St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-12-17
The Legislature.

Legislation at Montpelier is not in so
forward a state as to indicate a final
adjournment this week. There are yet
many measures of great weight to be
considered and acted upon, many of
which will undoubtedly involve pro-
traeted discussion before being decided.
Hayden's Communication is to be cOnsid-
cred in the Joint committee tonight
and the result will probably be report
ed to morrow. They will probably de-
eide to recommend no action, but
should they advise a Communication the
limit to the discussion could not be ca
silly fixed. That many of the members
have had their sympathies awakened
is evident, but it is not expected that
the legislature will interfere with the
execution of the law.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Hooker,
Saturday, to exempt from taxation
mOrtgaged real estate to the value of
$500 was sharply debated in thin
house and will undoubtedly create talk
when it comes up again. 1t is an I'M
heard-Of thing in this state to exempt
real estate from taxation. This gues-
ton of taxation will also he discussed
when the bill to have sworn inventories
made out by each taxpayer is consid
cred. 1t is modelled upon the New
Hampshire law which has not been a
great success and will provoke strong
opposition. This will come up Tuesday
or Wednesday.
Mr.. Judevine's bill to exempt towns
from liability for accidents on highways
has been passed by the house and re-
ported by the senate committee with
an amendment. 1t will be in order to-
morrow morning. The whole question
of taxation also hangs in the senate,
with many different opinions of sena-
tors which it will take time to harmon
ize.
The reform school bill, which pro-
vides among other things, that 5000
shall be expended for a new dormitory
and reading room and numerous other
improvements, is in order in the senate
tomorrow. In its consideration the
conduct of Ex- Gov. Proctor in relation
to the school is likely to he sharply crit
icised.
The senate has abolished the superin-
tendents of education and agriculture,
and cut down the salary of the quarter
master general to $3.50 and the librari-
an from $1,000 to Sll00. The PROPOSE
ton to do away with the ornamental
Office of railroad commissioner has not
passed the senate yet and if it does may
fail i'll the house. The 'nuisauce" bill
has yet to come before the senate where
it is likely to meet with a determined
opposition, many influences being
brought to bear to prevent its passage.
Besides these matters, which will
more than occupy this week, there is
the subject of the revision of the law,
the proposed amendments to the con-
situations and variety of other mat
tiers yet to be digested and settled.
The Legislature has fortnight's work
before it, much of which will be hastily
done and all because during the first
six weeks of the session valuable time
was frittered away. Now, when it is
needed, the people are crying for dis
solution.
NEW LAWS.
Thus far during the session the gov-f
ernOr has approved all bills presented
to him. They number one hundred and
three, of which thirty six originated in
the senate and sixty-seven in the house.
The majority of them are of compare
tivelv trifinp imnortance. Among
tbose originotino in the senate are acts
to incorporate Franklin Fairbanks,
Bradley Barlow, A. B. Jewett and 9th
ers as the Vermont Steamship Co.,
with a capital limited to S500,000; to
incorporate the Enosburgh Falls saw
ings bank, with A. w. Woodwork and
B. i. Kendall as incOrDorators to Law
tax of five cents on the grand list of
Grand Isle comfy TO nav off it's debts
TO authorize the state treasurer TO emit
hills to hanks nnon their denositino in
states as security therefor; to suppress