Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-10-18
COrre.poncenoc of the FREE PnEss-

MoNTrELIER. Oct. IL. 1867.
DEAR FREE PRIss,-
The matters Of special interest in tie Leg
islature too day have been the report of the
committee on rules. IN the House, and Of the
canvassing committee; the Inauguration and
message IF Governor Page; and the aeees-
sion OF the new Lieut-Governor, General
Thomas, to the chair Of the Senate.
The chairman of the committee On rules.
Mr. Park Of Bennington, took the floor after
the report was read, to explain some OF the
changes made By the committee from the
rules Of last vear,-especlally in regard to
the standing committees. They had changed
the number Of the members composing some
of these. to meet changes IN the relative I'M
portance ard labOIiousness Of their duties, as
of the committee On roads ; had added
new committee On Federal relations, as is
customary in many other States; had con-
stituted committee On printing, 10 desig
nate to the clerk tho p rs TO be printed, in
.ieu of the former rule requiring all bills OF a
pubic nature to be printed and had al
tered the rule in relation to the selection Of
seats, so as to have the members draig Tor
their seats. and thus obyie;e the scramble
now customary on the first morning Of the
session-in which the mOs5 physically &C
tive members were wont to secure the best
seats, and leave the poorer to the weaker,
OF more dignifed members.
Mr. Miner Of Manchester bad doubts as to
the wisdom Of the change II reference to
printing. For many years. all bills were re-
ferred by the Speaker % 4 committee On
printing, wnc ccsIgnatcd the bills 70 re
printed; buI the Legislature found thar such
reference only oocasiored delay, and adopted
the rule to print all balls e public charae-
ter. He was inclined 10 think a charge to
the oil plan W0uld be change for the worse.
Mr. Rounds Of Chester said the tendency
Of the House was 70 lfgislate too hastily,
and that the printing of the bills was an I'M
portant aid 60 full Consideration. Many bills
which were not passed. had 10 them ideas and
sections that were Of value. which would
commonly he Lost if not printed The bill re
ported by the committee On education. last
year, illustrated the importance Of printing
the bills That bill WIS adopted without
having been printed, and, when passed, was
found to contain "a long .ecton which was
already in force as a part Of previous law.
Such a buugle was diseredItable /; but it
would probably have been noticed and rene
died If the bill had been printed. There
would. he thought, be no material saving oi
expense by the rule proposed and be
moved to amend by striking out the rule as
reported, and substituting the rule OF last
year, II quiring all public bills to be printed.
Mr.. Park thought the case alluded to
showed the need of a change. Under the
old rule, it seemed, tho edneation bill Of last
year was not printed, though several bills on
that subject whi,h were not adopted, were
printed. a committee on printing would,
undoubtedly, have recommended the printing
of the bull adopted, and prevented the
" bungle''
Mr.. johnson, who vas on the education
committee last year. agreed with Mr.. Park
bu, had only the plea Of haste to offer in ex-
PLANTATION Of the bungle.
Mr.. Ross of ST. Johnsbury seconded Mr..
Rounds's motion TO amend the report and
it was amended.
The Inauguration Of the Governor is
short process, and though a dignifed and
somewhat im1ressive proceeding. is not
very imposing ceremony, after all. The
Senate and House sitting IN joint Assembly,
Gov. Page was conducted to the front Of the
Speakers desk, by the committee appointed
for that purpose, and holding Up liz right
hand, the oaths were recited BY Lieut.. Gov.
Gardner, the retiring President Of the Sen
ate, requiring him to solemnly swear that
be will be true and faithful to the State Of
Vermont. and will not do anything directly
or indir,ctly injurious to the constitution or
government thereof, that be will faithfully
execute his ofice, and therein do equal right
and Justice to all men TO the best Of bis iudg
mcnt and ability according to law" and
that be will support the constitution and
government Of the United States The ut.
tering of the words Il do and the sub
scribing Of his name to the oath. constitute
the Governos part Of the ceremony, and he
then leaves the Hall The old custom was
for the Governor to read his m,ssage in per-
son. and 1t was revived by Gov. Fairbanks;
but has MT been followed by the other recent
governors. Coy. Pages mos-age, as usual,
was sent in by be Secretary and read by the
Clerk Of the House.
Every body is glad To find that the major-
ities for the State ticket overgo f-renty thous-
and. In these days Of party detection and
apathy. it is something to have one State
which can BE- pointed to as fright there
every time.