Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-10-15
THE VERMONT LEGISLATURE.
LETTER FROM NONTPELTER

MONTPELIER, Oct. II, 1880.
Editoys If The PhGair'
At this time while tho eyes Of the people
of the State are being turned toward their
capital, letter containing something of the
dongs of the executive officers and the legis-
lative bodies, may not be without interest to
your readers Nearly avery member of both
Houses was present when the opening roll
was called by Lieut.. Governor Cotton in the
Senate and by Secretary Nichols in the
House, and the business of both Houses was
speedily under way. 1t is a compliment to
Windham County, aud certainly great one
to Hon. James l.. Martin, that he was elected
Speaker of the House without any other can
d lat, being placed in nomination. and by a
viva voce vote without one dissenting voice.
Colonel Hooker nominated Mr.. Martin in a
very appropriate speech, when was followed
with se1ondiug speeches by many gentlemen
from different parts Of the State; probably
this thing would have gone on until every
member had spoken, had it not been cut
short by the viva voce motion. This evident.
ly shows that Mr.. Martin is Que Of the most
popular men in the STATE, if not the most
popular one. Will his honors be allowed to
rest here? Or will it soon be- "Gov,rnor
Martin 2" The chaplain Of the House, Rev.
Mr. Currier, is known to Wndhan county
people having formerly been pastor Of the
Methodist church in Putney.
The review of the Militia OF the State at
Camp Farnham by Governor Proctor, on
Wednesday, was the great event Of the day :;
the Legislature adjourned, and people from
outside the town came in large numbers to
see the mauuuvring Of the troops. The
Governor was accompanied by his stan and
by an officer Of the British army in full dress
uniform. The companies made a fine APP
pearance and went through the manual Of
arms with wonderful celebrity. The Fuller
Battery was an especially attractive feature
to 'the country folk" and the chorus Of
obs" when the colonel ordered the boys
to give an exhibition Of rapid firing with
blank cartridges was somewhat amusing.
1t is said by people who have seen many
Vermont Legislatures, that the present SEN
ate is younger looking body than usual,
while the House is older. BE that as it may,
each of them is an interesting looking com
pany of men when seen from the galleries /;
one sees Of course some weak faces but on
the whole Senators and Representatives are
strong looking men. More than one-half of
the members OF the House are farmers and so
far they seem to have more than half of the
ability. Economy was heard from early in
the session, aud will probably cos; the State,
by the simple repetition Of the word, at least
1 l. 1 r. Al. I.
The members Of both Houses voted them
selves one daily paper each, instead Of two
dailies and one weekly, the usual number,
which was certainly good move.
The Governors reception Wednesday eve
ming was pronounced on all hands very
brilliant affair over nine hundred invita-
lions were issued and more than six hundred
people attended. Governor and Mrs. Proc
tor and Governor elect aud Mrs Farnham re-
ceived, the Governors staff in full uniform
| introducing the visitors. On Thursday, at / |
| A. NJ Governor Proctor delivered his valedic-
tory address and all Of your readers have
seen il before this time, no doubt they will
agree with me in prououncing IT a very able
| paper. Mr.. Proctor ranks among the very
best OF Vermont Governors. Mention is often
made of his personal resemblance to Abra-
ham Lincoln. His sterling common sense
might also be compared with that of our
| greatest president. At . p. NJ. Governor
elect fanham, accompanied by Governor
| Proctor and his aide de camp in carriages,
| preceded by the St. Adams Brigade Band
and the First Regiment Vermont Militia in
full parade uniform, formed in platoons by
companies, and, followed 10y Fuller Battery,
marched through State street TO the capitol
The large Representatives hall was crowded.
Gallery and lobby were packed to hear the
inaugural address OF Governor Farnham.
Extra seats were placed at the right of the
Speaker for the ladies, who nearly hid from
view portion of the honorable Senate.
When the door. keeper called with loud
voice, The honorable committee and His
| Excellency the Governor-elect," every one
who had not seen him at the reception
strained his eyes to get look at the new
Governor. But the buzz of excitement which
followed his entrance was quickly followed
by silence when Judge Rrdfeld, with impress
sive emphasis administered the oath of Of
fee Mr. Farnham made IA good impression
on all, and nearly every one in the large au
dience remained until the close of the ad
dress, although it was quite long and many
parts of it full of statistics.
Not many bills of general interest have
yet been presented, excepting some tending
to the reduction Of court expenses. Mr.. Fl
field of Montpelier has introduced a bill
which, if passed, would practically abolish
the county court grand juries and one CLAUSE
would blast the hopes of many young law
yer as by it a man would not be eligible Il
the Office Of States attorney until ten year,
after his admission to the bar. A move will
probably be made in the Senate in favor of
constitutional amendment providing for al
annual session OF the Legislature but will
probably not go far enough to be given t
tue people for their ratification or rejection
Some of the papers of the State are pitching
high tune in fuvor of districting the Stat,
and reducing the number of representative
to one hundred. II this could be done ant
keep the pay of the members at three dollar
day it might be good thing for the State
but the pay per member would undoubtedl!
be increased so that the expense to the Stat
would not be reduced, and under the circum
stances the small towns will probably no
look upon the move with favor. To-day tn
Speaker announced part of the House Stand
ing Committees The list will probably b.
completed tomorrow and then work will b.
commenced in earnest, the Senate commit
tees having been appointed last week Il
our next we shall probably have the pleasur
of discussing some proposed changes
s.
|
The Legislative Proceedings.
| Both houses adjourned from Friday sftsr