Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-11-06
OUR MONTPELIER LETTER.
our Regular Correspondence.

Law OF the land'' on the disputed lines
between the city and town, over 200 hun
dred Senators and Representatives
boarded the special train of five cars at
7.3O, at the Capital last Friday morning.
1t was happy company and contained
a large number of honorable gentle
men," who firmly voted mo" in the
Senate and House, and had thelI tickets
in their vest pockets when they so voted!
Just why they should be so two-sided
can as well be imagined as told. 1t is
hoped that hereafter they will vote as
they pray"
When Judge Lawrence, Rutland City's
able Representative, saw that merry darts
were being hurled at him for extending
the invitation, although at the city's eX-
pense. he made emphatic remarks that
it was not for partisan purposes, but
that this body of legislators might look
over the grounds for themselves, and
then vote as they thought best. This
certainly was fair proposition, and
open-handed. No stops of importance
were made until Burlington was reached
at SAC o'clock. After few minutes
rest in the Queen City, the delegation
was again on it's way. At Middlebury
special party of several business men of
both factions met the legislative party
and explained the arrangements made
for the entertainment and instruction of
the lawmakers. At Ills o'clock the
train arrived; at noon, dinner was served
which had been provided at the Bates,
Berwick and Bardwell Houses. At
few minutes past l O'Clock, carriages
were gotten into line as fast as possible,
to convey the entire party to the terri
tory involved in the controversy. The
procession was three quar- ers OF mile
long. A fairness in explanation on both
sides was prevalent. The special left
the Marble City at 40 and arrived at
Montpelier at SIS, the distance going
and coming being 216 miles. In CONVEX
sation with many on the return trip, it
was ascertained that no one was willing
to express "a decided opinion, yet several
did say that their opinions were some
what different, now that they had seen
FIR themSelves-in favor of which side
they did not say. In few days the bill
will come before the House, whether it
is reported adversely or not, by the COM
mittee, when able arguments pro and
con, will be listened to; however, it is
within bounds to maintain that the Leg
islaJure, doubtless, can vote as intelll-
gently without the arguments, inasmuch
as it has made careful and personal in
vestigation. 1t is feTvently hoped that
this big dispute between the city and
town of Rutland, will be closed at this
session, at least for decade of years.
The bill making the town or district
system of schools question of local OPP
ton, was reported upon adversely by the
committee, but was ordered to third
reading Tuesday, by vote of 1O2 yeas
to 80 nays. Several members were not
Nln,r 20 tl,aFt trDN yOIrlH ~ VIC
been "killed' then. The question of its
passage has been made a special order
for tomorrow (Tuesday), afternoon.
The trouble with our Legislatures is,
they do not try law long enough to
thoroughly test it before a fight for a
change commences. The manner in
which the town system stands up under
every form of attack is indicative of its
strength, and think that to-morrow's
verdict will be: Leave the law as it is. :"
The free text book bill, with it's rider of
a State commission, with the possibility
that the State may get into the hands
of a gigantic book trust, was wisely re-
committed to the Educational Commit
tee for reconsideration. The best inter
ests of the public schools demand that
neither towns, counties or State be COM
mitted in any way to any possible com
binatiOn of publishers, or monopoly. 1t
is a plain fact to the Hermit that with
, free text book system, State uniformity
! is a deluSion and snare, and cannot be
I enforced to any advantage with the vary
ing necessities and demands of different
localities and their surroundings. The
sentiment begins to prevail that it will
be better for each town to select their
own text books, but it is rather doubt
IN a nf m ttpn
will "act." They are capable and able
men, but the best are liable to err, yet
see no need of it in this case. But We'll
''learn to labor and to wait"
The House bill teaching patriotism IN
the public schools is approved by the
Governor.
The bill to provide for monument to
Thomas Chittenden, first Governor of
Vermont, is passed. Three thousand
dollars is appropriated.
House bill reducing legal interest to 5
per cent, is killed, as it should be-.
Now business men who have money to
let, will be more apt to leave it in Yer
mont The bill reducing trustee process
to five dollars, was killed.
Sunday, l attended the Episcopal
church and listened to sermon by
Bishop Hall of the Vermont Diocese.
The Reverend gentleman will remain at
Montpelier all this week and hold meet
lngs every day and evening.
Monday morning Mother Earth was
white with snow, which continued to fall
gently until we'll into the day.
Mr.. Mattison of Glastonbury, has in
troduced bill in the House to pay that
town 5000 as a reward for the arrest of
the murderer, Henry Mcdowell.
The subject of State flower will be
considered by the House Tuesday and
Wednesday of this week.
In the House, Monday afternoon, bill
25S, Gan act to enable women to become
voters under certain conditions, and pro-
visions for an intelligent ballot for all
peasons," was refused third reading.
Almost Immediately another bill and pc
tition on woman suffrage with numer-
GUS signatures, were presented, which
will probably meet the same fate.
House bill, 1875, introduced by Mr. Or
Wis of Manchester, IAN act laying a tax
ON Bennington county," passed the
House, with slight amendments, Mon
day afternoon. The act provides that a
tax of three cents on the dollar of the
Grand Lists of 1895, and of two cents in
1896, of the several towns in the county
of Bennington, be levied for the purpose
of paying the indebtedness of said cOun-
ty, defraying current expenses, repair.
ing the court house at Manchester, and
Il i