The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-10-29
From the Capitol,


The fourth week Of the session has
passed and comparatively little has beer
done. The legislators seem generally in
clned to be faithful and Industrious and
the desire to have an early adjournment
appears to oe general. But this matter is
not entirely in the hands Of the members
The hard work is always done by few
the others exercising only veto power
doing important work in this respect, how
ever, for so carefully do they watch the
interests Of the people that no measure
which in their judgment would be ipiuri'
Gus escapes them.
At this writing down, 50 bills have
originated in the Senate. seven of which
have passed both houses, aud been
approved by the Governor. Some
seven or eight more, have passed the Sen
ate, while few have failed to come to q
third reading.
One hundred and ninety seven bills
have originated in the house, Of which
thirty.six have passed. some Of them ai-
ter amendment, and been sent to the Sep
ate for concurrence One only Of these
has come to grief in the upper house, as
yet. Some twelve have been passed IN
concurrence, and five have already been
approved By the Governor. Eleven
proved abortions in coming from the
committees and Que was strangled by the
House before taking its first breath.
Several matters Of considerable impor-
lance, and causing no inconsiderable ex-
element have been under consideration
in the committee rooms during the past
week. a bill for recognizing the YER
mont Central Railroad Company, under
the name of the Central Vermont Rail.
road Company, has brought Cows Stew
art, Underwood and Smith and other
prominent railroad men to the Capitol
during the last two weeks 1t is now
prouaoie tue ulil VIII pass, ana become
law. 1t appears to be entirely uuobjec.
tionable, and will relieye the Vermont
Central Of its present embarrassments.
The bill for the abolition of capital
punishment was refused the third reading
last Thursday afternoon, in the House,
bat this action was rccorsidered Friday
morning, and it was made the special order
for this week Wednesdayat eleven o'clock
a. m. The first action was so sudden as
to take the friends Of the bill by surprise.
1t is said that Messrs. Buel of Middle
town, Henry of Chester, Buttericld Of
Wilmington, and Stanley of Leicester,
will advocate it. and that Mr. Stevens OF
Westminster, Haskius Of Brattleboro.
Davis of Danville, and Wild of Crafts.
bury, will take strong grounds against it.
1t has no chance for success, and its
friends only hope to make demonstra-
ton which will have some effect in the
future.
The interest bill which was introduced
by Mr.. Butterfeld, will be considered
this week. 1t provides that the legal
rate Of interest shall be six per cent, un-
less some other rate is agreed upon. The
Senate have also similar bill in consi1.
Grafton. The committees will hcld juiot
meetings for its consideration this " rex
One of the exciting matters Of last
week was proposition to divide 'ho
town Of Westminster The hearings
we're prolonged to quite late hours, aud
considerable feeling was manifested by
the remonstrants who reside in the cast
parish. Thee is no doubt but that ma
ture designed it for two towns, and we be-
believe the divorce shonld be granted.
AS 1t Is now the voters Of the west parish
have to 60 from nine to twelve miles to
attend town meetings
The railroad committees Of both houses
were in session two evenings last week to
hear arguments upon the general railroad
law proposed in the Senate. 1t meets
with considerable opposition, but we think
it will carry.
The scheme to refund Communication
money paid by drafted men, meets with
but little favor and rightly so. The
claim should be presented to the national
Congress, and not to the State. 1t would
open the door for claims to the amount of
several millions Of dollars if this were al
lowed.
On Friday there was little manoeu.
vering in the House which discovered
shrewdness hardly expected of such
green legislators. Some members de.
sired to oppose further appropriation
for the the soldiers memorials, voted in
1870, but did not wish to put themselves
on record against it, So an amendment was
offered, giving unlimited power to expend
money for this purpose by the Adjutant
General. 1t was hoped to carry this
amendment through the zeal of the friends
OF the measure, then to defeat the bill on
account of this obnoxious feature, But
it didn't work.
The amendment was voted down and
by demanding the yeas and nays, these
opposers were compelled TO vote for the
Objectionable measure, or stand upon the
record as opposed to it. Quite large
number did not vote, but no one had the
temerity to vote nay.
The bill for state police is, we think,
gaining friends, and the prospect is good
for a successful issue, so far as the House
is concerned The result is more doubt
full In the Senate, though the friends of
the measure are confident of victory even
there, 1t is to be hoped it may pass.