Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-10-30
BELLOWS FALLS, OCT. 30, 1863.
DoinRs mt Montpelier.

The assembled wisdom at Montpelier, are
now at earnest work as will be seen by our
reports elsewhere, and the prevailing opin-
ion last week was that the session would be
short, and it is thought they will get through
next week. We hope they will, but as
they warm up on some of The subjects be-
fore them the session may be prolonged.
On Saturday there was an Interesting de-
bate on the bill to aid drafted soldiers. MIR.
Shaw of Burlington, and some Others, OPP
posed it on the ground that it would dis
courage volunteering Mr.. Goodhue open
ed the ball in support of the entire bill.
He showed that the towns which offered
bounties last summer, TO drafted men who
either Joined the service or were represent
ed by substitutes had now in the field from
fifty TO hundred per cent. Of their accept
ed drafted men. Several towns which gave
$500 bounty, sent their entire quota, while
the State only shows less than twenty-five
per cent. Of its drafted men in the service.
Mr.. Dorr of Rutland, and Mr.. Deane of
Cavendish, followed on the same side. A
motion having been made that the tax for
raising bounties Should not fall on non-yesi-
dents, Mr.. Daniels OF Grafton, opposed the
motion, and gave the copperheads rap.
A bill has also been introduced and re-
ferred to a committee of clergymen, of which
there are some six or eight in the House,
to repeal the law requiring the intention of
marriage to be published. BY the law as
it now stands, The Vermont clergy are los
ing their marriage fees, as the parties 90
out of the State to avoid the punishment.
We believe it will be right to repeal the
law, and hope the legislature will do it. 1t
amounts to nothing practical as it stands,
and certainly we ought to encourage home
industry"
The matter Of an Agricultural College,
and the proposed union of the Vermont
colleges, excites much interest among the
friends Of education. But the obstacles to
union are great, and it is not likely, we
think, to be effected, however desirable.
The present colleges are at Burlington,
Middlebury and Norwich, and each locality
is naturally unwilling to give up their time
honored institution of learning. 1t is doubt
full, too, whether it would be we'll TO unite
with an Agricultural College, the higher
classical and theological course of studies.
The subject of more effective military
organization has already been considerably
discussed. The House seems to be in ia
vor of an organization, which could be ef-
fectually used in case of sudden emergen-
cy. AT the present time, the State has not
over a hundred decent muskets, and is al
most defenceless in case of an invasion.
The greatest obstacle TO such an organiza-
ton, now, is the great expense. The SEN
ste is understood to be opposed to sny new
law, and any aclion by the Legislature on
the subject, will probably fail Ivy dead lock
between the House and Senate.
The Essex County railroad bin is likely
10 consume considerable time 1t will prob
ably pass the House and be defeated in the
Senate, same as last year. On the whole,
we now expect short session, which will
be greatly TO the credit of the legislature of
1868.