Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-11-12
FRIDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
The Hearing on the Division of Rutland
reunion of the senate of 1SS"-The
The Legislative Directory-The
Railroad HiIls-yarious Notes.

MONTPEIIER, Nov. 5.-ThiS has been the
busiest day of the session. In the Senate
Senator Chaplin introduced u bill of espe-
cial interest to Vermont printers, but
which ought also to be of interest to every
1 Nermonter who has particle OF state
| pride or regard for Vermont interests. 1t
provides that the commissioners on the
state printing, in advertising for bids Tor
State printing, stationery and statiuners'
supplies, shall invite proposals for the
same only from printing establishments,
binderies and dealers III stationery which
are located in this State.
/ Among the bills which passed the Sen
ate to day were these: To prevent persons
from wearing the badge of the Grand
Army of the Republic; to authorize the
quartermaster-geuera to exchange the
arms and equipments of the National
Guard of Vermont
The act to exempt certain property from
taxation was taken up as special order.
| Senator Bunker thought the bill opened
the way for fraud Senator Bailey said
the bill was reported taVOrablY by the
| grand list committee because they thought
it the best measure that had been before
them. Senator Powell said the bill would
greatly reduce the grand list and Increase
taxation. Senator Cushing thought the
| bill was an MUST one. Senator Baker
wished that some measure could he pass
ed to prevent double taxation, but did not
think this bill accomplished that purpose.
Senator Stoddard thought it a danger
Gus measure to pass, and moved that the
| bill be ordered to lie. senator spear
thought it the only measure that would
meet the end. Senator Fletcher thought
it would give relief to some classes, but
! not to all, and favored the motion TO lie.
Senator Bates thought that with little
patching up the bill would accomplish its
purpose.
In the House bills were introduced as
|. BY Mr. Wheelock of Berlin, bill pro
| hibiting the blowing of horns, beating
tambOurines, drums, etc, Il lU Salvation
army.
BY Mr.. Mayo of Northiied, TO establish
Il State board of health, to be appointed
by the governor, and to consist of four
persons, three of them physicians, to hold
| Office four years
BY Mr.. Hathaway of Hardwick, provid-
ing that children committed to the Re
form School on conviction of criminal of
| fenses shall be supported by the State.
| BY Mr.. Haselton of Burlington, in
amendment of sec 364l, revised laws,
making 800 the penalty for any person
who Injuries telegraph and electric light
appliances.
BY Mr. Hubbard of Lyndon, a bill for
the relief of towns in the support of in
sane persons at the Vermont asylum so
| that the the town may use so much of the
| income OF said insane persons estate and
| tie earnings of said minor children AS is
in excess of what is needed for their sup
port.
The House passed S. 30, to pay L. A.
! Drew IA sum named amending sec, 3SlS,
revised laws II. POO, apprOprlating 5000
for repairs to State prison.
H. 256, authorizing the St Johnshury
and Lake Champlaln Railroad company
to hold ana own stock in the Vermont
Steamboat company.
DISCUSSION OF RAILROAD BILLS.
On Thursday evening, the joint railroad
committee took up II. l57, which forbids
railroad corporations to raise highway
bridges which are situated in any incor-
porated village Congressman Stewart,
| in behalf of the town of Middlebury, ia
vored the bill, and stated that if the two
! highway bridges in that town were raised,
the street beds would have to be changed
much to the Inconvenience of the town
and adjoining property owners. He
thought the RailroaH company ought
rather to lower the bed of their track. \
further hearing of this bill was deferred
until next Tuesday evening.
The remainder of the evening was most
Is occupied by &. W. Writer'S, Esq, at
torney of the Central Vermont railroad,
who said that Senator Bates bill is
framed after the Massachusetts law Sen
ator Clark's after that of Connecticut the
Higbee bill is widely different from either.
That of Massachusetts is advisory. 1t
simply stands between the people and
railroad companies as Il mediator, by af-
fordiug them an opportunity to report
any grievance to the attorney general.
He showed how the Iiigbee bill differed
fIom other laws because of the penalty of
imprisonment or IA $4,000 fine. He thought
the orginatorS of the Higbee bill must
have had some hard feeling against the
railroad, or they would not nave provided
"A penalty of Imprisonment Tor neglect OF
duty. He did not object TO commission
patterned after that Of Massachusetts, but
II was unreasonable to pass IL bill like the
Agbee bill which made it Il penal offence
not to keep all accounts and books as pre-
scribed by that board. In the case of tint
Central Vermont railroad, who carry
t $500, 900, worth of way freight and - coo,
> 600 of through freight annually, much con
fusion would ensue from an attempt t
keep all books and papers i'll accordance
to IA rule prescribed bya commission, sine
. they must be kept in accordance with TIN
p, methods of the Grand Trunk and thei
J connections. "lhe charters too of tn
r leased lines were different" Each char
ter was Il statute in itself and each rail
l road had II different one.
y If the eight different charters of tn
i lines of this State were complied with
!. every employe would be in Il great ii
J lemma and danger Of being sent to WIND
sOr The IIigbee bill treats the whole raj
L. road fraternity and officers rs criminals
y MI. =. w. Clement Of Rutland presente
u some further facts from the point of yie'
l. of the railroad corporations as against an
= ineqmlable law The hearing next lue'
t day evening will be important. 1t is n
ported that Gov. Smith will appear beiol
he committee
/. REUNION OF THE lss2 SENATE,
a The members of the Senate of 1852 hel
Sc their annual reunion Thursday evening
rs After doing justice to the banquet Mt I'll
ID Pavilion the senators and ladies proceede
al to the Senate chamber, where the exercise
u proper were held. Prayer was offered h
Id Rev. Mr.. Frost. In the absence of e.
= Gov. Pingree, President pro temper
~ Dart presided. kilograms were rea
D. from eX-Gov Pmgree and ex-senator Id