The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-10-17
CORR EsPoNDENcE
the busincss-Lcgai Rate of Inter-
cst-RailrOad Fares and Ereights-
The Liquor Law-Rutinnd nunici-
pal Court-After Quacks-Southern
Outrages-Ebcs Senatorial Election
Legislative Business.

p"ThSes-hDc senatorial Election
Legislative Business.
MONTPELIER, Oct. 10.
whoever Is constant attendant upon |
the successive sessions of the Yer
mont legislature can predict very |
nearly the routine OF measures |
that will come in for good share of con-
slderation. But just the particular form |
in which they will be presented is not quite |
80 sure. In this respect the present ses-
sion is not dissimilar to its predecessors
for many measures that met with defeat
two years ago are now being pressed upon
the attention OF the legislature, with the |
hope on the part OF their particular friends
that there has been a change in public SEN
timent so that they will receive n more fa-
vorable consideration at the hands Of our
representatives,. OF this class il the cues
ton as 10 what ough to constitute the
LEGAL RATE OF INTEREST.
Nhilc other states are breaking down
the old established rate of six per cent. in
tercst, and allowing money lender, md
money borrowers to agree between them
selves as to what shall be tie consideration
PAID Tor the use of money. the "wisdom
and virtue" of Vermont have Iersistently
adhered to the teachings of the fathers aud
retained upon our statute books the same
six per cent. legal interest. notWith .iAud-
ing the stubborn fact that, in spite Of Old
traditions and in spite of law, no man can
borrow dollar OF money without agree
ing to pay from seven 10 ten per cent in-
terest therefor. Even our farmers. WHO
are as a class the loudest in opposition to
any increase in the legal rate Of interest,
and who persist in the belief that when
purchasing their farms on credit they pay
only six per cent. interest on the money,
entirely ignore the fact that those same
farms cost them at least one.third hghe,
than they would if our law was so changed
as that they could legally contract to pay
as high rate of interest as money COM
mands in the market. They would never
Tor an instant consent that the price of
their oats, or corn or potatoes should be
fixed by law; and yet they apply to the
owners of money rule that they would
be the first to repudiate if applied to them
selves, and, by their own shortsightedness,
retain upon the statute book law which
they are compelled to break every time they
become the borrowers of any considerable
amount OF money. To meet this iuconsis-
tency the bills introduced in the house by
MIR. Gillett of Richmond, and in the senate
by Mr.. Chessmore of Chittenden county.
should receive careful consideration. They
provide that, in the absence of any con-
tract, six per cent shall be the legal rate
OF interest," but permit parties. TO make
contract tor any rate not exceeding eight
per cent. Such bill ShouM become law.
and will probably receive the sanction of
the present senate; its fate in the house.
however, is matter of doubt.
Another matter that has been so long
and SO often considered is
RAILROAD FARES AND FREIGiITs,
Before the farmers of Vermont became
so largely dependent upon the grain grow
ing states of the West, and while they were
able to raise their own corn and wheat the
question of railroad freghts was one OF
minor Importance to them while the
manufacturing interests always have been
more or less affected by it. But now that
farmers and manufacturers have q com.
mon interest in the matter of cheap trans
portations, they are making common cause
in their warfare on what they seem to re
gardas their common enemy-the railroads
This feeling has found expression in tht
bill introduced in the senate by Mr.. hey
nolds of Grand Isle county, ito equalizt
railroad fares and frcights," and provides
that "no discrimination shall be made, d.
recty or indirectly, by way of abatement
drawback or otherwise, in charges or fa
cililies for transportation of freight or pas
sengers within this state; or coming from
or going TO any other state" and mo rail
road officer, manager, agent or employt
shall make any discrimination in charge!
or facilities for transportation, between
transportation companies, associations, cor
porations and individuals" and us penal!
ty for the violation of the provisions of Tho
act "shall forfeit all right to recover or re
ceive any compensation for service render
ed" and renders such violation misde
meanor punishable by fine and imprison
ment. Whether this bill will cover thu
ground of complaint against the railroad!
made by the marble and slate interests Of
Rutland county, l am not informed bu
it evidently aims at the same kind of evil
of which they claim that they are the vic
tins. 1t may be question worthy of Sc
rious consideration, however, just how fa
our legislature will be justified in intcrfer
ing with the rights and franchises of ON
interest or corporation, even though it b
a railroad, to protect the interest of anothe
corporation which is not railroad. | un
derstand that bill is being prepared 70
early introduction, similar to the so callet
potter Law" but doubt if it meets will
. general favor.
TIE LIQUOR LAW.
= The various amendments proposed to tn
present prohibtory liquor law, pretty clear
, ly define the Individual opinions of thei
t various authors, and in some instances ar
e designed to remedy real defects in the law
or to obviate clerical errors in amendment
that haYe from time to time been made t
i it. OF the latter class is the bill intro
q duced in the senate by MI. Walton O
= Washington county, the first section o
e which is as follows
SEC. /. In prosecutions and cases ansin
s under chapter ninety-four of the genera
statutes, and other acts in amendmen
thereof, OF in addition thereto or other act
5 to prevent the traffic in Intoxicating Ii
1 quors, no person, other than the respond
!, | ent shall be excused from tpstifvnp IN