News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1888-11-08
Legislative Notes.

Leg SlatiSe NoTeS'
The Legislature adjourned last Fri
day until Wednesday, in order that
the members might go home to vote.
The militia bill has been killed in
the house after an adverse report
from the committee, because of the
great expense its passage would in
vOlve.
The committee on elections on the
Canaan election case reported that
they find that neither claimant was
elected, and ask that the case be re-
committed with authority to summon
persons and papers. Unanimously
adopted.
Other bills upon which final action
has been taken are those providing
for the pay of county commissioner
to be IS day and expenses, but not
to exceed $50 a year; to complete
the construction of a monument at
Gettysburgh to appropriate $4,000
for the Soldiers Home at Bennington.
The fate of oleomargarine is sealed
so far as the house is concerned, as
DIR. Holton's bill, with some amend
ment, has passed that body by an
overwhelming vote. The discussion
of the question enabled Mr.. Prouty,
of Newport, who opposed the bill, to
make the greatest speech so far this
session.
The proposition to abolish the office
of tax commissioner met with favor
able reception in the house, and will
probably be as kindly treated in the
senate. The duties Of this Office will
then devolve alone upon the State
Treasurer. Since 1884 the work has
been mainly clerical, and there is
seemingly no good reason for the con-
tinuance of the office.
Speaker Grout mas a noteworthy
gavel, which was presented him a few
days ago by Mr.. Adams, of Panton. Ii
is made from a piece of oak taken
from the wreck of the Congress,
the vessel on which Benedict Arnold
escaped from the British fleet, Oct. Is,
1776, on Lake Champlain. The
Congress" ran aground in the bay at
point now called Arnold's Bay, off
Panton, and was set on fire, her crew
escaping into the country. The part
that was submerged and not burned
was afterward dug out, and from a
piece of her oaken hulk this gavel
was made.
The two houses met in joint assem-
bly, and proceeded to the election of
officers as follows: Sergeant-atArms,
T. c. Phinney; brigade commander,
W. L. Greenleaf; adjutant and in
spector general, Theodore S. Peck /;
acknowledgement, W. Fl. Gil
more; Judge advocate general, Henry
c. Bates trustees of agricultural col
lege, RedfieId Proctor, Crosby Miller,
E. J. Ormsbee and Ito fill vacancies)
E. J. Ormsbee and Josiah Circuit.
The only contest was over the office
of Acknowledgement. Hon. II.
c. Bates, of St. Johnsbury, and Capt.
S. n. Dix, of Montgomery, were the
The result of the ballot
was Bates, 1873; Dix Sc.
The reports of the railroad commits
son, and Of the State superintendent
Of schools, so long delayed by the
printers, have at last made their APP
Dearance. The school report shows
continued decrease in the number of
and in the aggregate attend
ance of pupils, Notwithstanding a
SLIGHT increase of children of school
age. Not a very fattering exhibit,
especially when the fact is considered
that the expense of maintaining the
schools is considerably increased.
The former report is a valuable and
but bulky document, in
Guiding all of the official doings of
he board. The commission reports
26-10 miles of new railroads in the
'tate. 1t recommends the abolition
# grade crossings; the fining of
'ersons walking on railroads without |
the heating of passenger cars
y steam and lighting by electricity |
S far as practicable, but in no case
o use oil of less than 800 degrees
ire test; and asks for the enactment
If laws providing for the enforcement
If their recommendations.