Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-11-07
LETTER FROM MONTPELIER.

MoNIfELIEh, NOV. D, 1901.
scissors: During the past week none Of
the leading measures before the Legislature
have been either finally passed upon or have
been discussed at length. The time has been
mainly occupied in dsposng of matters of 10.
cal interest as Banks, Corporations, and the
like, in amending various existing laws in such
a manner as to rid them of doubtful construc-
ton and render them practically more effective.
Among the matters disposed of in the House
is that standard subject of legislation best known
as the "Dog Law" For several years a num-
Der of bills have been introduced each year in
the House, for the taxation or licensing of dogs.
These bills have been generally regarded as a
sort of legislative "knitting work." and were
kept long on the table through most of the
session to be called up whenever the Speakers
table was cleared of business. In this way the
whole subject has acquired reputation for boity,
so that when DOG bill" is announced gen.
eral smile runs around the House Illuminating
it like the ignition of a train of gun-powder.
This year the "dog bill" was entitled, "An Act
to prevent the destruction of Property BY Dogs
1t provided that every dog should be set in
the Grand List at one dollar, and that all dogs
unprotected by collar with the owners name
legibly engraved thereon, should be liable to be
killed at any time and by any body. This bill
was referred to the Committee TO make up the
Grand List, ahe reported adversely to its pas
sage. The House ordered the bill to an en-
grossment and third reading, but killed it on
its passage by about 20 majority. So the dogs
can have their day while longer. But, Sc
Tously, it does seem singular to hear farmers
plead for the retention of the bounties on bears
and cubs, and other noxious animals, because
OF the protection to their aocks and herds such
bounues give, in that they stimulate the des-
truction of destructive animals, while they
strenuously oppose any and every measure that
will have tendency to lessen lhe number or
abridge the privileges now enjoyed by dogs.
l venture to declare that for every sheen or
other animal killed or MANNED by bears, wolves,
wildcats and every other species Of "varmn,s"
in this State, ten are destroyed by dogs. .
The bill to raise all the taxes for the support
of schools on the Grand List, instea of rails
ing the fuel and teachers board on the scholar.
as is done in many places, failed TO pass The
Committee on Education, for wonder, repor-
ted adversely 60 its passage, and between the
most ardent admirers of the Board of Educa-
ton and the opponents of every scheme for the
improvement of our schools it fell to the
ground. The arguments made in the House
were overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, but
the votes were, unfortunately, as decidedly
against it.
The Select Committee, appointed by an Act
of the Legislature Of 1860, to revise the statutes
of this State, and to whom was referred special |
ly such acts and resolves of the General AS
sembly of the State oil Vermont as were in /
conflict with the Constitution and Laws of the
United States, have reported recommending the
repeal of all the recent "Personal Liberty bills"
that have passed the Legislature, and the Joint
Resolutions of 1853, as being imperative and
void on account of their conflict with the laws
of the general government. The Committee
also report bill to prevent kidnapping and
protect all persons in their legal rights 1t is
needless to say that this report is bitterly as
sailed by the extreme Republicans in the Leg
islature. An anonymous pamphlet has appeared
md been extensively circulated among the
members, in which feeble attempt is made to
answer some Of the arguments contained in the
Report. Senator Wheeler has also batch of
resolutions before the Senate, and
sx-Gov. Fletcher has supplied the House with
4 grist. The report has not yet been reached
n the House, and when it is taken its RECON-
may not be needed, but its logic
annot be set aside, nor the correctness of its
conclusions questioned by any man who regards
he Constitution and Laws of his country.
Mr.. Balch from the Select Committee on the
Liquor Law" has reported in favor of the
tringent bill committed to them with proposals
{ amendment, which are in the hands of the
rintcr. Mr.. Bach is a Humanitarian. He
rlenty desires to improve the race. But.