Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-09-30

not , handsome manuscript. clear copy
is one of the most perfect securities against
fraudulent changes in the text of any law.
We have seen acts in the Secretary of State $
office, so blotted, blurred, interlined, and
erased, that changes of words or sentences
even, could be made without any possibility
of determining from the manuscript itself
what the law, as signed by the executive,
was indeed, we have seen laws in which
pencil had done the work of the pen. Some
times sections or parts of sections, have been
written upon separate pieces Of paper, and
p asted on the original, or sections have had
lines drawn through every word of the origi-
nal, and Il new section written between the
/ old lines. 1t is obvious that such bill or
act should be sent to Governor for his sig
nature. or signed by him if sent to him. The
State is able to have fair and clear copies OF
all legislative enactments made 6efore the
Governor is asked to sign them. If this work
is not to be done, the Office of engrossing
clerk might as well be abolished at once
and if it is to be done, it Will cost but little
more than now, to have it done as it ought
to be. The present clerical force is not sui
icient doubtless for the work, but Il trifing
increase Of pay would secure the extra clcri-
cal force needed during the last two weeks
Of the session We hope the coming Legis-
lature will institute this reform.
We give below the excellent summary from
the Free Press Of the most important bust
ness to come before the Legisiate
1t has to choose at this session, Senator Of
the United States. for six years from the 4th
Of March next. Fortunately on that impor-
tant matter, there is no question to divide
the Legislature. Hon. Geo f. Edmunds
who, having filled the Office for SIX months
previous, by appointment Of Coy. Dillingham;
to the vacancy occasioncd by the death Of
Senator Foot was elected to fiji the remainder
Of the unexpired term, receiving the unani
nous vote of his party. Oct. 23d. lS65,-and
who has since represented Vermont, and
served his country in the Senate with so
much ability, industry, fidelity and distinc
ton, will be reelected, as matter Of course,
without competitor, and with like unaninn-
ity.
OF matters of general legislation. several
new railroad charters are to be asked for
Poultnev. evidently to form a connection for
the Plattsburgh Road. and asked for appar-
entity more in the interest Of New York Com
panies. than Of Vermont another from the
" est Rutland Marble Quarries, 10 connect
with the Rutland and Bennington Road at
Rutland, in order that the Marble frcights
may not be longer monopolized BY a foreign
corporation another we suppose across
Windsor County, from East to West, to open
a section now without railroad facilities, an
perhaps others 1t is understood thata gen
eral railroad law VIII be introduced, giving
to all parties the right to build railroads un-
der certain restrictions similar to the law of
New York, which may dispose Of all these
applications Mt once.
We presume an attempt viii be made 10
repeal the law Of last fall, providing for the
equal distribution among creditors OF prop
erty attached niesHe process. Doubtless
the law might be simpliied and improved,
but we cannot believe the State viii return
to the old grab system.
We understand that the question Of a new
county in the south part of the State VIII be
brought up. Ii it were possible to rearrange
county lines throughout the State, 70 meet
the wants occasioned by changes Of business
centres and population since the railroads
were built, it would be most desirable
thing To do. But the number of counties
should be lessencd instead Of increases -
There should be fewer and better court houses
fewer and better ilis, fewer and better
lawyers, fewer sessions OF court, and more
time for the Judges to prepare their opini-
ions and with such changes for the bettera
great reduction Of expense - the State But
it IS hopeless ID expect such extensive chan
yes ut this session, if ever, and county lines
will remain rs before.