Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-10-09

of the legislative force took the opportu-
nifty offered by this first and perhaps
longest period of adjournment, to visit
home and render an account OF the DO
ings at the 18th biennial session. There
had been accomplished more business
than was done in the same time at the last
session and a quantity of resolutions, to-
.gether with three bills, have come before
the Assembly, while one bill had come
up in the Senate. The Senate adjourned
at 10 o'clock and the House an hour
later, and by afternoon large part of
the members were on their way home.
To-day they have been returning, and
with the beginning of this weeks ses-
sion, business will also revive and the
real work Of the session will begin.
Much interest was expressed in what
Governor Fuller would say in his mes
sage relative to the enforcement of the
prohibitory law and there is an inclina-
tion on the part of many to think that
the Governors information, received in
reply to his circular letter was a little
padded in many out of the 800 replies
that he received. He says: 1.-The re-
plies received from 80 per cent. of all the
towns in the State are unanimous that
there is no liquor illegally sold in those
towns.
"The replies received from 80 per cent.
of all the towns in the State are divided,
but careful study of the replies would
seem to indicate that there was but little
if any, liquor sold, and in most cases
they are mere conjectures, so that for the
purpose of this discussion it is not unfair
to add these to the first series of replies,
making 50 per cent. of the towns in the
State from which the liquor traffic has
practically been driven out.
THE replies from Is per cent of the
towns in the State are unanimous that
there is illegal liquor selling in those
towns"
Governor Woodbury. in his message,
also, refers somewhat at length to the
present law.
I'VE have made editorial comment in
another place, and so omit here.-ED.
In commenting upon Governor Fuller's
message, the Burlington Free Press, re-
ferring to that part relating to the pro-
hibitory law, says: "The fact and deduc-
tions made will, however, furnish cold
comfort for those who have hoped for
the introduction of license system in
place of the prohibitory law"
The Rutland Herald, which is known
as license paper, says in its comments
upon the messages: 1.-THE most notable
feature of both messages will be found
in the illusions to the prohibitory law.
In both it is substantially admitted that
prohibition in Vermont does not pro-
hibit. Both men stopped short of TAX
ing the old familiar ground that every
thing went well and that only few
'rummies' were making fuss. The
facts presented by the Herald in recent
months could not be passed over by any
reasonable man."
One thing can be safely predicted,
and that is there will be a license or
local option bill introduced at this SEES
sion.
Bennington county fares pretty we'll
on the different committees in both
branches. Senator Gibson is on the FL
nance, Military and Land Taxes com
mittees; Senator Barber is chairman of
the Committee on Judiciary, and is also
on the Railroad Committee. In the
House, Mr.. Bingham is chairman of the
Committee ON Manufactures, and also
on the Ways and Means. Bowles of
Woodford, is one of the Committee on
Education; Orvis of Manchester, on
railroads; Merchant of Pownal. on high
ways and bridges; Loveland of Dorset,
on land taxes; Madison of Glastonbury,
on grand list; Eaton of Arlington, on
the General Committee.
One of the first bills introduced into
the House was by Mr., Weston of New
fame, House bill, No. 3, providing for
free text books in the public schools,
from April LIST, 1895. Referred to Com
mittee on Education.
A similar bill was introduced two
years ago, and easily passed the House.
1t was sent to the Senate, where it was
pigeonholed, and in the last days rush
was forgotten, otherwise it would have
no doubt become a law.
Appearances indicate that the social
events are to be numerous during the
present session. Already joint resolu-
tions have been passed granting the use
of the Hall of Representatives to the
Vermont Medical Society, such time as
it is not in use October 18th to 18th, and
to the Vermont Historical Society, for
a lecture by H. o. Houghton of Cam
bridge, Mass, the evening of October
25th.
In addition to these will be the annual
meeting of the Vermont Bar Associa-
ton, of which the Hon. George W. Har-
man of your town, is the second oldest
mem DER, Cne annual meeUlnS OF the V er-
mont Officers Association, of which
Maj. A. B. Valentine of your village,
is president.
Next week will be observed as Ladies'
Week, when receptions and other enter
tainments will be in order, and some
thing has already been announced for
each day and evening.
By general consent, Mr. Bowles of
WoOdford, appears to be the leader of
the few Democrats that are in the
House. His forces were well marshalled
when the time came for election of
Speaker, but when the vote was counted
only nine Democrats had voted, two
short. Mr.. Bowles was the object of
considerable chatting, in regard to the
loss of two from his party, but finally
informed his opponents, who were anx-
ious to know what had become of his
two men, that he understood they were
relatives of Mr.. Stickney, and as blood
is thicker than water, felt called upon to
vote for him.
A life size picture of Senator Redfield
Proctor, presented by him to the State,
Il l. L.