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


T1oN-TnE FIGHT OVER THE PROPOSED PAR
ALLEI RAILROAD LINES NORTH AND SOUTH
FROM BRArTIEBono MATTERs--
FINAL ADJOURNMENT.
Editorial Correspondence Of THE PHRSI1.
MONTPELIER, Wednesday Evening",
December 22d.
The present legislative session has been ex-
tended so much beyond the length of time
usually occupied by our Vermont Legislatures,
and so few measures of importance reached
final completion in the earlier weeks of the
session. that it is not altogether singular that
the people in the more remote parts Of the
state should have gained the impression that
the record of the session is proving an un-
satisfactory one. In point of fact however,
we believe it will prove when the results of
the session are finally before the people, that
no Legislature in recent years has contained
more earnest and painstaking members, and
that none has done more faithful and efficient
work
The reasons for the unusual length of the
session are not far to seek. When the legis-
lature met it was generally understood that
the people looked to see certain important
legislation enacted. The tax laws needed
radical revision, there was the matter of state
expenses and the revision of the laws to be
attended to, and there were other important
subjects for consideration which had been
prominently aRitated during the summers
political campaign. At the opening of the
session. accordingly, many measures were in
troduced striking at the very root of things
in various directions, and these, to say moth
ing of other and minor matters Of legislation,
gave rise to laborious and protracted commit
tee work, and from the importance of the
subjects presented pore time than usual was
necessary for harmonzng divergent views
and for establishing basis on which definite
and united action could be taken. Men Of
long experience in legislative matters are
united in saying that no recent legislature
has undertaken SO great variety of business,
and that by none have all important meas
ures been more carefully considered. Much
more than the usual number Of members have
taken part in the debates of the House, and
in both branches the members of influence
and of readiness in debate have been by no
means confined to the legal profession.
This remark holds especially true with re-
gard to our Windham county delegation. No
man in the House holds better position or
is more universally respected than Mr.. Mer
rifeld of Eewfane. Besides place on the
railroad committee, Mr.. Merriield holds the
Craftsmanship of the committee on the Re
form School-one of the most important com
mittees in the whole list-and he has per
formed the duties Of this position with mark
ed ability. After giving the school a careful
examination the committee reported TO the
House, through their chairman, q recon-
mendation Of an appropriation of 81, 900 for
certain improvements in place of the $40, 900
appropriated two years ago, but not used be
cause Gov. Proctor, not thinking the ap-
preparation necessary, refused to sign an or
der for the money On Monday afternoon Of
this week. when the Reform School bill was
put upon its final passage, an attempt was
made to increase the appropriation to $40,
| 900. The friends OF the enterprise wa xed ell
| oquent in their arguments, but at the critical
moment Mr.. Merrifeld, in few vigorous and
we'll chosen words, stated his reasons for be-
lieving that the proposed sum of $1,000 was
enough, after which, under a demand for the
previous question, the bill was triumphantly
passed as it was originally reported by him
and this is not the only instance where he has
shown his ability to say the right thing, in
the right way, at the right time. We do not
mean to be understood as saying that Mr..
Merrifeld ranks as talking" member, but
only to indicate what is true, that his long
experience in the House, as a member and
otherwise, and his ability, candor and
unfailing good sense, always carry their
due influence and assure him a respectful
hearing.
Col Hooker OF Brattleboro, ever since hi,
return from New York, covered with the we'll
merited honors of successful work in the Ma
tional Republican committee rooms has been
one of the most faithful and indefatigablt
workers in the House. He shirks no du-
ty, is always in his seat, and his aim is un
mstakably to be a good and thoroughly
equipped legislator. He applies himself to q
careful understanding of all important meas
ures, and on all such he speaks often and eff
fectively but never at such length as tC
weary the patience of the House, and is there
fore always sure of an attentive hearing. II,
is too wise to spoil his influence by pushing
point too far and he easily holds leading
position on a sound basis of earnest work anC
a wide and practical knowledge of men anC
affairs In the great "four-days' contest
last week, over the tax bill, Col. Hooker Dor,
prominent part and is credited with larg,
share of honor in securing the fiuAl passag,
of the measure.
In the Senate careful observers credit Col
Fuller with being one of the most eficien
and painstaking of the honorable thirty. Hi
position as chairman of the Committee OF
Finance, with place also on the committees
on Manufactures, Military affairs and Rail
roads, has been laborious one, but in add
ton to these special duties he has taken car,
to inform himself fully on every measure o
importance which has been brought befor,
the Senate. In the matter of taxation, es
pecally he has been a close student, and ha
familarized himself with the subject in all it
bearings. He is emphaticaly one of tn
working men of the Senate while he at tn
same time talks Understandings and is close
ly listened to on every subject to who's
championship or opposition he lends himself
Deacon Ware of Townshend, who is b.
several years the senior member of the Wind
ham county delegation, bears himself with Al
unconscious dignity becoming his venerabl
years, and is intellisently interested in tn
business of the House. As member of tn
Grand List Committee, he had an inhuentis
, part in shaping the new tax bill Mr. Turne
of Dover has shown happy faculty for ''hit
ting the nail on the head" whenever he ha
: seen fit to address the House, and not FEY
of the good things" which have been sal
: in debate are set down to his credit. MI
S Smith, the lonesome and solitary Democrat
member from Windham county, rarely speak
before the House, but holds an excellent pc
sition by reason of his good sense and III