Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-11-27
OUR MONTPELIER LETTERS.
"From our Special Correspond
emit"
MONTPELIER, Nov. 26th, 1894

MONTPELIER, Nov. 26th, 1894.
When the Legislature adjourned Fri.
day night there was little doubt in the
minds of any of the legislators but what
all work would be completed by Wednes-
day, and the final adjournment take
place that day. Speaker Stickney had
remarked that the House would be ready.
There were no special orders for Satur-
day, and but few bills for the third read
ing. But during the time between the
adjournment and Saturday morning a
change came over the spirit of the
dream. Friday the Senate passed the
Rutland division bill. The vote was
close, IA to 13. and those opposed to the
division, in other words, the city people,
were not satisfied During the evening
and we'll into the night some lively work
was done, and almost as soon as the Sen
ate was ready for business motion was
made to reconsider the bill and recOmmit
it to the committee having it in charge, for
the purpose of having various amend
ments tackled to it. The men who are
fighting in favor of the city have decided
to take advantage of this opportunity,
and it is announced that they will pro-
long the discussion of the matter until
the very last hour of the session in order
to defeat its passage If they succeed in
carrying out their purpose it will result
in seriously interfering with other legis-
lation, as there are numerous measures
awaiting consideration, which will have
to be neglected. The fight promises to
be one or the most bitter that has been
waged in the Vermont Legislature in
many years.
One of the best speeches made against
the division was that of Senator Barber of
your county. The gentleman has before
addressed the senate on bills fully as
important as this, but he never appeared
to better advantage than at this time.
He has an easy way of speaking. and al
ways attracts the attention of his col
leagues when he has the floor. He was
thoroughly in earnest upon his subject,
and thought that sentiment should not
enter into this bill. Referring to the
committee he said that the one that
fixed the city lines two years ago was as
fully capable of doing it right, as the one
of this session, and their report was just
as much entitled to credit as was this.
Both the Senators from Bennington
county voted against the division bill.
What the outcome of this present condi-
ton of affairs will be it is hard to tell, or
even imagine.
Friday night had made my arrange
ments to be one of the first to leave after
adjournment, and expected that this
would be the last that you would hear
from your Special" but to-day l am not
quite so sure. 1t may be that there will
be chance for me to "tIre" your readers
more, but one thing is certain, am ready
to stop on short notice, and as a friend
suggested when l casually made the
remark: perhaps BANNER readers will
be glad to have you"
Friday the committee on highways re-
highway commissioners, created by the
act of 1892. The act introduced further
provides that such board shall investi-,
gate and determine the cost and meth
DDS of highway construction and that
this shall be recommended for the con-
slderation of county boards. The road
commissioners of the several towns in
each county constituting such county
board. The 5 per cent. State tax shall
hereafter be used to permanently rebuild
or repair portions of the main thorough
fares in each town.
The revised statutes were also consid-
cred in the House and without debate
were unanimously passed. Though
there is a possibility that they will be
dismissed in the Senate It is probable
that they will pass that chamber in the
same manner as they did the House, in
as much as almost majority of the Sen
ate were members of the judiciary COM
mittee to whom they were referred.
The House the same day passed the
Dill TeldJlDB 10 lTe6 Ie8G DOCKS, dlLer
much amending and more discussion. AS
it now provides the bill compels school
directors of each town to provide and
furnish, at the expense of the town, all
free text books and appliances. TIE Sc
lection is to be made by the directors
and the town superintendent. every new
text book must continue in use for at
least five years.
The hill creating the city of Barre has
also passed both houses and been signed
by the Governor. This has only been Sc
cured after large amount of hard work
by the committee appointed to draft
city charter. The bill has been Yigor-
ously opposed by many wealthy taxpay-
ers inside the new city limits and by
farmers who are to be residents of the
new town of Barre.
When the bill came up for final action
in the Senate Friday afternoon Senator
Worthen presented petition of 800 tax
payers and voters, obtained in II hours,
asking for the passage of the bill. The
petition was unrolled and reached nearly