Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-11-03
THE LEGISLATURE.
Lcttcr from Montpelier.
HoHoRs TO wINDHAM COUNTY NEW BILLS |
"A HINT TO DILAToRy MEMBERs-RE-
MAPPING THE STATE.

"A HINT TO DILAToRY MEMBERs-RE-
MAPPING THE STATE.
.....-.-.-.-M MONTPELIER, Oct. 81, 1873.
Editors of FhGnir In view OF the fact
that our pres ont LeEislnture is conceded 10
contain an unusually large number of able
and ext orienced men, the people OF Wind
ham County may well feel nattered that
their senators ard representatives have
beon accorded so prominent positions upon
the various committees, Senators Butter
field and Waterman, though much young
err in years aud legislative experience than
many of their fellow members, are placed
at the head, respectively, of the Judiciary
and Railroad Committees, tho two most
important ones of the Senate. Messrs.
Lynde of Wardsboro, franklin of Newfane,
and Martin of Londonderry, occupy the
Chairmanships of tho House Committees
on Ways and Means, Military Affairs, and
Elections. Mr.. Swain Of Rockingham is
second on the committee on Rules Mr..
Olmsted of Townshend, second on Educa-
ton Mr. Barrett of Grafton, second on
Claims; Mr.. Estey Of Brallleboro, is
member of the committees on Military AZ
fairs, and Public Buildings, also a joint
committee ON the Reform School; in fact
there is hardly prominent House Com
mitee 10 which the County does not con-
| tribute member.
The work of introducing new bills is still
prominent feature Of each days session,
aud will doubtless continue 10 be so, up TO
nearly the close. a large number of these
are in the form OF claims against the State
for services and expenses incurred in the
pursuit of criminals. 1t has become the
custom of persons who have performed
such services, and are unable 10 get their
pay elsewhere, to make out their bills for
an amount sufficiently large to cover the
real claim and all possible reductions, and
ask their Representative 10 perform the Of
tentimes tlisagreeabc duty Of securing if
he can legislative enactment for their re-
lief This, Of course, Involves the intro
ductiOn of Il bill, lis reference TO the Com
mittee on Claims, lis consideration by both
Houses, and if il stands fire, lis publication
at considerable expense, as ore Of the
laws Of the Stale 1t would seem that such
matters might as well be settled ny board
OF auditors appointed for that purpose, as 10
be allowed TO engross the attention of a
that such claims are of so varied nature
that no general rule could be established
by which 10 work.
Another large class Of bills is that intro
duced by persons, who, ia their experience
as selectmen, listers, supernt endents, etc,
have occasionally met with exceptional
cases TO which the existing laws do not APP
ply with sufficient force, and consequently
feel il their duty 10 try their hand at max
ing the necessary repairs. AS representa-
tive of this class might be mentioned the
bill providing that the monuments in our
cemeteries, valued at more than given
amount, shall he aitachablG for debts, the
same as any personal property. This bill
had its origin in the fact that some person
who erected a costly monument, has since
, been unable TO pay his debts; and is,
, doubtless, designed to prevent the prac-
tice becoming general OF persons investing
all their property IN such structures and
then going into bankruptcy. The Difficult
ty of framing law which shall do injus-
tice TO none, is illustrated in The fact that
, Mr.. Sheldon Of Rutland has introduced a
bill repeating the act of 1874, by the pro-
visions of which one half of the school
money should he equally divided among
=. several districts instead of a less portion,
as furmerly,-on the ground that in his
town, some of the smaller districts receive
for their share more than enough to sup
port their schools, and arc actually making
money out Of the Tax payers of Rutland vii
age.
, 1t seems that the newspapers of the State
-. are commenting (and none too soon) upon
the practice of large majority OF the mem
> bers, of leaving every Friday night, or Sat
urday morning, and not returning till the
NJ onday night following, thus virtually
stopping business one third orthe time. II
J. is somewhat amusing 10 see them vote
= down resolution TO adjourn over from
= Friday TO Monday, on the plea that the pub
lie interest requires an early completion o
their work and then pick up their satchel,
and start for the train. Saturday there were
less than one-third of the members present
and no business done, aside from the in
L PRODUCTION of bills. Monday it was no bet
Ter. Some OF the members take exception!
D TO the practice OF the clearinghouse keep
, ers here, claiming that they ought not L
. pay for seven days board when they receive
i only four in week but are met with th,
=, reply that it is no worse TO pay for food un
eaten than 10 receive pay for services un
performed.
The scheme Of Mr.. Henry Of Chester, 70
II remapping the the eastern part of the State
: is one of the principal subjects of con
II versation just now, especially by th
u members more particularly interested
81 At a meeting held Monday evening, a
. which were present about twothrds OF III
J members from the counties in whcl
l. changes are proposed 10 be made, the feel
II ing against the bill seemed 10 be almos
u unanimous, and resolution was carrie,
u asking the speaker TO refer The question {
a committee of the whole, ins lead Of spec
- ial committee from the west side of III
}. mountain, as Mr.. Henry desired. Orans
d and Orleans counties are as thorough
:; stirred up as were Windham and Windso
d two years ago, and the opinion seems I
u prevail that the measure will not be sue
10 cessful.
~ -----------.--=
"a NATIONAL THARRSGIVING.
The RresidentS PROCLAIM tIOn.