The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-10-31
The Legislatures DOings.


The past has been a busy week. The
two bills-one relating to reduction in
the number of Judges and the other to
an increase of their salarics-were killed.
after a warm debate in the Senate. The
judiciary committee, composed of four
lawyers and three laymen. reported the
bill raising the salaries with proposals of
amendment making the sum $1,000 per
annum and striking out that part of the
bill relating TO free passes. The amend
ments were adopted and the bill was de
feated by large majority. The bill re-
ducing the number of Judges was also re-
ported favorably by Il majority of the
committee. consisting of the three lavmen
and one lawyer. Senator Paul, who in
troduced the bill. After the defeat of
the bill raising the salaries the laymen
who voted in the committee for the re-
duction in number changed their base
and voted against the bill, on the ground
that they coulu not consistently vote for
measure which increased the work and
left the pay the same. Notwithstanding
the defeat of both bills in the Senate. Mr..
johnson of Georgia has introduced bill
reducing the number of Judges to six and
making the salary $500 and expenses.
But it is hardly probable that this bill
will pass; for many legislators think the
present salary sufficient, and those who
favor reduction in the number do so on
the ground that the pay ought to be
raised, so between the two opinions this
bill will very likely fall through and the
Supreme court remain as at present.
The air is full of names of men whose
friends wish them to fill the vacancy
upon the bench caused by Judge Red
fields retirement. Judge Thompson of
Irasburgh is prominently mentioned in
connection with the place, but Judge
Thompson is young man and can afford
to wait. lie has not made the mark at
the bar that he is able to make and will
make with more age and experience. c.
ii. Pitkin is also mentioned. Mr.. Pit
kin is a member of the firm of Pitkin 4
Huse in Montpelier; and is a young law
yer of undoubted ability and unmpeach-
able integrity. but he, too, is young, and
can afford to wait. Hon. John l.. Ed
wards of Newport, favored by the JI'Utch-
man. is a Democrat and a man of great
legal ability, but he is old and not robust
and by the time he has had the expert
ence necessary to make good judge he
will have to retire. The most prominent
candidate is Judge VIM. H. Walker of
Ludlow, man well known in his section
gal knowledge, judicial mind and strong
common-sense. Judge Walker is in the
prime of life and has had that varied eX-
pericnce which comes of necessity to a
country lawyer in large practice, and
which is so advantageous to niSi priuS
Judge. Judge Walker was prominent
candidate four years ago, when Judge
Taft was elected. and his friends feel that
his claims now are greater than they
were then. Addison county is practical
ly unit for him, as are Rutland and
| Windsor counties, and he will probably
| be elected without much difficulty.
| Highway lbills are numerous both in
number and changes proposed. Mr..
Hopkins bill. making the tax payable in
money instead of work at the option of
the taxpayer. instead of the town, was
defeated. Senator Williams Withdrew
his bill. to repeal the law of 1882. which
makes towns out of a county liable to as
sist "A town within the county to maintain
roads and bridges by which such towns
are benefited; and Senator Horton had
his bill, which was designed to strength
en- the law that Senator Williams aimed
his bill against, indefinitely postponed
There seems to be as great difference
of opinion in regard to highway legis-
latlon as in regard to the prOhibitOry law
and all these bills rouse men otherwise
indifferent into heated arguments.
The bill proposing to change the shire
town of Orleans county is stirring III
about as much bitterness and fight il
that county as there was in Addison coun
ty over the new court house two and foul
years ago. Any one who has ever at
tended term of court at Irasburgh il
midwinter would vote twice to have tn,
county buildings removed to town on
the railroad, but Judge Thompson, whose
home is at lrasburgh, is fighting the bill
with all his wcll-known grit and shrewd
ness. And Barton Landing and Newpor
viii have sharp fight to see which shall
be the shire town. If the fight is sharl
enough, the shire may remain where /
is.
The bill appropriating $1,000 for tn,
New Orleans exposition has passed DOtl
houses, after considerable opposition il
the House.
A bill appropriately 100000 for TIN
erection of building for the State libra
~ has been introduced by Senator Idle
for the Joint committee on the library
There seems to be no doubt that new
building is necessity; for the presen