Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-10-08

The legislature of 1886 seems to have ef-
fected an organization without unseemly con-
test of any sort, and after the appointment
of committees, which will probably be made
early next week, it will be ready for the ac-
tive work of the session. OF no legislature
in recent years has more been expected in
the way of practical and decisive legislation
in the interests of the people than of this.
Foremost in the public thought lies the ques-
ton of railroad supervision, and the develop
ments of the next two or three weeks will be
closely and anxiousy watched to see what
movements in this direction are on foot, and
what influences are likely to control or deter
mine the character of the measure or meas
ures which are sure to be passed in some
form. With the experience of Massachu-
sets, New York and New Hampshire in this
direction to draw upon, and with the discus
sion which the subject had in our own legis-
lature in 1884, it ought to be an easy matter
to frame a law which shall give the state its
rightful degree of oversight in the manage
ment of the railroad corporations which it has
created, which shall prevent extortion from
our own farmers, manufacturers and trades
men to make up for disastrously low rates on
through business, and which shall be a real
help to a good understanding between the
railroads and the people. This done, there
will remain the question of the choice of men
to compose the commission, and on this will
rest, after all, the real efficiency of the law.
Thoughtful far seeing men will go very slow
and with great care in this whole matter, re-
membering that the people will hold them to
a strict account for their action.
The railroad legislation of the session will
not be complete without the enactment of
some measure or provision aimed at the free
pass abuse. Through the doing away with
this evil, more than in any other direction,
lies the solution of the problem of cheaper
railroad fares and the establishment of the
principle of making every man pay for what
he has without making him also pay for what
his neighbor ought to pay for and does not.
These are the subjects which without ques-
ton are first in the public mind but ques-
ton which is of vital importance to the future
welfare of the state is that of the improve
ment of our common schools and the general
advancement of the cause of education. The
legislature of 1884 hadn't the courage to
enact a compulsory law for the adoption of
the town system of schools, and the measure
which it did adopt has proved to be practical
ly valueess-ss half and half" compromise
measures always do. 1t is true that the peo-
pie do not want the town system of schools,
but the reason they don't want it is because
they are afraid Of increased expense, and
meantime the schools in country districts are
being managed on a more and more parsimo-
NOUS basis, they are growing less and less eff
fcient, and our population as whole is grow
ing more and more iiterate. If the legisla-
ture of 1856 wants to make for itself lasting
aud honorable name, it cannot do better than
add to sound railroad-commission law an
educational measure which grasps this whole
subject and puts it in the way of thorough
reform and reorganization.
The smallpox epidemic of last winter
showed our utter helplessness as a state in the
matter of public health supervision. Our
state authorities could DO practically nothing
for protection except to throw the whole mat
ter into the hands of the general government.
A lesson like this ought to make it possible ia
pass good public health law, with a board
OF three or five members to enforce il, and
give our families the same protection that we