Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-11-29


ment of the Legislature was half-past ten
this, Wednesday morning. Many of the
most important matters under consideration
were as usual, left to be crowded through at
the last moment, aud it is therefore impossi-
bic to give this week n complete summary of
the work accomplished.
The joint committee on the insane asylum
submitted their report last week The docu-
ment is very brief, and, in effect simply en-
dorses the report and recommendations of the
governors special commission of which we
spoke at length last week One sensible ad-
ditional recommendation, however, is that the
insane convicts be kept in suitable quarters at
| the state prison, instead of at the asylum
| Senator Writer'S of the committee in minor
ty report, dissents from the recommendation
for the construction Of State asylum, and
thinks that If the convict insane were kent
elsewhere the Brattleboro asylum would fur
nish sufficient accommodations for all the le-
gitimate State patients. The request of the
managers for increased pay for the care of the
State patients was reported on adversely.
Bills upon general matters pertaining to the
insane were introduced, but We are not yet
informed rs to their disposition.
The bill for State board of health, and that
in the interest of anatomical science, giving the
bodies of deceased persons having no friends
to care for or bury them, to physicians for
| dissection, were both lost The House refus-
ed to pass the resolution abolishing the State
board of Agriculture.
The committee to consider the feasibility of
charging the State House reported that al.
though they recognized the need of such an
addition, they did not think the appropria-
ton for the building should be made this
year. and their sentiment was concurred in by
the House
On Thursday of last week, in joint assembly,
| Senator Webster of Putney was elected rail.
road commissioner on the seventh ballot. L.
P. Poland of st. Johnsbury, Roswell Farm
ham of Bradford and Justus Dart of Wealth.
ersfeld have been eleoted,trustees OF the Yer
mont University and State Agricultural col
lege.
The bill of the Boston, Hoosic tunnel and
Western railway company has passed both
branches. 1t authorizes the company to use
the rights of way of the Troy and Boston rnil-
road for their cuts, slopes and embankments,
confirms their location as they are now build
| ing their road, and authorizes them to take
the depot grounds at Pownal, and to come
within seven feet of the rails at the state line
of Massachusetts and Vermont
Governor Proctor has appointed, and the
Senate have confirmed, for Trustees of State
Prison and Workhouse, w. II. H. Bingham of
Stowe two years N. p. Simons of Rutland,
| two years j. G. Parker OF Hartford fonr
years.
Governor Proctor last week sent in a veto
of a bill passed by the Legislature limiting
the time allowed for the presentation of
claims of soldiers for arrears of State pay
OF the fund collected during the war under
| the States offer Of bounty to encourage en-
listments it appears that the sum of $40, 900
is now due and unclaimed, and the Legisla-
| ture proposed that no claim should be good
| against this fund unless presented before
| June list, 1879. The Governor says that the
money, in each case, has belonged to the sol
der ever since he performed the service, and
that the people of the State, or the Legisla-
ture have no more right 10 it than TO any
other money which falls into their hands for
safe keeping Some of the claims are insig-
niicant in their proportions, but Governor
| Proctor, with honest indignation, hopes that
the time will never come when statute of
limitation, passed after the debt is contracted,
shall be thrust in the face of soldier or his
family to bar an honest claim, however
small"
The House bill taxing savings banks de-
posts one-half of one per cent, passed the
Senate on Friday. After quite a contest both
branches adopted joint resolution granting
Miss Hemenway $1,000 with which to publish
the two last volumes of the Vermont Histori-
cal Gazetteer.
Dispatches this, Wednesday, morning state
that bill providing for one person, to be APP
pointed by the Governor, as Superintendent
of Agricultural Fairs, at salary of Sl4OO per
year, and abolishing the old Board of Agri-
culture, passed both houses.
During a recess in last nights night session
! Speaker Martin was presented with an elegant
silver service and beautiful gold watch
Doorkeeper Skeels was presented with a sill
yer watch, and Clerk Newell with silver
service.