Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-11-13
OUR MONTPELIER LETTER.



somewhat startled last Thursday, by the
introduction of bill providing for the
formation of a new county, the shire town
of which should he Chester. OF course
they were familiar with the usual notice Of
such an intent, published in the newspa-
pers just prior to the assembling of sew
eral -four past Legislatures, hut had learn
ed to regard 1t rs harmless. The present
movement, however has assumed some
what threatening proportions. Folerun-
ners were sent TO prepare the way, in the
shape of an editorial from the Argus and
Patriot, and printed circular addressed
to The members Of the General Assembly,
detailing the undue hardships imposed up.
on the citizens OF the border towns of the
two counties, aud giving tables showing
the comparative distances Of the several
towns from the present and proposed coun-
tv seats.
The bill provides that the new county
shall be composed of the towns Of Audov-
err, Baltimore, Cavendish, Chester, Lud-
low, Plymouth, Springfield, Weatheisiield
and Weston in Windsor county, and Graf
ton, Londonderry, Rockingham aud Wind
ham in Windham county, aud shall he
known by the name of Allen county. 1t
also provides that the town of Chester
shall erect necessary buildings at its own
expense, and that the Probate District OF
Westminster shall be abolished. The
friends of the bill have procured strong
counsel aud are making great exertions TO
secure favorable report from the commit
tee to whom ii was referred. Its uppone Is
are equally active, and the many remon-
strances received from Windsor and Wind
ham counties, even including several Of
the towns to be set off, are expected to have
some weight. Whether the bill will pass
the House, or not, will depend on how ma
ny combinations its friends are able to
form with A. Is. G.. and d., each having
pet schemes of their own to put through.
The bill, introduced several days since,
providing for moving the capital to Bur
lington, has been withdrawn. Its intro
duction had the effect to cause two public
meetings. The citizens of Burlington met
and decided not to take the State House,
because the honor and advantage Of icing
the capital would not balance the expense
to be incurred in providing a suitable
building. portion of the citizens OF
Montpelier met the same evening aud con-
cluded not TO let the State House go, even
II they had to buy the shabby looking Pa
vilion, and erect on the site thereof re-
spectacle hotel. 1t is right that Montpel-
Ter should be scared enough TO provide
suitable accommodations for Legislators
and the travelling public.
This icing the last day, acc, riding to
previous resolution, upon which such busi-
ness could be done, one hundred and TWEEN
ty-three bills were introduced, making a
total OF six hundred and eighteen for the
session, of which not more than onc-lhird
have been finally acted upon. The re-
naming .our hundred, including nearly
all OF the most important bills, will have TO
be acted upon intelligently or otherwise,
during the eight days between now aud
the time fixed upon for final adjournment.
Fortunate, indeed, is it for the people OF
this State that they have so good aud care.
full a man as Gov. Peck to stand between
the Legislature aud the statute book. Care.
fully examining not only every act itself,
Ouk us DTODdDlt NOIhlnES, btlyIt ne SiElls
it, it need not be feared that he will give
his sanction to anything which is imprac,i-
cable or unjust.
The House refused, to-day, by the decis-
i've vote of nearly two 10 one, To increase
the salaries of the Judges OF the Supreme
Court. The farmers, as a class, thousht
their present salary sufficiently large /;
" hila al haFa with ri i'm
| ed that twenty-five hundred dollars per
year, considering the expenses necessary
| 10 he incurred in travelling and stopping at
hotels, is very meagre salary. The eec.
ton OF Judges is set dowh for Nov. II, at
which time II successor to Gov. Peck is to
be chosen. Speaker Powers has been sug-
| gested as candidate and, il he has aSpiTa-
lions in that direction, will probably be
elected, as he is very popular in the House,
| equally so with those who voted for aud
against him for Speaker. He is called IA
first class lawyer, is a ready and easy
| speaker, and certainly a most excellent pre-
siding officer.
The bill reported To the House by the
committee on education provides for the
abolition of the entire Board of Education
with its Secretary, and the substitution
therefor of a State Superintendent of In
struction, to be elected by the Legislature.
It further provides that county conven-
lions of superintendents aud the present
| text book arrangement shall be done away
with wholly, and teachers institutes in
part. Anything to beat the Board of Ed.
ucatiOn" is the war-cry, and the bill, either
in its present or an amended form, will
probably pass.
| Mr.. Cutting Of your town has introduce
ed bill in the House providing that saw
ings banks shall be taxed by paying into
the State Treasury yearly rates of three
fourths of one per cent ON all deposits, and
that the present system of taxing individ-
ual deposits shall be done away with. Such
law would place our savings banks upon
an equal footing with those of other States
and at the same time do away with the ne
cessity for the wiggling, twisting aud falsi-
flying 80 generally pracliced by many who
heve money to conceal. X.
|