Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-10-17
LETTER FROM MONTPELIER.


SCISSORS: In a ride from any considerable
distance to this place last week, the most casual
or careless observer could not fail to note the
rare beauty of the nutumal foliage of our New
England forests as this year displayed. Every
hill is a magnificent boquet, the varied and
pleasing hues and tints being arranged with
such taste aud so harnoniously blended, as to
indicate the superior skill of Dame Nature in
every feature. 1t has been popularity believed
that these varcgated and brilliant colors were
the handcraft Of no less parsonage than Jack
Frost but the history of this autumn must for
ever decide this question against him. lie has
much to answer for in this climate of ours, but
his agency in this matter is of very little ac-
count. There has as yet this fall been no frost
that could at all affect our hill sides and sum-
mits yet never were the trees clothed in gar
ments of more gorgeous dyes. This coloring
is unqucstonably the result of the natural de-
cay of the leaves and vas doubtless intended
to compensate US for and reconcile us to their
final departure.
The General Assembly of the State convened
in the Capitol on Thursday morning October
10th, in accordance with the requirements of
the Constitution The House was organized
without the preliminaries of a caucus and with
out any delay, both the Speaker and Clerk of
last year being severally reelected with great
unanimity on the first ballot. In the Senate
there was a struggle for ihe Secretaryship.
Fourteen of the Senator's were in favor of the
reelection of the capable Secretary of last year,
and precisely the same number gave their votes
to VIM. II. Hoyt Of the Burlington Sentinel, a
"Union democrat" while one vote was cast in
another direction. After the third ballot Mr.
Hoyt's name was withdrawn and three more
ballots decided the election in favor of Henry
Clark of Poultney, also Union democrat"
Mr. Clark is iavorably known for his historical
researches, is gentlemen of pleasing address,
and will make capable and popular Secretary
Nj. r. Tyler of Irasburgh, was elected as his
assistant
Retrcnchment in expenditures and earnest,
thoughtful work in legislation are indicated by
the action of the General Assembly thus early
in the session. AS evidence of economy the
newspaper instead of two dailies and one week.
ly as has been customary heretofore. But half
the usual number of copies of the Directory
and the Governors Address have been ordered
to be printed Bills have been introduced into
the House to repeal the existing appropriation
to county agricultural societies, and to repeal
such existing statutes as provide compensation
to and fees for the Board of Education, its
Secretary AND town Superintendent of Com
mon Schools. The first will undoubtedly pass
the House and the second may with some
notifications. In the Senate Dr. Powers has
introduced a bill to pay the President of the
Senate and Speaker Of the House 1920 per year.
and the other members of the Legislature $50,
with proportonate reduction in the matter of
mileage
A bill introduced by Mr.. Garfield is before
the House which provides that the State shall
collect and pay over to the general government
its quota of the national tax. 1t will be re-
memhered that if this is done by the State.
deduction of fifteen per cent will be saved,
which in the case of Vermont will save about
$4,000. There can be no question obout the
wisdom or success of the measure.
The committee appointed by the last General
Assembly to revise the statutes of this State
Consisting of Milo L. Burnett, Andrew Tracy
and Pierrepoint Isham) will not be able to make
full report this session, partially account of
the time required for its printing. But they
have reported in lieu of all existing laws re-
lating to the militia, very long bill which is
intended to cover the whole ground, and to
meet present emergencies. This bill has been
introduced into the Senate and is in the hands
of the printer. A bill of equal length relating
to Insolvency is before the Senate. 1t is the
handiwork of Senator Edmunds. ! am as yet
unacquainted with its pecuiarities, but shall
probably learn them should it ever reach the
House.
The retiring Governors Valedictory Address
was delivered in Joint Assembly on Friday af-
ternoon. As it is published in another column
! will not attempt any analysis, but merely re-
mark that it is a clear and concise statement of
the doings of the Executive since the Extra