Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-12-05
The GseGS County altrald
ISLAND POND, DECEMBER 8, 4asb.
.orRLNsT LEGIsLArIEE.

OUR LAST LEGISLATURE,
One rather unusual feature of this
Legislature WAS its general indepen-
dence. Usually some one or more
leaders of the House spring up with
a very strong personal folIoaing,
and the body is more or less formed
into classes growing out Of occupa-
tion or prejudice. This seemed to
be less so this year than formerly,
although such men as Judge Walk
er, Henry, Dillingham;, Circuit, Stick
ney, Dattcrdcld, and a number of
Others are men of marked ability,
and able in debate. Both the Sen
ate and the House were more than
an average in point Of ability, as it
seems to us. Senator Hobson and
our county representatives. have at
tended well to our local interests,
and our town and county matters
arc disposed Of in a manner that
ought tG be entirely satisfactory.
With the exception Of a few field
days we notice nothing of uncom-
Jpeu interest. Among the liyeliest
of these were the tits on the remov-
al of the shire in Orleans county, in
which our representative from Lu-
ncnburgh, Mr.. Hale, participated in
n manner highly creditable to him
self. In these discussions Senator
Thompson, although beaten, and
driven from position to position By
facts and circumstances, made such
mastery retreat as is seldom wit.
messed in legislation. 1t brought
him great. credit for his work and
skill. Among the things to be re
GREETED was a supplement to the
personal attack on Judge Barrett
Zone of the very best lawyers evel
raised in Vermont in which the rep
Mtation of Chief Justice Royce and
all Vermont were involved. Many
able speeches were made on this oc
casion, and, considering the bitter
ness of the opposition to Judg,
Royce, most remarkable decorum
was observed throughout the de
bate. The Chief Justice was vmdi
Gated by handsome vote, a major
ity believing the charges 2gains
him to be utterly false, and still 9th
crS relied upon the vindication 1t
had received at the hands Of an i'm
partial jury. No very radica
changes seem to have been made il
our laws. The subject Of education
occupied quite largely the attention
Of the Legislature, but owing to tn
or 81 iCs5e iHittlf of e33aai1nljjop1 gr9Yi1
book robbery was permitted to g
on as heretofore. Some radica
changes were moved for in refer
ence to railroad corporations, an,
our sumptuary laws, but the legisla
ture concluded that all such matter
were substantially provided for
Great credit is due to Senator IIol
ton for opening the way to a NOR
careful consideration of our sanitar,
laws, on which subject we propoS
soon to call the attention of GU
readers to some of the deadly mala
ria over and among which we ar
llying--or dying. An attcmp
was made to abolish the Board 0
Agriculture headed by a persona
assault on its Secretary under cove
CT the bills proposed, but it resulted
in the continuance of the Board anC
of our enterprising citizen, DR.. II. a
Cutting as its Secretary. The ap
pQjptment of DR.. Il. +. johnson 0
West Concord as Supervisor Of tn
Insane was merited compliment t.
the stirring doctor and most pleas
ing to his many friends in this coun
ty. On the whole none can say lu
that the Legislature worked faith
fully and well, and conserved the in
terests Of Vermont in manner tha
the people will accord to them tn
commentator "well done thou goo,
and faithful servants, return to YOU
homes and your tiresides to erjo
with US the fruits of your labors."
yssy-yr-rFa=-%1=
4 CLOSE CONTEST.