Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-11-01
SENATE.

mittee on judiciary.
No 80 to authorize the removal OF
distractions from Wild Branch; to
general committee.
No. 81 amending sec |, chap 80,
general statutes, of societies for the
support of the gospel and literary
and other associations; to committee
on education.
No. II in addition to sec 81, chap.
SO, general statutes, relating to the
grand list; to committee on taxes.
Bills introduced and referred-By
Mr.. Dale to amend an act entitled an
act relating to flowing; to committee
on printing.
Reports-From committee on print
ing, in favor of printing $50 copies OF
senate bill No. %, of "offen noes
against chastity, morality and decen-
cy."
Bill Passed-H bill No 9, in rela-
ton to divorce. .. .....-
HOUSE.
Bills introduced and referred.-By
Mr.. Ross of st. Johnsbury, laying a
tax on the county Of Caledonia; to
committee of members from that coun-
ty.
By Mr.. Foster of Calais, relating
to the weight of oats go lbs. to bush
ell; to committee on agriculture.
By Mr.. Ferrin of Montpelier, to am.
end sec chap Sc G S, relating to the
descen of property; to Judiciary
committee.
Bills passed-H. 80 charging the
jurisdiction of justices of the peace
in certain cases; II Al in addition to
sec. 81 chap. SO general statues, in
relation to mechanics liens; II 81 to
amend sec. chap. so general stat
utes, entitled Of societies for the sup
port of the gospel and literary and
other associations.
Special order-H SO to amend
chap. Is general statutes, relating to
the election of listers, was taken up.
Upon the inquiry of Mr.. Marvin of
Alburgh, Mr.. Rounds Of Chester, from
the judiciary com. explained the rea-
sons that induced the committee to
report against the bill-that under
the law as it now stands, listers can
be elected as many years as the town
choose if found to discharge the duties
acceptably to the town, and that nc
change of law was necessary to reach
the object designed by this bill.
Mr.. Marvin said he thought the
passage of the bill would tend tC
equalize taxation-a result that thus
far has been difficult to reach The
multiplicity of the bills that from
year to year come before the legis
lature showed plainly that there was
an unequal working Of the presen
system of listing and the Legislature
ought to make the Office less unstable
Towns that have retained listers il
Office for long time had been yer.
ludicious, and all towns ought to b.
required by law to make the offic
more stable The changing of Onl
one lister each year, and retaining
the other two in office, gave the boar,
of listers the benefit Of more exper
ence than where the listers are chang
ed entire every year. 1t would lea
to more care in the selection Of sui
able men for the Office, and we shout
hear of less complaint on the groun
of the unequal working of our listn
laws, and men could not so easil
keep their property out of the gran
list as under the law as it now exists
He referred TO the form of oath +,
quired to be taken by the listers, an
the fact that the practice has been
set real estate in the list at very muc
lower than its actual value, and tn;
the oath prescribed in the bill requi
ed the listers to certify that they hay
set the real and personal property Q
the towns at the full cash value Their
Of This bill would tend to establi>
uniformity and stability between Il
various towns of this State.
Mr. Ross Of St. JohnSbury alludt
to the second section as objectionabl
providing that the listers shall
sworn, but does not require them
certify to the correctness of the Ii
they have made. The law now l
quires real estate to be apprised
the value it would be were it to
set off on execution. This bill
rather a letting down than raisi
of the standard of performing t
duties Of the Office Of listers. TIL
again, it is singing out the particul
Office of listers and making a differe
rule for them than for the other to-
officers. Better leave it to towns
elect their listers as at present p
vided, and thus place their contil
ance in Office solely on the ground
competency.
Mr.. Marvin thought that other to
oflicers--selectmen for instance
ought to be elected for lorger ii
than one year, and that we ought
to object to the passage of this bill
cause it was an innovation upon
established usages of the towns un,
the present law. So far as the O
is concerned, the listers, under
usages of the present law, subscril
the oath with great reluctance, and
conscientious man could do it at
The present bill would obviate
difficulty.
Mr.. Ferrin of Montpelier replied
the assertion Of Mr.. Marvin, that
der this bill we should have more
bility in our lists; and also, tina
conscientious man could not subscr
the oath under the present usages
our listers. He thought that the
mission Of parole evidence to 81