The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-09-02

The legislature went about its work
in business-like way, enacted the
measures it was called together to con-
slider, passed number of other laws
and adjourned Thursday noon, after a
session of two and one-half days. 1t
was good illustration of what legs
lature can do when it tries, and of what
might be done in the future, if the sem
ate at the session last fall had been
somewhat less autocratic in its treat
ment of proposals of amendment to the
constitution, and had allowed certain
amendments that were presented to
that body to come down to the people
for discussion. 1t is nquestionably
true that the proposition, frequently
discussed, to modify the existing ar
rangement 50 as to admit of annual
sessions, while retaining the plan of
biennial elections, would result in an
improvement in the quality of the legis
lation. At the recent special session,
business was begun without the delay
incident 10 organization and TO the as
sembling of body of men, strangers
to each other and unfamiliar with the
machinery of law-making. The argu-
ment in favor of annual sessions was
abundantly verified. Pity it is that this
proposal of amen lment to the constitu-
ton, and one or two others, must now
wait ten years for another hearing.
The disposition made of the direct
tax will, we are sure, meet the public
approval. The fund can be put to good
use till 1892, and then the people
can say through their representatives.
whether they will allow it to remain in
the treasury, or will take it out and de-
vote it to some specific use. In the
matter of an additional appropriation
for the Worlds Fair, there was some
divergence of opinion. A strenuous
effort was made to limit the appropria-
ton to $4,000, instead of SO ,000-the
sum finally reported by the committee.
The contest was entirely in the house.
Mr.. Billiard of Underhill was the lead
ing champion of the amendment, and
gave clear and strong reasons why the
sum appropriated by this legislature
should not exceed $4,000. This was
the test question, and after a spirited
debate the amendment failed by vote
of 107 yeas to ia nays. The total sum
appropriated as the act now stands is
$4,000. The bill limiting express
charges to the rates existing before the
passage of the corporation taX-law of
the last session was a loud protest
against the sAort-sighte land exas perat-
ing action of the companies in adding
four per cent to their rates after the
passage of the above-named law. No
measure before the legislature was
passed with greater or more hearty
unanimity.
There were some measures introduced
which failed to become laws, but which
should have deliberate consi leration.
One of these was the bill of Senator
Smith of Windsor county, am ending
the law on mileage. The statute now
allows the members ten cents mile
each way by the route usually travelled.
g lite number draw over $50 each, but
the real fare-and the money value of
the time also-is not a quarter of this
sum. The fare to Chicago is $500,
aud the distance ia round numbers is
1000 miles. During session fare is
charged for one way only, and very
likely the bulk of the members travel
scot free. This MISUNDERSTANDING way pro-
vision is a relic of the days of stage
coaches, and is an abuse that needs re-
forming. Senator smith first introduced
a bill to pay mileage one way. To this
the objection was made that this legis-
lature, which had taken mileage both
ways, ought not to cut down the mile
age of the next legislature, and the
committee reported adversely to the
bill. Senator Smith then by joint reso-
luton sought TO make the mileage paid
for the extra session for one way only,
but this was defeated by vote of eight
to nineteen. Here is reform for the
next legislature to make.