Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-11-25
THE RUTLAND HEKhU.
TUESDAY, NoJEMBEa 20, 1899.
The General Assembly of 1868 was one

The Late SEES zion of the Legislators.
The General Assembly of 1868 was one
OF peculiar type. 1t was legislature
prominently in the interests of the
people rather than devoted to special
legislation, which has been popularity
Of several within the last few years. The
enactments of general character have
been quite numerous and are calculated
to meet den and that has been growing
for some time. The creating Of degrees
in the crime of murder, virtually abolish
ing the death penalty except in extreme
cases: the amendment of the laws relat-
ing to the traffic in intoxicating drinks,
which will lead to the more prompt and
effectual execution of the prohibitory
law; the encouragement of manufactures,
by the exemption of new establishments
from taxation for term of years, which
will have tendency to bring to our
State and foster these, new branches of in
dustry, and the amendment of the school
laws, are all instances of the general laws
that are promotive of the public interests.
There are amendments of the laws that
are of great value, especially that of the
general corporation law that will facili-
tate the. organization OF private corpora
tons, thus cutting off the private acts
that have encountered the sessions of late
and Were rapidly on the increase, and
which have seldom been made available
In general retrospect of the whole field
it is our deliberate Judgement that the
interests of the people and of the State
have been advanced by the legislature of
1860.
Several measures Of Importance failed
for want, rs we believe, Of a liberal ap-
probation of their merits by our legis-
lators ara foremost among them was a
refusal to increase the rate Of interest BY
contract, which must hive i leleterious
effect upon the business Of the community.
for willie our present l4W stands upon the
statue book money will ok investment
elsewhere. thus creating !, constant drain
upon the surplus funds. which works a
vast injury 10 ajIr IN inufacturing. quar-
rying and mining interests Il seems an
anomaly for a State to pass laws for the
encouragement Of manufac tures and at
the same time drive capital out of the
State by a refusal to so regulate its usury
laws "a To make them equitable. and
place it within the power of business men
II carry on their employments in such a
manner as to benefit the community and
Increase the wealth Of the State. 1t is
said upon creditable authority that while
the Legislature was endeavoring to regu- |
late the law OF interest that from one
town in this county seventy thousand
dollars sought Investment in the West, T
nearly all of which would have been
loaned at home under a contract system of
eight per cent But time will teach the /
lesson, that will awaken the people 10 the .
Importance of this question.
Gov. Washburu, like lis immediate
predecessor. Gov. Page, has been very
watchful Of the laws as they were pre-
,ented TO him orapproval Both Of these
gentlemen had the independence to exer-
Else the veto power TO stop hasty, i'll
Judged and imperfect legislation Gov
Washburn has inaugurated his first term
with much approval and shown himself
to be a. man Of order. system, and execu-
i've ability, and tho courtesy and prompt
ness With which his -ecretary of civil and
military affairs, John ". Marsh, Esq, has
performed the duties assigned him, have
done much "a promote the efficiency Of
the transaction Of public business.
The prompt and excellent manner in
which Lieutenant Governor Hendee has
presided over the deliberations OF the
Senate have indicated that be was we'll
qualified for the high position 10 which
he people Of the Commonwealth had
allied him, while the admirable manner
N which Hon. G torgo \. Dale, the Presi
lentplo te9tpor., IN the absence II the
pr. ding officer, presided over IT. deliber-
.lion-, has gi.eu ths senate two officers
# rlre qualifications in tie exercise Of
he dutie, iinpo-ed upon them.
The unfortunate Illness IF the Clerk Of
ne House, which for time it was feared
gould amb4rras- The public business,
iroved otherwise. The efficient manner,
II which the Fret Assistant Clerk, Horny
& Newell Il aholburn, supplied the
sacaucy undar great embarrassnnent-,
gave general satisfaction, and il worthy of
III COMMUNICATION, which is most freely
awarded him on all sides
Hon George W. Grandey has added
fresh laurel- to his we'll earned reputation
as pre-iiiue officer and parliamentarian,
ia tie discharge Of bis duties as Speaker Of
he House. His colleagues, during the
dosing hours of the session, recognized
MS valuable services 10y bestowing upon
lim well merited testimonial OF their
appreciation Of his labors Our own l
Col. Charles II. Joyce, in
he absence of the Speaker, was frequently
JAILED upon to preside over the House,
which duty was by him performed with a
.eady knowledge of the order, rules and
practice of parliamentary bodies, indi-
'ating to his colleagues that he pos {
'eased eminent qualifications for the
position. Col. Joyce has well represented !.
he interests of his immediate constituents,
and advocated all measures which he
deemed TO be for the best interests Of the !
people and the Common wealth c
Col Merrill and Dir. Copeland, the two J
Senators from Rutland County who were
present, performed their labors in man.
aer creditable to their constituents and
themselves Col. Merrill, as member of
me Of tho most important committees,
saved much expense in the passage of un-
necessary laws, which were already am
l. IL f. l.. al -. x,ko 1