The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-11-24

SENATOR VALENTINES bill providing for
auniformity of school textbooks throughout
the state was defeated in the house Monday
afternoon by an immense majority. The
bill had merits, but the " book job" scare
prevailed
JUDGE PoLAND's pauper bill passed the
house Thursday by vote of 1888 to 2S.
This will have the effect of abolishing about
one-third of the revised statutes, and of
greatly simplifying the practice of the law
in Vermont.
The house bill raising the tax on savings
banks and trust companies from six tenths
OF one per cent to one per cent was
finally defeated Thursday on the question
OF its passage by vote of 154 to 66, as it
deserved to be.
THE bill appropriating 800 for the erec-
ton of a monument to the memory of "Cap-
tain joe" the old Indian guide, was de-
feated by the house Monday morning. Joe
will have to be content with his pond over
at West Danville.
REPRESENTATIVES, HIGBEE's S bear bill passed
the house Friday morning, Messrs. Abel
and Kingsley only voting against it. The
bill prohibits the leading of bears along the
public highways on their rear limbs and
compelling them to climb creased pole.
THE senate bill designed to prevent judges
Of the supreme court from acting as au-
ditors and referees passed the house Friday
afternoon as it should. The salary of the
Judges is large enough now to allow them
to attend only to their legitimate business.
THE house Saturday afternoon refused
the passage of senate bill "a, providing for a
fine of twenty dollars and one months i'm
prisonment for each offense of selling fur
nlshing or giving away liquor, including
cider. The cider clause was "a drop too
much"
REPRESENTATIVE j. w. CuRRIER of Troy
has received the appointment of deputy
United States marshal from Marshal Rob-
inson, the appointment to take effect to-
day. The other deputies are George w.
Fisk of Burlington and David Stearns of
Putney.
THE substitute railroad commission bill
came up in the house Saturday as a
special order, read the third time under a
suspension of the rules, and passed with
only one dissenting vote, that of Mr.. Soule
of Strafford. Nothing was said against
the bill.
THE new scientific education bill from the
senate occasioned lively debate in the
house Mr.. Abel of West Haven and
Goodspeed of Wells opposed the bill, and
Messrs. Fisk, Marsh, Butterfeld, Buzzell,
Bedard, Mansur, Baxter and Bill made per-
tinent remarks in its favor 1t was passed
on a yea and nay vote of 107 to 62. 1t is
now law.
THE fact has only recently been made
public that Lieutenant-Governor Fuller, inn
mediately after his election, rendered to
Governor Pingree and Adjutant-General
Peck his resignation as captain of Fuller
battery, but that both officials refused to ac-
cept it, on the ground that his place in the
state militia service could not be made good.
Free Press.
THE Rutland Herald of this morning says
Rev. George W.. Perry, pastor of the
Universalist church, has been appointed
state geoogist to succeed DR.. Cutting OF
Lunenburg. Although not professional
scientist, Mr.. Perry has always taken an ac-
! tive interest in the study of natural science
! and conducted no little original research in
various departments.
The senate made it hot for a number OF
Incorporation bills that came in at the last
| hour, and killed them indiscriminately
| Tiey were all reported favorably and mas.
sacred unanimously. Among the sufferers
| were the bill to incorporate medical col
lege at st. Johnsbury, one to incorporate
| the Burlington Investment company and
the bill to incorporate the village of Barre.
| A JOINT resolution relating to the death OF
eX-President Arthur, expressing sympathy
and sorrow and rendering condolences to
! the family of the deceased, was offered in
the house Friday by Judge Poland, who
made a few appropriate remarks in the
way of eulogy The resolution was unani.
mously adopted by both houses. Speaker
Grout's remarks in announcing the vote in
| the house We're eminently fit and worthy
! the occasion and the speaker.
GOVERNOR ORMsBEE has appointed the
following members of the state board OF
agriculture: Professor w. w. Cooke of Bur.
lington, Heny Lane of Cornwall, NJ. w
! Davis of Westminster Senator ID. l.. Cush.
| ing of Hartford, Rollin G.. Smith of Pitts
ford and II. II. Hill of Isle La Motto. All
of these are new men, with the exception OF
! Messrs. Lane and Davis. The new board
! iS nf "a material X
| expected in some quarters that it will dc
more efficient work than its predecessors.
The following section was added to the
! Currier license bill when it came up in the
house: Selectmen granting licenses under
the provisions of this law shall, upon the
petition of one or more voters of the town
verified by his or their oath, representing
that liquor is sold in such town contrary to
the provisions of this act, at once proceed
to enforce the penalty herein provided fol
such sale or sales. And any selectman neg
| lecting so to do, after such petition, shall be
liable to penalty of $50, to be paid to the
treasury of such town before any justice OF
the peace
ABOUT one o'clock A. NJ. the house in
dulged in mock session. The fun was be
gun by Mr.. Smith of Vershire, who offered
"A resolution prohibiting the taking o
angle worms during their spawning season.
The speakers chair was successiVely filled
| DN MI. SlnlUn, DOOTKeeper corey anu MaJOl
| StearnS, and Mr.. Smith officiated for time
as doorkeeper and Mr. Tinkham as page
Some of the proceedings were funny, anC
were much enjoyed by the spectators. The
senate also spent little time in a like man
ner, with Senators Judson and Foster pre-
siding in turn.
DOORKEEPER COFFEY was nearly pros
trated with astonishment and gratitude
Monday on being presented with an elegant
diamond ring by committee of ladies as a
testimonial of their appreciation of his of
fetal courtesy and uniform kindness during
the session. Following is a list of the
donors: Mrs. Governor Ormsbee, Mrs
Governor Pingree, Mrs. Leutenant-gov
ernor Fuller, Mrs. Speaker Grout, Mrs
Treasurer Dubois, Mrs. Auditor Powell
Mrs. George l.. Spear Mrs. Fletcher ID
Proctor Mrs. John w. Currer, Mrs. Carm
l.. Marsh Mrs. Charles II. Lane, Mrs E. b
Patterson and Miss Valentine.
In the official report of the debate Novem
ber Ii on the division of the town of Rutland
by some inadvertance the remarks of Mr.
Fisk were made to read incorrectly. Mr.
Fisk spoke in vindcation of the committee
and severely criticised certain newspapers
article that had been distributed in the
house. Among other things he said that
the town of Rutland, owing to its size anC
the antagonistic interests and sentiments o
the people, would continue to besiege the
| legislature dntil some relief was had; ant
in the interest of economy to the state
he thought we should act now, either pass
or reject the bill without amendment. H'
favored the bill because he thought the in