Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-12-24

DOtn Drhncneb OF Tue leBlnlhluI' ii'o i"iiJ IN
much in the direction Of unwise Legislation
prevented as in that of important measures
enacted-not less than 200 bills having been
killed in both houses-and this fact is no
small testimonial to the care with which our
legislators have proceeded The general ten
dency of the legislation is in the direction
of n wise economy, and it is estimated that
20 to % bills have passed one or both houses,
each of which will stop some leak and re-
duoe our state expenses in the sum of $1,000
to $1,000. The bill doing away with the
court auditors and placing the work hereto
fore done by them in the hands of the state
auditor is an illustration; the saving here eff
fected is upward of $4,000.
II one were looking to see how all the time
of the session has been used he would find
at once that not less than full week has
been occupied in the discussion Of the sub
ect of taxation, to say nothing of the time
spent in the consideration Of this matter in
the committee room The result of this
work, 50 far, has been the passage by the
House. with certain amendments, Of the tax
bill reported by the Graud List committee
aud known as blouse bill 44i," the main
features Of which we're given in our Montpe-
lior correspondence two weeks ago. The
passage was finally accomplished on Monday
after four days holly contested debate.
bill substantially the same as this passed the
Senate on tho same day, the only essential
difference between the two being that the
House bill proposed to let real estate stand
at ITS present valuation during the present
quadrennial term, while the $ nate bill pro.
vid-d for Il new appraisal Of real estate Tor
the lists OF 1881 and 1882 On Tuesday the
Senate passed the House bill, amending it
only on this point OF a new valuation Of r.ul
estate. To-day the House has concGrr,d in
the Senate amendments and the bill goes to
the Governor for his approval
On Tuesday the subject of taxation came
up in the House in new and radical form.
At the morning session eX Gov. Page Of Rlt-
land, chairman of tho Ways aud Means com
mittee, reported bill for the support of the
state government in which was incorporated
provisions for the taxation Of the gross
ceipts Of railroads, Insurance.. telegraph aud
express companies. OF national bank shares,
and placing the rate of taxation on savings
Dhukb deposits at One-nau OF one per cent.
| semi-annually.
Tha debate on the bill called out all the
prominent talking members and gave an ex-
cellent opportunity to notice their varying
characteristics. Elk Gov. Page led, of course,
with an explanation of the provisions of the
bill, the purpose Of which, he said was to
make the several classes Of corporations
| pauaH ma a mat gLara Of lav alinp Thanh,
son Of Irasburg, who although young man
Of only 80, is easily one Of the most inhuen-
tial men ON the floor, as he is also one of the
most studious and full, promptly followed
raising the objection that the proposed new
methods Of taxation appeared as rider to
an appropriation bill course always to be
condemned Grout of Newport and Howe
Of Ludlow opposed the bill on the same
ground Fifeld Of Montpelier thought that
discussion would show the bill too crude and
unsatisfactory, that the matter was not one
TO be hastily jumped at and that the only
right way would be TO refer it to a competent
commission to consider and report at the SEES
sion of 1882 Palmer Of Jericho, who is,
perhaps, the most finished and graceful
speaker on the floor, thought that the House
bill 44i would reach the very classes Of prop
erty here aimed at, and Col Hooker raised
the point that the special taxation Of Nation
al banks was unconstitutional and had Just
been 10 decided by the courts OF New York.
Battell of Middlebury, reported TO be the
wealthiest man in the House, favored the
bill because he thought the people demanded
some legislation of this kind and one or two
other gentlemen spoke in its favor. 1t was
finally made a special order for the evening
session. The result of the evening discussion
was vote to dismiss the bill, Gov. Page
changing his vote at the last moment so as to
move reconsideration. This he did at to-
days session, and was again defeated. I'm
fortunately for him and his influence, Gov.
Page early in the session developed q dspo.
sition, which he has since kept up, to lecture,
threaten, or "bulldoze" the House, upon oc-
casion and the result has been that his
championship of any measure has come to be
almost equivalent 10 its defeat His usual
tactics were displayed n his support of this
measure when hc threatened that unless the
bill passed the appropriations might fail and
and an extra session be necessary. The
|
summarily ordering the ways and means com
mittee to report a resolution with appropria
tions for the support of government.
The charter for the Brattleboro a Vernon
railroad, with the amendment providing thai
parallel road may also be built from Brat
tleboro to Bellows Falls, has awakened
lively contest between the parties interested
on both sides. Although the joint commit
tee on railroads had already agreed to report
favorably on bill granting the charter, will
the amendment attached, IA further hearing
was granted, at the request of the Connect
cut River interest, on Monday evening, wheI
ex Gov Page of Rutland and A. b. Harris o
Springfield, Mass, representing the Vermont
Valley and Connecticut River roads, appear.
ed in opposition to the amendment and asked
a continuance of the hearing alleging thai
they had had insufficient notice and no timt
for preparation. Notwithstanding the very
brief time left, in case the session closes th
week, continuance was granted till Tuesday
noon and then till Tuesday afternoon at
o'clock At the latter time Page and Harr
appeared with counsel to oppose the amend
ment and Judge Poland and other counse
appeared in the interest of the Central Yer
mont. The latter company stated through
their counsel in plain and open terms that
finding the people of Brattleboro very any
ious for competition in freights, they had nj
, disposition to try to block any fair projec
for such competition and that they should on
. ly ask that a chance be given to establish
, competition north as well rs south. II the,
| could have the privilege Of building parable
, line north to Bellows Falls they should rails
no objection to the Connecticut River or an!
other company building south to South Yer
. non. The Connecticut River interest OF
| the contrary. was anxious TO Kill the Who'll