Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-10-27
THE RUTLAND HERALD
Notes from the Capital.
STATE OFFICERS.

current 1CLIOH. L no bShl4h . VA bAAASO NV 80
the probable cause of the postponement,
as that bill is still pending between both
Houses on amendments which make some
changes in essential features and in the
number of Judges. The canvass, how
ever, among the candidates, remains with
little change. No candidate is named at
least against the courteous and accom-
plished Secretary of State, Hon. George
Nichols Of Mortified, whose efficiency,
correctness, urbanity and thorough know
ledge of the details and papers of the
State Department, make it eminently
proper that the Commonwealth should re-
tain his services, and that, too, with the
compliment OF a unanimous reelection,
which the General Assembly will honor
themselves and him by giving. The Au-
ditorship of Accounts still remains be-.
tween Mr., Ferrin and Gov. Slade.
A contest for the Office of Sergeant-at-
Arms has sprung up within a few days.
u. O. Camp, The present efficient incum-
bent, IL a candidate for reelection. We
presume this is, as usual, Montpelier
local fight for spoils. Mr.. Camp has
been very prompt and economical officer,
saving much money to the State over his
two immediate predecessors, at least.
Prudence and economy have marked bis
administration, while at the same time
no pinching "penny-wise pound foolish"
policy has been pursued. Mr.. II. L
Carlton, T. O. Phinney and Col. A. G.
Brown are named as opposing candidates.
Ii a change is to be made, Of which no
necessity seems to exist, Col. Brown
would make q competent official Pre-
dic'ion ia made that Mr.. Camp will be re-
elected by large majority. This is an
Office that few but the people of Mont
pelier manifest much interest in, except
to have its duties efficiently and eoonom-
ically performed. 1t is among the loaves
ind fishes belonging to the capital. We
hear our highly esteemed townsman, Dr.
Lorenzo Sheldon of West Rutland, named
"a a candidate for Commissioner of the
Insane. His long experience as medi-
cal practitioner, observation of insanity,
and high character, all combine to com
mend him to the favorable consideration
of the General Assembly.
THE INTEREST QUESTION.
The subject of changing the legal rate
of interest excites much discussion both
without and within the halls of legis-
lation. The proposition that obtains most
favor is the one leaving the rate at 6 per
cent, and allowing it by contract to be
made 8 per cent. There is great oppo-
sition to any change, the vote on the ques-
ton, however, will be close in the House.
tits evident that some measures should
on this subject. The legislature has been
authorizing the Treasurer of the State,
Railroad and other corporations to borrow
at seven and three-tenths per cent, yet at
the same time a statute which stands side
by side says to the Vermont man if you
take more than six per cent you must suf-
fer the penalty of the law. The law
making power says to the State you may
pay more than the legal rate of interest
but says to the citizen you must not lend
to the State at more than the legal rate.
Let us have consistency in our laws or
blot all laws relating to usury from the
statute books.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
BY Senator Pingry, that Assistant
Judges OF the County Court may charge
in addition to per diem and travel fees,
reasonable expenses, not exceeding one
dollar per day.
BY Senator Graudey, allowing town or
city clerks for the examination of records
at any one time, fifty cents, and if the
time spent shall exceed one hour, twenty.
five cents for each additional hour spent,
and fees may be required in advance.
By Senator Bailey, providing that in
appeals from the judgment of Justices o.
the Peace in civil cases, that If neither
party shall enter appeal in the court t
which it was taken at the next stated
term thereof, the said Justice, after the ad
iournmeut Of the court, may issue hi
execution, in due form of law, in favor O
lhe phIlJ INA NHSu& ubEilthb " no lSii
dered for the amount of such Judgment
with - per cent. interest thereon, TO
gether with such additional costs as hav
been made in good faith since the time 0
rendition thereof, and such proceeding
shall have the same effect as an affirma
ton of the judgment, to preserve all lien
and securities which the plaintiff in tn
action appealed from might have for tn
~ tdf,.,t IS 80 4ahF ~ 1sshS
the officer serving the original process, c
the liability of bail, receiptors OF property
or other persons, and an execution, with
in thirty days after the adjournment
court to which such appeal is taken, sha
have the same effect in law to presery
liens, or charge bail or the officer servin
the writ, as though the same was issue
within thirty days after the rendition
judgment.
By Senator Hastings, was introduced
bill providing for ehattel mortgages, gil
ing description of property in an instr
ment in writing signed IN presence of tw
witnesses and recorded in Town Clerk
Office in the town in which the owner r.
sides, which shall operate the same as
the property were delivered into the pc
session OF the mortgage, for one yea
abl may Bb G0 dL lb0 Gnu Vi u
year by making certificate on the ma
gin of the record that the debt or d
finite portion of it remains unpaid. I'll
mortgage of household furniture necessar
for upholding lite and such furniture
is exempt from attachment by law sha
be operative under the provisions of IL
act.
By Senator Pingry, that any persc
who shall sell any fire. cracker, squib, Sc
pent, rocket or torpedo, or any person WI
shall set fire to either of them shall
liable TO fine not exceeding ten dollar
By Senator Carpenter, providing thi
no person other than the respondent sha
be excused from testifyipg tor the reaso
that his testimony may tend to criminal
himself. This applies to prosecutions #
selling, furnishing or giving away intox
eating liquor. The bill provides that Il
witness shall not be prosecuted for IL
acts in regard to which he has testified
Senator Heath has introduced an in