Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-10-23
encouraged by prompt support from home.
Gov. Seymour has evidently heard from
Pennsylvania and Ohio.
From Montpelier.
Correspondence of the Free Press.
NoSIPEIIER. Oct. IA, 1868.

MONTPELIER, Oct. II, 1868.
Dear Free Press;
Things look more like busi-
ness during the last "a hours. The State Oftfcers
are now elected with the exception Of Sergeant
alarms this morning the Speaker announc-
ed the Standing Committees Of the House, and
more business-like spirit is apparent.
A resolution was introduced in the House this
morning, expressing the opinion that the exisen-
cies Of the times demand that the militia Of the
State should be drilled. No one seemed disposed
to debate the resolution. and it was adopted;
though, as but a small number of members voted
on the question, it did not appear that the pass
age of the resolution was the expression of very
well considered opinion on the part of the mem
bers generally 1t is probable that so important
a resolution will yet receive the attention 1t de
mands; or that the question involved in IT will
come up in some other form, and not then be
passed over by hesitating vote of some half
dozen members. T.
MONTPELIER, Oct. 10.
The Legislature for the last two
days has been industriously engaged upon local
bills of no very general Importance. The House
Committee on Military affairs reported this
morning bill providing for the organization
and drill of the State Militia 1t is the identical
bill reported by the House Military Committee
last year.
The advocates of the bill then, and those who
defeated it, are not, for the most part, here now.
1t comes before the present House as new
measure 1t is felt that the apology for a law
enacted last year, is not sufficient, and that
something more efficient should take its place
The opinion of the House as to what that some
thing should be has not think been called out.
The resolution expressing the sentiment of the
House which noticed in my last, was undoubted-
ly intended by the friends of the bill introdu-
ced as feeler. 1t was not however so taken by
the House, nor DO they esteem themselves COM
mitted to the measures which that resolution APP
proves Such at least is the impression | have
gained.
There has thus far been an unusual absence
Of debate in the proceedings of the Legislature.
Bills or resolutions, important or unimportant,
local or general in their nature, fail to excite
discussion. bill authorizing the town Of
Woodstock to raise money to build a railroad t.
connect with the Vermont Central R. r., which
passed the House this morning was voted agains
by a considerable number Of members, so many
that its passage might possibly have been sue
cessfully challenged at the right moment. anC
vet during the time the bill has been before tn
House not word for or against it has beeI
spoken. Speech making, if it has any plac
here, must be done think, and perhaps appro
priately, before the Committees. 1t is howeve
desirable that upon question Of such import
ance as the Militia question, members should a
least express opinions, and undoubtedly the Ia
tent oratory of the House will yet be called GU
on this question.
The House adjourned at ten this morning an
do not meet again until four O'Clock P. NJ. {
Monday. Yours &c ?.
MONTPELIER, Oct 10Th 1868.
The present week bids fair {
be an interesting one at the Capital. The pre-
liminaries having been got over, the real work q
the session begins to engage attention. The Com
mittees are industriously at work, and the resul
of their labors will become more apparent as tn
session progresses.
1t will be remembered that the Military Com
mittee have adopted the bill for organizing III
Militia which was reported by the Military Com
mittee Of last year, and defeated. | cannot Sc
how this bill, fit shall be adopted by the House
can properly take less time for its consideration
, than an entire new bill would have required.
is true that it was in the first instance prepare
by committee every way competent to the dis
charge of this duty, but the fact that the bi
was defeated last year after protracted discussio
and mature deliberation, must cause member
to regard careful examination of its merit
as an imperative duty. A measure a
important as this-one in which every man /
the State has personal interest-ought not an
cannot, think, be hurried through the Legisla
ture.
The Senate have now under consideration III
Woodstock Railroad bill, which remarked i
my last the House mad passed with gres
apparent indifference to its provisions an
merits. In the Senate, it does not seem hkel
: to slip along to its third reading, without a
east an inquiry into what the bill really is
what are its merits and dement's, if it has any
: As am writing. learn that the Senate hay
recommitted it to a committee to amend, 50 a
to make it consistent with the General Statute
Of the State, and it is presumed by some tina
such other amendments may be made as wi
ultimately defeat the bill. How that may
time will show.
r The question of the union of the College
of the State, with the Agricultural Col
lege which it is proposed to found,
likely to engage a good deal of attention
in the course Of the session. learn from
private sources that an informal meeting of mel
most prominent and influential in the State, $,
far as educational matters are concerned at least
is held here to-day for consultation.
A resolution was adopted by the House thii
morning, and will undoubtedly be adopted by
the Senate, granting the use of the Representa-
tive Hall to the Board of Education on Thurs
day evening, for the purpose of holding public
discussion with reference to the educational in
terests Of the State as presented by Gov. Smith
in his Message. P.
Presentation. L. E. Chittenden is at