Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-10-23
THE LEGISLATURE.
Our Montpelier Letter.
The Biennial Machine Again in
Running Order.

| Visions OF various fuDl1c Bills.
MONTPELIER, Oct 21, 1896.
The legislature, in both branches, has
now got down to solid work. Bills are
coming in at lively rate. The commit
tees have got into harness and the subjects
of conversation among the members have
changed from the gloomy weather and tn e
political prospect to the affairs of state as
they relate to highways and bridges,
schools, taxation, fish and game, salaries
and fox bounties. The first two weeks of
the session have been quiet ones and criti-
cism has not been lacking to the effect
that the legislators we're shirking their
work, but the truth of the matter probably
is that they would have been very glad to
put in more hours had there been IN ore
work to do. 1t is undoubtedly true that
the 275 men who, with the governor, CON-
pose the law-making power originate but a
small portion of the measures which come
before them for action. The others come
from their constituents, many of them be-
ing the result of newspaper discussion and
the general interest in public affairs awak-
ened during the legislative session. So it
frequently happens that many of the most
important bills do not get before the legis-
lature till well into the term or near its
close, and this means hurried, and perhaps
not sufficiently considered, work for the last
part of the session. 1t is hardly right to
assume that this condition of things is one
that the members of legislature prefer or
are fully responsible for.
Most of the chairmen of the important
house committees have but one committee
appointment and will be able to keep their
work well in hand. There seems to be
also a general feeling that this is good
year to kill ali bills that have not got suf-
ficient strength TO bear their own weight.
When a member who is pretty good fel-
low presents bill it is quite common
practice to fix it over so that it wont be
very Objectionable law and put it through,
even If it is not very much needed, but the
sentiment this session seems to be that
something more than mans name on a
bill will be necessary to pass it.
The leading event of the week has been
the election of United States senator.
Every Republican member of the legisla-
ture, no matter what his personal prefer
ence IN the matter, knew what his constit-
uents would demand of him on this occa-
sion and every one of them met the de-
mand. At half past 2 o'clock Tuesday
each house separately proceeded to the
election. In the senate Mr.. Morrill's name
was presented in very eloquent manner
by Senator Sargent of Orange county, and
seconded by Senators Ward of Washing.
ton, Loveland of Windsor, Stone of Frank
lin and Hulburd of Lamoille. Senator
1 IL L
full senate.
Senator MOrrilrs Reelection.
In the house Mr.. Morril's name was
presented by Mr.. Gleason of Thetford, and
was seconded by Mr.. Palmer of Waterbury,
Mr.. Childs of st. AlbaDs, Mr.. Haskins OF
Brattleboro and Mr.. Bates of st. Johns
bury. The name of II. f. Brigham OF
Bakersfield was presented as the Demo
cratic candidate by Mr.. Conlin of Col
chester, and seconded by Mr. Hall Of
Bakersfield. The speeches were all good
ones, that of Mr.. Haskins being generally
spoken of as one of the best. Mr.. Has.
kins said:
nation Of Hon. Justin S. Morrill, am fully con
scious that no word of mine can change a vote
that is to be cast, will add one title to his great
name and fame; and yet l cannot forego the
pleasure OF testify ing my personal love and re
gard, well as that of the people of Windham
county, for the man who has served them SO wei
and faithfully-a feeling which believe is shared
by the people of the whole state. Entering Con
gress in 1855 he has given our state and the coun
try valuable service for more than 40 years, anC
at period the most important in all its history
During all this time he never did an act, he neve
uttered a speech or gave vote that would brini
a blush Of shame to the cheek Of any true son o
Vermont, but rather feeling of pride in what h'
did for us and his country. He is acknowledged
, authority upon all financial and economic ques
nd infaFna CnhIPpfG a q 4vall Har rva
one of seven senators who voted right on thu
Venezuelan boundary-line question: and never TO
a moment lost his head as did many others. 1t /
said that he is an old man. He is well advanced
In years but still vigorous in mind and body. TIL,
last days of the month of August had the grea
honor and privilege OF being his guest at his hom
in Strafford, and, sir, can assure you that he /
possessed of greater mental and physical vigo
, and power than many other men much younge
than himself The gentleman from Thetford ha
told you that he is the nestor of the United State
, Senate. Sir, say 10 you, and to the house, tina
in craftsmanship be is the peer of any other man
the Gladstone of America. did sincerely hop
that he might be accorded unanimous re
l election, and that no other candidate would b.
presented. II gives me great pleasure to secon,
the denomination of the Honorable Justin S
: Morrill, of Strafford."
l With 10 members of the house absen
: the vote resulted: Justin S. Morrill,, 213
| H. F. Brigham, II. The election wa,
Q completed today by both houses meeting
9 in joint assembly at noon and listening Il
g the reading of the record of the proceed
ings of each house yesterday in the matter
/, and the declaration of the election BY
E Lieut.-Gov. Fisk. A committee consist
5 ing of Senator Sargent of Orange, ant
{ Representatives Darling of Bennington
! and Conlin of Colchester was then ap
a pointed to wait on the senator-elect an
g conduct him to the chair. Senator Nor
Q rill was introduced by the lieutenant gov
= ernor and was very enthusiastically ap
r plauded In his address Mr.. Morrill, felc
: itously recognized the honor done him IL
this reelection, saying:
"of course you are not unaware that in lengt
Of congressional service, my 12 years In tn
House Of Representatives and 20 years more 4
the Senate, amounting to IL years, exceeds tha
OF any other member of Congress-, past or pres
ent-that OF Senator Sherman of Ohio being 8
years, and that of Nathaniel Macon of Mort
Carolina also 81 years, In House or Senate, fron
1871 to 1923. The reelection to the United State
Senate for a sixth term, on top of 12 years OF pr
OF service in the House, being unprecedent
likely to become historic and regret that hav
not more 10 my credit for its Justification; but
must be permitted to interpret it a general az
proval, by a beloved state, of my record in Cor
gress for many years, on many measures, dul
ing eras which are already historic, and will fol-
ever so remain"
The Senator recalled briefly the phenom
email growth of the country since his frs
III