Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-12-06
The Legislature Character and Ad
tournament.

the 9th instant.
This has been a Legislature long to be rcmem
bered for the length of the session, the ability.
especially of the House, and the important
measures that have been considered and dis
cussed in both its branches.
Among the measures which have received the
attention Of the Legislature of the present ses-
sion, are the Appropriation Bill, to refund to
the citizens Of Montpelier, tho money they
havoexpended in rebuilding the State House; an
act to guard and protect the treasury of this
State an act to abolish the County Grand Ju-
ry; an act to fix the salary Of County Clerks
and an act to relea the statute prohibiting the
Exhibition of Crcuses, in this State.
The appropriation act to refund to the citi-
zens of Montpelier, was referred to the commit
tee of g ways and Means who reported unan-
imously in favor OF its passage, but, on account
of the recent defalcation in the treasury, the
bill failed to pass the House; but it was quite
apparent, that large majority of the members
were convinced Of the justice and equity of the
measure, and had it not been for the defalcation
and depleted state of the treasury, the bill
would have passed both houses. and this vexed
question would have been settled forever The
present ses sion have discovered that although
their predecessors had provided for the prosecu-
ton and punishment of cashiers and clerks for
embezzing money, that they had entirely omit
ted to furnish auy such protection in the case
of the State Treasurer, and have, at this SEES
ion, provided tho necessary remedy, with addi-
final guards and checks.
The act to abolish the County Grand Jury
was agtated and discussed with great ability
in the House, but failed to pass by a very close
vote This discussion of the measure, will,
think, prove of great benefit to the State, mas
much as there has been growing prejudice
against the institution for several years past,
among the people of the State. The time, as
we think is not far distant when this secret in
quisitien will no longer disgrace and Cypress
the people of this State.
The act to fix the salary of the several Coun-
ty Clerks Of this State failed for want Of time.
1t is also under stood that the several County
Clerks in this State, were much opposed to the
passegc, and exerted no little influence with
heir friends to delay the bill so that it should
fail for want of time.
The act to permit clrcuse9 to exhibit in this
State. provided that they should pay into the
State Treasury two thousand dollars. and should
also pay to the town where they should exhibit,
sum not exceeding fifty dollars, This bill was
reported by the committee of ways and means,
in the House, who recommended i,s passage,
and it passed in the House by respectable ma
jority, but was lost in the Senate. C. II. Farms
worth of Fairfax, who is one of the proprictors
or an agent for the circus company which ex-
hibitcd in Burlington last summer, was before
the committee and House, urging the passage
of the bill. And If all the persons connected
with circusss, are as gcntlemany and energetic,
sober and afablc as that gentleman appeared to
be during the existing discussions which were
had upon the bill, then we think there would
be nothing immoral in the exhibition Of cir
Gus; and as an economical question, it seems to
us the bill shonld have passed, for or pie
are 50 constituted that they will have amusa-
ments, and will witness circus exhibitions, and
will expond more money to 60 abroad out OF
the State, for that purpose, than would be ex-
pended if these exhibitions were allowed in this
State.
! Among the most able and active members OF
! the House, We may mention Hon. John G.
! Smith of St. Alb1ns, Glcod Of MorTst0wn
Field Of Nowfanc, Stoddard Of Townshend,
Noycs of Burlington, Denison Of Royalton,
Allen Of Rutland, Dickerman Of Charleston,
and Thomas of West Fairle3. all Of whom cx-
hibited talents and ability Of the first order
and when this phalanx OF men had fairly dis
cussed question, it was evident that tho sub
ject was quite thoroughly exhausted Of all ar
guments in favor or against it. There we're
other members of the House who were quite
active, and who participated largely In the de-
bates in the House, and who possessed good
legislative talents. Among this number we
mention Pingry of Weathersfeld, Myers Of
Jamaica, Wright Of Castleton, Child Of Hyde
park, Gardner of Bennington, Dale of Guild
hall and Ranncy of Brattlcboro'. These men
exhibited Legislative talents of a superior char.
acter, and, on the whole, we doubt if the
House of Representatives has combined 80 large
an aggregate of ability for many years past
The Senate Of this year was also an able and
dignifed body. Among tho old Senator's whc
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