St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1867-10-18
For the Ca edoni.D.
The Legislature.
MoSIpEuER. Oct. Is. 1867.

MONTPELIER, Oct. Is, 1867.
Thus far the work of the Legislature
has been that of organization. This
generally occupies the first two weeks Of
the session. The readiness with winch
the legislature organized at the extra ses-
sion last March, dispatched important
business, think must have suggested &c
thinking minds the propriety of modify
ing the present system, that state officers
and members OF the general assembly shall
hold their office for two years, and there
by save every other year this two week:
time consumed in organization.
The present organization was effected
as speedily as could well be done. The
officers elected are mainly those of last
year, who were familiar with their duties,
and who entered upon their discharge
with alacrity. Yet so many new mem
bers were returned to the House that the
speaker, working with all diligence,
could not select and announce the stand
ing committees before Monday OF this
week. Ii has taken the same time to
constitute the committees of the senate,
where they are elected. One who knows
nothing of the machinery of legislation
might think, that this work being done,
some legislation could he accomplished
: the present week. But the committees
are TO be organized, the different men,
bers to become acquainted, State officers
are to he elected. business is to be intro
duced and got into the hands of commit
tees, so that the week will have closed.
before the work of legislation will fairly
have commenced.
The officers elected thus far have been
those Of last year with the exception OF
the chaplain of the senate. Hon. John
w. Stewart, speaker; John III, Flagg,
clerk, and Rev n r. Foster, chaplain
OF the house. Henry Clark, Esq. score
tarv of the senate, and Rev. Mr. Roberts
chaplain. The JOINT assembly to-day
reelected DR.. George Nichols secretary
of state; Ziblna Il. Camp, scrseant-at-
arms: Dugald Stewart, auditor OF ac-
counts Homer Goodhue. commissioned
of insane William W Wells. adiuIant
and Inspector general: L. L. Pitkin
quarterma>ter general, and David f
Atwood Judge advocate general. Th,
democrats put in nomination a candl-
date for secretary of state and auditor o.
accounts. l suppose this was done tc
show there WAS some OF that stripe lett il
the stale. Their candidate for the iirst
named office had l. votes. and for til,
last named office. ~ votes. The latter
is their tull strength, | believe, on JONI
ballot.
The business of the session has not de
vcloped Itself much vet. There hav,
been introduced three pretty >tringcn
bills relating 10 running competing line:
OF railroads in this state They attemp
TO reach companies out of the state. who
arc lessccs of roads in the state. The,
declare VOID all contracts between tw,
roads OF competing line by which tn,
through business is all 10 lie carried owe
that line, and make it miS,lcmeanor tc
make such contract. These are aimed al
the Troy X Boston and the SARATOGA anl
Rensselaer, roads. and came from mem-
bers of Bennington county Ii is quite
evident that the construction of the l.eb-
anon Springs road does not relieve them
Of all their difficulties
The Lamoille valley people are on the
alert, and have introduced bill for q
; charter OF I road from West Danville tC
Georgia. Ii was heard before the rail
road committee to-day. | understand nc
opposition was made before the commit
tee, and presume it will be reported IA
vorably tomorrow, and passed 10y the
house. | understand bill empowering
the towns along the line 10 aid in the
construction of the road will be intro
duced Immediately. That probably will
be examined more carefully, and may
meet with opposition, though think not
with serious opposition. Other railroad
projects | hear spoken OF which without
doubt will be presented soon.
The Historical society held lis annual
meeting this evening. The annual adj
dress was delivered by Hon. {. W. VIII
lard OF Montpelier His theme was the
present and future of Vermont 1t was
a very able and interesting address lie
urged the encouragement of manufac-
lures and internal improvements as the
only way TO build up and develop the
state, and to keep the sons of Vermont
within their native state The address
must be heard or read TO be appreciated.
l presume it will he published. A copy
OF 1t should be in tbs hands of every
} lover of the state Alter this address
Rev, lliny III. White, gave in his pecu-
ilarly Interesting style = biographical
sketch OF the life of the late William c.
Bradley, which will doubtless be pub
llSied also. The great time for visitors