News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-10-19
THEIEcISLETURE.

pretended the tone OF their several con-
stituencies to assume the appearance
of industry, zeal and energy. Start
ing off with the reelection of Speaker
Martin, whose experience in that po-
sition during the sessions of 1873 and
1880 has made him a most efficient
presiding officer, the wheels were
promptly put in running order and on
re-assembling last week the Legislature
found itself organized by the appoint
ment of the several committees and
Immediately commenced work on the
multitude of bills that flowed in upon
them.
The work of the session will be
very important, chiefly because of the
necessity of perfecting and making
more satisfactory the popular grand
list law of 1890. Although the bills
introduced to effect this end are large,
none, so far as we are aware, have in
any way attempted to abridge, repeal
or weaken it. The determination
upon all hands is manifest that the
law shall be made more effective and
that the loop-holes through which the
selfishness of mankind found egress
shall be stopped. The Judevine law,
by which damage for personal injuries
became a thing of the past, has been
severely attacked, and there seems to
be a strong disposition manifest that
towns shall not be allowed to shirk
the duty of providing safe highways
but we doubt if this legislature will
do more than to remove some of the
cumberous and impracticable machin-
cry which now hampers its proper
workings, which being done it will re-
eeiye another two years trial. Ono
fact seems assured, the Legislature
will not fail to listen to the demand
which comes from all quarters for an
improvement upon the present law.
The personnel of the. d" assembled
wisdom and virtue" is in some respects
regarded as fully above the average.
The notable feature is the youthful
appearance of the popular branch, the
average age of which we judge to be
considerably below that of any session
for many years. The dignity which
such men as ex-Gov. Page and Judge
Poland gave to the session of 1878
may be wanting, but the active, wide
awake and thorough-going young
blood of Vermont has seldom been
better represented upon the floor of
the house than at the present session.
Prominent among them is the indie
fatigable Thompson of Irasburg, whose
industry and sound sense has properly
placed him at the head of the Judiciary
committee. Munson of Manchester,
whose large experience as a legislator
and whose sterling qualities of head
and heart have made so popular, pre-
sides over the laborious duties of the
General committee. Gen. Hooker, the
% hail fellow well met" Sergeant-at-
arms of the National House of Repre-
sentatives, presides over the somewhat
honorary committee of Ways and
Means. Noble of st. Adams, one of
the bright lawyers of the franklin Co.
bar, is chairman of the Woodworking
committee on Claims. Wing of Mont
pelier, Plumley of Mortified, Burke of
Albany, Smith of Newbury, Fairbanks
of st. Johnsbury, Roberts of Burling-
ton, Carter of Hardwick, all young
men, are among the prominent mem
bers, in fact we think we do no injus-
tice to the others in saying that they
appear to be the prominent members
of the house. Before the session shall
have terminated, we have no doubt
others will have attained to a promi-
nence which they do not now enjoy,
and, all in all, we are inclined to re-
gard our present legislature as above
the average for ability, energy and
sound sense.
OF our own county members we OBJ
serve that Page of Morristown, the
only member from this county who
has had any legislative experience, is
second on the committee on Corpora
lions. The honor of the chairman
ship which would naturally fall to the
lot of Lamoille Co., C. r. is said to
have been too modest to accept. Ste
vens of Waterville however, was given
the Craftsmanship of the committee on
Land Taxes, position which we pre-
dict he will acceptably fill. Johnson's
interests in her Normal School were
recognized by placing her member,
Mr.. Andrews, on the important com
mittee on Education. Hyde Park was
honored by giving her representative,
Mr.. Randall, one of the youngest
members of the Legislature, place on
the important committee of the Grand
list. Elmore's level-headed worker,
Mr.. Morse, was duly appreciated by
being placed upon the General COM
mittee. Farmer Eaton of Wolcott
was very properly given a place upon
the committee on Agriculture. Kin
sley of Cambridge will see that La
mobile county members don't draw
pay by way of st. Johnsbury and
Wells River for he is on Mileage and
Debentures. The public documents
must pass through the hands of White
of Eden, who is on the Distributing
while Belvidere's repre-
Mr.. WhIttemore, as mem
Der of the important committee on
will have an eye single to the
treasury department and see that no
improper bills against the State are