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

ACTUAL lcuStn pclhS Hlly udyS' lue
number of really important matters be-
fore it was small, though the volume
of its business was large in amount. 1t
has considered some 900 distinct propo-
sitions in bill form, but the total num-
Der which became laws is only a small
proportion of the whole. The legisla-
ture can point to some useful legisla-
ton as the result of its labors, and it
can also point with pride to large
mass of proposed legislation, which
after due consideration, it refused to
enact. 1t is true that it could have
passed many just and proper measures
which it failed to pass; yet we think
that, on the whole, it has been a con-
scientious body of men who have, ac-
cording to their light, endeavored to
serve the best interests of their con-
stituents, and that the work they sue
ceeded in accomplishing has been
wholesome in character.
The elections of United States sena-
tor, state officers and supreme court
judges were attended with compare
lively little friction; and the only con-
test which provoked unusual interest
was that over the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of
Rutland. Other matters like the Or
ange county shire, the license, woman
suffrage, free textbook, temperance
education, school commission and rail-
road commission measures have pro-
voked considerable discussion, both in
and out of the legislature; and there
have been some interesting hearings
before committees. Notwithstanding
the insinuations of discounted schem-
ers and disappointed place-hunters, we
have found no indications of any cor
ruption or jobbery in the legislature;
and, in fact, this body has had no
special temptation to make other than
an honorable record.
Among the more important acts of
the session, are the following: the
creation of a railroad commission; in
corporation of the towns of Proctor and
West Rutland; abolishing the Office of
highway surveyor and making the high
way tax at least fifteen per cent to be
collected in money; raising the salaries
of judges of the supreme court from
$4,000 to $4,000; making $40 the low
est limit for trustee process; appropria-
lions of $4,000 for soldiers home,
$4,000 for monuments and grounds on
the battlefield of Gettysburg, 81, 800 for
improved arms, etc, for the National
Guard, and $4,000 for repairs in the
state prison; providing for the appear
ance of the states attorney in divorce
cases; providing penalty for misrep-
resentation in applications for marriage
certificates; prohibiting the unlawful
wearing of Grand Army badges; giving
justices of the peace authority to COM
pei intoxicated persons to make dis
closure; providing Imprisonment or
third conviction for intoXicatiOn; au-
thorizing the construction bridge from
Grand Isle TO North Hero but making
no appropriation therefor; authorizing
the st. Johnsbury & Lake Champlain
railroad company to build branch to
connect with the Southeastern railway;
Incorporating the Hardwick and Marsh
field railroad company; Furnishing pub
lie officers for embezzement; giving
registers of probate the power to hold
court and perform the duties of Judge
when the latter is sick, dies, resigns, or
is absent; providing the making of alb
stracts of grand lists to be sent to the
secretary of state; prohibiting judges
of the supreme court from acting as
auditors and referees; prohibiting pro-
prietors and keepers of hotels, restaur-
ants, etc., who furnish their patrons
with imitation butter, unless they pla-
card " oleomargarine sold here " in
the dining or lunch rooms; prevent
ing the use of defective steam boilers
giving III anu NoD-
ings liens on their work; the Poland
pauper bill, which does away with the
old requirement of " settlement
and making towns liable for support of
paupers when the latter have resided
three years in such towns; providing
that wife or minor child of a person
confined in jail for intoxication may
collect 50 day from parties selling
the liquor, or owning the building in
which the liquor was sold to such per-
son; establishing state agricultural
experiment station; to prevent treat
ing in saloons and other public places
changing the age of consent in females
exempting ten sheep and one COW
valued at $40 from taxation; appro
priating $4,000 for Bennington battle
monument; establishing state boar,
of health; providing that ejectmen
of passengers from railroad trains cal
only be made at the regular stations
providing for the better scientific tenn
perance education in the public schools
and protectinglife and property from dy
Mantle and other danoerOus explosives