News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1894-11-15
THE VERMONT LEGISLATURE.
Especial correspondence NEWS AND CITIZEN

in both branches has been suspended
| for the session. The committee on
mileage and debentures are about
ready to make the report on mile
age the committee on the revision
of the statutes will in all probability
report this week, and it may be
generally conceded that the members
of the legislature of 1894 will eat
their Thanksgiving turkey at home
undisturbed by thoughts of having
to return to Montpelier for an extra
long session. The committees are
working well and keeping their re-
ports up promptly on the measures
committed to their care.
The committees having the great.
est number of bills for consideration
are the committees on corporations
and the judiciary. The last named
committee has been the hardest
worked of any during the session
when other members and senators
were enjoying the quietude of their
own homes there was always more
than majority of the senate and
house judiciary committees who
stayed at Montpelier, working on
Saturdays and Monday forenoons on
the bills before them or the revision
of the statutes. Senator Barber and
Mr.. Read of Rockingham, the re-
spective chairmen of the judiciary
committees, have certainly as indi-
viduals, worked more than any other
members of the legislature, and if
the state is saved, as it will be, an
expense of $4,000, (which would have
been incurred by the extra long ses-
sion, it may be largely laid to the la
bors of these two gentlemen.
There have been no very large ap-
preparations called for at this SEES
sion, and while it cannot be said that
the finances of the state are escaping
at the bung hole of the treasurer's
bar'l, yet the innumerabIe small
leaks may show at the end of the
session that "mony a mickle makes
a muckle."
AS was anticipated at the COM
mencement of the session, the subject
of education has been the uppermost
one for legislative action. First
came the fight to disestablish the in
corporated schools, which was so
fiercely defended that the attacking
party was entirely routed and many
who had gone to the legislature with
the REORGANIZATION to vote in fa-
vor OF such measure, were scared
into desertion of their purpose and
an enlistment in the ranks of the 9th
er side. Then came the bill to allow
towns by two thirds vote to return
to the district system if they desired
so to do. Two weeks ago the bill
was ordered to a third by a close
vote,in which the friends of the meas
ure had three majority. One week
ago the measure again came up for
discussion, and while it was generally
supposed from the silence that has
characterized the session thus far,
that the house was not talking"
house, this subject acted like a charm
in unloosening tongues and setting
oratory free.
They argued it after breakfast,
And they argued it up to tea;
And the more they seem to argue
The more they couldn't agree.
Summed up, the argument of those
who opposed the measure was thatit
would be detrimental to the best in
terests OF education to return to the
old standard of the old district sys-
TEN. The gist of the claims made by
the supporters of the bill was that
the district system was better adapt
ed to the agricultural conditions of
Vermont, where, in most localities,
the homes of the children were long
distance from the school house. That
the bill proposed home rule for each
town. Of the Lamoille county dele
cation, Mr.. Delano of Elmore spoke
in opposition to the bill, as did Mr..
Smith of Morristown. The best
speeches made in support of the bill
were those by Mr.. Fuller of Barton,
Mr. Young of Newport and Mr.. Bal
lard of Georgia. The strongest ar
gument in opposition to the measure
was made by Judge Read.
The upshot of the whole discussion
was that the bill, on motion of Mr..
Ladd of Alburgh, was referred to a
special committee of seven to revise
and if necessary redraft. So the end
is not yet.
The best thought of the legislative
body has been given to this cause of
education. On all hands it is recog-
nized that it's interest is paramount.
The trouble seems to be in the selec-
tion of system-all are aiming toward
the same goal, but which is the best
road to travel by to reach it in the
safest and mostspeedy manner is not
yet decided. There is one measure
pending before the house, the mer-
it's of which are worthy the sup
port of every true friend of educa-
ton. 1t is a bill introduced by Mr..
Emerson of Rochester, and it's object
is to so enlarge the boundaries of
the incorporated schools in that
village as to take within it's folds all
the children of the town. This is de-
cidedly step in the right direction,
and if every graded school that has
a special charter would follow the
lead of this bill it would do more to
further the interest of education than
any other measure now pending be-
fore the legislature. There is a clause
in tho hill cnncifvipr tha+ tbo xoto,a