIe nbvsician and chemist Of large knowledge and
no little practical experience. The DR.. toll them
that the bill was very exactly like one which has
been in successful operation in Ohio for some time,
and that his knowledge Of the frequency Of eases
Of poisoning, compelled him to say that the pro-
visions Of the bill are demanded for the security OF
life.
bill from the House repeating a Militia Law
| of last year was refused a third reading in the
Senate with little ceremony.
Some days ago the Senate sent back House bill
amended by a proposal to substitute tie word
eover for eornq. The House attempted to retort
by moving to amend s. oaate bill. by substituting
the word affect for ds-t.
To-day the House refused the passage GA SEN
ate bill granting the right to solemnize marriages
to licensed prcachers-to every student or promiS-
inr Young man who has been encouraged to try his
faculty as an exhorter or preacher.
The House also kicked over the watering t-oughs
which the Senate had provided for along the
highways.
The House has been IaboriousIy at WORK, and
accomplished a large amount Of business today.
Many bills have been received with reports Of
committees. and quite a number have been dis
posed Of Mr.. GIced's bill to give criminals the
RIGHT to testify in their own defense, which was
passed TO third reading by three majority, was
refused a passage by some twenty or thirty Al
so the bill to annex a part Of Elmore to Norris
town. which Mr.. Glced has labored hard to carry,
was refused by a large vote. 1t was noticeable to
see how those desiring o change oftown or county
lines. and have bills before the House for this
purpose in which they arc interested voted for
this bin. and those who are interested 20 oppose
any such bill, voted against this one. The show
ing Of Mr.. Gloed in this case was very strong.
1t is difficult to see how a stronger case could be
made out, save that it was to make a weak town
weaker, and a strong town stronger. Doubtless
the temper of the House towards AN such changes
,r,s ;-5;--.-1 tr -bis vote. and the Indication Is
correct. these measures before ulv rreseut Leeis-
lature will be easily and quickly disposed orvLen
the interested parties have hal their talk. The
bill providing for printing the report Of the Geo
logical Survey, passed to third reading without
debate. As it Is a Senate 5iil, # only avlits one
more action in the House. I hope no one viii at
tempt TO oppose .t-thor-h it appears b pretty
large bill for the State 20 pay. yet it must be
printed in order t. get the most benefit from the
money expended for the Survey, and who would
wish to see shabby uisgarily volume on such a
subject, published b.. State authority Nr. Ny
ers has brought in & bin proposed by Dorr
Bradley two years % % ,as the best, the cannitte,
appointed on so muca of the Governors message
asrelates to the equal distribution of the property
Of attached debtors, could do after four weeks
consideration. This viii probably defeat al action
on the subjec, this session.
Yours, DAN.