Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-11-27
ORR MONTPELIER LETTER.
MONTPELIER. Nov. %. 1874.


Editors Of PGnir Il doubt ir any set
Of homesiok school boys ever watched
more eagerly for the time of their home
going than most Of tho members of our
Legislature are now watching. or course
the wintry weather OF the past few days
contributes towards making longer stay
distasteful, but still to not so great degree
as does the general feeling Of disgust with
tho manner in which the law. making ma
chinery is run, aud the desire to be out OF
sight and hearing Of the log. rolling, inn
portunng, and bargaining so frequently
practlced aud so necessary in order to car
nv through measures which have no merits
OF their own on which to stand. | believe
1t has become our custom, rs we read of
legislative doings Of a doubtful character
Tn other states and at Washington, to thank
God that we are not like other people yet
l fear that a strictly impartial outsider, re-
siding in Montpelier during session time.
would advise that this practice be discon-
tinued, and that we should utter, biennial
ly at least, the cry of the poor publican.
The new county bill came before the
House on Thursday oflast week, and caused
the closest and most exciting days work
of the session thus far. Having the bene-
fit of favorable report from the commit
tee and the endorsement of most OF the
leading men in the House, II was evident
from the first that its friends would be
able to mako strong fight. The bill was
amended by the committee by leaving out
Athens and Westminster and including
Windham, and submitting the question to
two.thirds instead of two-frths vote OF
the towns included, in which shape it was
better calculated to receive support. The
discussion on both sides was able and
somewhat extended, lasting two or three
hours. The advocates of the bill strongly
appealed TO the House TO relieve them from
hardshps which were hardly secondary to
those endured by the first settlers Of the
State; and also to give them G place whore
the farmers of that section could come TO-
gether and bold their social gatherings and
agricultural fairs. The other side present.
eS'tne case from their stand point in as
strong a way as possible, but it is not prob
able that many votes were changed by the
discussion, as most of the members were
previously pledged. II took six yea and
nay votes every one of which was very
close, to effect the passage of the bill by a
majority of two. An analysis OF the vote
shows that nearly all of the members from
the smaller counties voted to make Wind
ham and Windsor smaller, and that the
largest county in the State voted unani-
mously in the same way, as did also our
neighbor Bennington. Five of the twelve
representatives from the proposed new
county voted against and strongly opposed
the measure. The Senate considers the
bill tomorrow morning. An immense
pressure has been brought TO bear upon
the Senators, from both sides of the case.
4 large portion Of Windham county is on
hand. Both sides claim a majority. 1t 10
thought that the hill has more than an even
chance to pass. And then the question -
will II receive a two-thirds vote at home :
Many think not. Springfield aud Rock
ingham will seriously object TO being made
tributary to Chester. Windham is solidly
against It, rs are also Weatherstied and
Ludlow in part.
noticed IN your columns, a few weeks
since, an extended description OF the pie
,,,,o ,o,.osa,,,i,,,, ,,,, vo.,,, .,,,,ia.r
49, 49,, ,,.1,- .,...,
~, ,..,,,.. g., ~ s,,,. A.,
although he agreed To paint the picture for
5000. yet by the request Of the auth critics,
and on the assurance Of Gov. Stewart that
tbe LEGISLATURE wopId nrobabIv do in.nv
by him. he made changes in his plon which
involved much larger expenditure. lie