Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-11-28
RUTLAND HERALD.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1857,
The Close OF the General Assembly.

The Geuersl Assembly q Vermont
closed its annual session for 1867, on
Friday morning last, al one O'Clock,
leaving its impress for good or evil upon
the statutes of the Common wealth. It's
last hours were characterized with much
less OF haste than had been anticipated,
ample time being allowed for its Gus
tomary occasion OF amusement In the
form OF mock session, which was pre-
sided over by several gentlemen, both In
and out of the Legislature-and Is re-
ported TO have been less spirited than
some OF former years. There was little
OF excitement attending the discussions,
except in the Senate. A bill had come
from the House for equallzlng trans
portation Of freights on railroads, which
was urged with some degree OF peril.
nacity by the people Of Montpelier and
the northeastern section of the State
alleging that exorbitant and unjust
tariffs on freight existed upon the rail.
roads in that portion OF the State, and
by this bill sought to remedy the evil.
Soon after joint resolution came from
the House, providing for the appoint
ment Of 5 commission consisting OF five
persons to equslize and correct the ex-
istipg evils and report to the next Legis-
lature authorizing them to summon be.
fore them persons to give testimony in
relation TO the subject. These two
measures were referred to the committee
on railroads; they reported the bill first
with 8 substitute, which was in effect
the present statute In relation to freights,
but with heavier penalties; the substi-
tute was agreed to, but the bill as
amended was finally defeated by large
majority. The committee reported
against the adoption Of the resolution
for the appointment 0: 8 commission
and il also was defeated. Il there are
evils existing in reference TO the trans
portation Of freight and passengers on
our railroads which need legislative
interference, the late period Of the SEES
sion that it was presented made it en-
tIrely impracucable TO perfect the meas
ure IS it should have been without hav-
ing done great Injustice to our railroads,
and tie bill as 1t was framed would
haveatf0rded little relief to the people, as
it could only be made applicable within
the State.
1t is very doubtful in our judgment
whether legislation can adjust freight
tariffs and make them equitable; and If
they are to make them 81 all, it must be
through q commission Of competent
gentlemen thoroughly acquainted with
all the details OF Railroad management
thus avoiding doing injustice to the seve-
raj competing roads, and meet the views
Of the people. Therefore it was wise that
the Legislature should have dismissed
the consideration Of the subject at that
stage G. the session, when 10 tune re-
manned to perfec. any important meas
ure.
Severa, important measaIes have been
enacted, which, II it prove tacy have
been properly framed, will no DOUBT be
bentfca. to the business aud welfare Of
the State, in the way OF encouragement
to the Introduction Of manufactures, -
tQua. distribution Of the effects OF in.
solvent debtors-the modification Of the
School laws, and several provisions to
encourage the formation 0. Central
Schools, and the more thorough educa-
ton OF Teachers, and various o'her i'm
provements which we have not time to
discuss at present, but must present them
more distinctly hereafter.
Although there has been much Of what
has been termed special or local lrgisla-
ton, yet the public statutes have been
Of a more important aud liberal charac-
ter than for many years before, for
which much is due to the broad and lib.
eral recommendations Of the Governor,
in the Annual Message. And II they
prove when carried into operation, as
their trainers Rave reason TO suppose,
Vermont will make 3 progress under
them that will exceed that of the past.
We believe that the Legislature Of 1857,
will have an important Bearing upon our
State, in all its material interests and
the people, after 3 fair trial OF their en-.
ac.ments, will award them the credit
that will be justly their due, for their
faithful! labors, and useful public ser
vices