Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-11-11

PROGRESS OF LEGISLATION. LegIsla-
rure is now in the fifth week of its existence.
Up to this time It's attention has been almost
wholly absorbed in the consideration and
disposal of corporation nets, fish bills, and
bills to change names, to legalize grand
lists. &c. But the indications are now ia
voIable for the early consideration of the
various public measures, which viii doubt
less be disposed of as expeditiously as may
be found practicable.
The principal event of the week has been
the report of the House Railroad Committee
on the bill for the extension of the Benning
ton and Rutland railroad TO the West Rutland
marble quarries The report was submitted
on Saturday last, and is quite lengthy doc
ument. 1t gives the main points in the ease
as presented in the hearings before the Com
nnittec, and concludes BY recommending the
passsge Of the bill. with several amendments.
The bill and amendments were taken up on
Tuesday afternoon, and Mr.. Park took the
floor in support of the measure. The debate
the bill will probably occupy nearly two
days.
consideration Of bill concerning the edu-
cation of children between the ages of six
and sixteen years The second section of
the bill which imposes penalties, ranging
from 81 TO go, upon the parent or guardian
of such boy may neglect TO attend school,
and which also makes it optional with the
justice before whom such boy is tried. to
II. Il g.
the second offense-has been strongly opposed
by several Senators on the ground that it is
unnecessarily severe upon both the youthful
offender and his parents. The bill may pass
the Senate by small majority, but its sue
GERS in the House is not we'll assured.
Among other measures. the bill relating
10 the rateOf interest has been defeated in the
House. This bill provided that it should be
lawful TO contract for payment and receipt
of any rate Of interest. The majority of
the House were however unfiinching in their
opposition to the bill. Many are in favor of
establishing the legal rate at :, $40 per
cent. but no further change will probably be
proposed during the present session
pleasant about these days, both underfoot
and overhead, and the clerk of the weather
gets ANYTHING but compliments from those
whose duties call them abroad at this season
1t has showed. and rained, and showed again
continuously and consecutively the past week
till everybody has a cold, is sick, or entirely
out of patience with himself and the world
in general.
Hen HAWK SHor.-On Saturday last !,
Charles ii. Ward, of Berlin, shot hen hawk
which was making burglarious attempts upon
young Wards chicken yard His hawkship
first swoop at large chicken, he confscated a
portion of the chickens crop, but failed in
taking off the body. On his essaying it a
second time, Mr. Ward was ready for him,
with his shot gun. and brought him ut the
first fire The hawk measured three feet and
Ieven inches from tip to tip.
eve notice that working agent of the
Vermont Conference Seminary is receiving
generous responses from members of the Leg
Islature, and that Prosper Merrill, Esq, OF
Reading, is down for $500 in aid Of the en-
dowment fund of the institution
A FEELING LErrER-The following lette
addressed To Lieut. g. G. Benedict, Cor
Secretary of the Vermont Officers Ret nior
Society, by the widow of Lieut.. Martin j
McMaDus, IN response to an invitation to tina
officer 70 be present at the last meeting o
the Society. but was received too late 70 b
read at that meeting.
New YoRK, Oct %, 1868.
GANrLExEN, The invitation sent to Lieut.
Martin J. McManus TO BE- present at the re