The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-10-28

the people of Montpelier decide the fat, of
Senator Deals bill, IL would be read " by
its title only and passed unanimously.
EVERYTHING was smooth and pleasant az
a June afternoon at the joint assembly on
Thursday until tho office of sixth assistant
judge was reached when MIR. Blake of
Milton nominal d Joel Q. Baker in opposi-
ton TO non. l.. III. Thompson Then the
democrats wanted to take a hand, and Mr..
Hall of Bakersfield SHE'D the name of s. G.
Shurtleh into the ring. 1t was rumored
that the opposition to Judge Thomson
was because of his impartial and strict en-
fOrcement Of the prOhibitory law. Such
opposition IL creditable to a Judge, as the
triumphant election of Judge Thompson
gave evidence.
THE informal reception held by Hon.
Justin 5. Morrill, in the executive chamber,
after his address before the joint assembly,
continued for about half au hour and was
enjoyed by all concerned. The venerable
senator took each mem Der of the Senate
and House by the hand, and took occasion
to indulge in many pleasant word and bit
of humor as the line passed before him.
He appeared to enjoy this informal greet
ing, and II is certain that the Congratula-
lions rendered him by Senators and Repre-
sentatives were hearty and sincere. Gov
ernor Grout received also. Lieutenant
Governor Fisk, Secretary Brownell,
Speaker Lord and Clerk Rowland pre-
sented the members to the receiving party.
In justice to the democrats in the House,
it should be said that the nomination of
Stephen g. Shurtleff was presented for
sixth assistant judge in the general assem-
bly, on Thursday by Mr.. Hall of Bakers
field without their knowledge or consent.
At a caucus Of democratic members, held
Wednesday evening, it was decided to place
no democrat in nomination for the Office, but
Mr.. Hall took the responsibility upon him
self to represent the democrats and nomi.
nate Mr.. Shurtleff. Inasmuch as at least
three OF these democratic gentlemen declare
that they did not vote at all on this nomina-
ton, it is certain that some republicans
must have voted for Mr.. Shurtleff, as he re-
celved seventeen votes
mitted in writing, Thursday, to both houses
by Governor Grout is as follows: 81 deem
1t my duty to inform the General Assembly
that the grand jury of Washington county
has indicted the superintendent of the
asylum at Waterbury for alleged cruelty to
the insane patients of that institution, aud L
would recommend an ascertainment of the
facts upon W nich such action of said grand
jury is predicated, by joint special commit
tee composed Of such number of senators
and representatives relatively as in your
wisdom may be considered best, or in such
other way as may commend itself to your
Judgment. The report of such committee
sh ould be made as promptly as may be con-
sistent with a broad and complete investi-
CATION of the complaints, so that an inter-
ested public may, as soon as possible, know
the truth of the premises"
j. H DoNNELLy OF Vergennes, who is a
member OF the executive committee OF the
Vermont State Firemens Association, was
in the city on Thursday making arrange
meDts for the holding of meeting of the
committee inVergennes to-day "wednesday
when a bill is to be drafted for presenta-
ton to the legislature. This bill is to pro-
vide for the establishment of a benefit as
ISOLATION in this state for the assistance of
firemen who are disabled while in the per-
formance Of their duties. The funds for the
association are to be raised by the several
companies in the state, and the fire insur-
ance companies doing business in the state
Will be asked to cooperate In the work by
setting aside certain per cent of their n It
receipts for this purpose Vermont is the
only state which is without one of these as
sociations, and it is expected that she will
soon be enrolled in this charitable work.
PoNDERING over Senator Deals bill for
taking the vote of the members of the state
government and General Assembly at
Montpelier, Notes fell to figuring up the
amount the state would pay in debentures
for the period usually covered by adjourn
ment to vote at the national election, and
for which no appreciable service is rem
dered, unless it be the negative service that
Mhtu Jue ltRlSldlOTS are away from Ine cap
ital they are doing no harm by making bad
laws. Adjournment would he fixed os-
tensibly on Friday afternoon, Oct. 80, to re-
convene on Wednesday, Nov. A. In the
record of things accomplished, both Friday
and Wedne 4day would, in fact, be dies non.
Five " working days" would be jst, and,
II Governor GrOut is right in saving that
legislative expenses "are fully 81 200 for
every working day." the state would
pay $4,000 for services not rendered. Why,
indeed, should not Senator DEALS bill be-
come a law? When Notes extended his
meditations to the corollary to the gov
ernor's main statement, to wit, that the
cost of law-making is $500 for every hour
and So for every minute" he became puz-
zled 1t is worthy of remark that legisla-
tive expenses are the same for Sundays as
for working days. for the pay of la =
makers is no resp 'cter of the Lords day.
But this aside " working day" is gem
orally taken to be day of tn hours Now,
if the cost of legislation ais 81 200 for every
working day." what Notes wants to know
il, why is not the cost for every hour S120,
and for every minute 50? Or II a solar day
is considered. $50 for every hour and 1874
cents for every minute? Is anything the
matter with His Excellency's cipherng, or
is Notes simply dull at fggers"?