Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-11-23

bers, two from each district. who ere ap-
pointed by the Governor. They were an
nounced last night, as follows; Messrs. j..
Ross of St. Johnsbury, COnant Of Royalton,
Merritt Clark of Poultney, d. d. Gorham Of
Montpelier, Pliny II. White of Coventry
and A. j. Sanborn OF Morfisvillc
Among the important changes in the laws
made by the last Legislature, We note the
following:
4 law was passed materially changing the
distribution of the public school funds. The
public money has hitherto been divided one
fourth equally between the common school
districts and the remainder in proportion to
the acreage daily attendance of scholars.
The new act divides one third Of the money
equally, and the remainder in proportion to
the aggregate attendance,-apparently fair
er and better plan of distribution.
The act allowing criminals to testify in
their own behalf is an important one. \
similar rule prevails in Massachusetts, and
Connecticut, and Il highly approved in
those States OF course the testimony Of a
criminal will always be taken with some
grains of allowance; but that he should be
allowed to tell his story and let it have such
weight as it is entitled to from It's character
and intrinsic probability. Is simple Justice to
the accused.
An act was passed ex mpting two horses.
not exceeding 5000 in value, from attach
ment, and proyiding that the ten sheep
heretofore exempt from attachment, shall be
so only when their value does not exceed
800 Without this last provision the
owner of ten " fancy sheep, might
have $4,000 or $4,000 exempt from levy.
An act was passed limiting the liability of
our State Banks. (now being closed under
the operation Of the national laws.) for the
redemption Of their currency. to the period
Of one year. commencing from the publica-
ton of due notice, which publication must
continue through the year.
The fees Of the Probate Courts (Which %
to the State) were made proportional to the
value Of the estates to some degree aud IN
the case of large estates, and small fees we've
added for certain hearings, &c.. which were
before unpaid.
The State tax lai d was % cents On the dol
lar.
The change in the Board Of Education,
makes it to consist Of six members Cnstead
of fire, as before) APPOINTED by the Govern
or annually, distributed two to each
Congressional District, and three Of the
namber to be practical tenchcrs. OF the
Board as now constituted. Mcssrs. CLARK Of
Poultney and Rev Pliny II White were
highly esteemed members of the old Board.
Mr.. Ross Of 81. JOLusbury il an excellent
selection, and Messrs. Gorham and Conant
are teachers Of high standing and capacity.
But we see nothing likely to be gained by tho
charge. On the contrary it always seemed
to US well to co1nec: the Governor and
Lieut.. Governor closely with tins most I'M
portaut Board, by making item members Of
it. 1t was all we'll enough certainly before,
and We fear that the process Of tinkering,
thus begun, may end in making the Board a
political machine, and destroy Whatever Of
permanence and Efficiency there is IN it.
The salaries o. the Judges of the supreme
Court were increased BY $500, making them
$500, which is all right, and
the pay OF the members was increased to
three dollars day, to which there would
have been much less objection on the part Of
the people, If the session had been made one
Of three weeks, in ,ead Of sir.
All efforts to increase the efficiency OF the
Militia were unayaIling. Even the act rc-
curing the commaudants OF Companies TO
collect and care for the arms at the expense
OF the State, Jailed.
The bill to provide Tor statues of Ethan
Allen and Jacob Coilamer. for the National
Gallery Of Sculpture, also. we AK sorry to
say, failed
The dog bill did no, become a law.
The total number Of bills introduced IN
both Houses must have bsen about 40O-a
hundred more than last year. Over 100 Of
them were TO create private aOTporations and
amend old charters. most .of which passed
without question.
On the whole We think til results Of the
session are calculated 10 strengthen the
growing conviction Of thou, ;htful men that
1t would De much tor the al vantage OF the
State If the House could e reduced 10
third OF it, present size, by doing away with
the ''rotten borough" sysiC N Of n represen-
tative for every town little and big and the
sessions Of the Legislature be made biennial,
instead Of annual.