Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-11-27

expressed being that the present law was
evaded to some extent by placing $500
each in the name of several members of a
family, and the evil would be greater with
a higher limit; also that the present saw
ings bank depositor had less taxes to pay
than the average farmer. The supporters
of the bill took the ground that it is wise
public policy to encourage the keeping of
Vermont money at home; that the proposed
measure would encourage that result that
no class of personal property contributed
as much revenue in proportion to amount
as savings bank deposits; and that the pol
icy of restriction in the past had suited
in sending millions of dollars away from
Vermont, much of which is lost TO her
people forever. The third reading of the
bill was refused by vote of 10 to II.
1t is not often that the success or failure
of a measure of so much possible import
ance hangs on the change of a single vote,
as in this case.
Sale Ofthe Permanent CRmpgrOund Re
fused.
The bill providing for the sale of the
permanent camp ground was the promi-
nent feature of the Monday evening ses-
sion in the house. Col. Haskins was the
leading speaker for the bill, making an able
argument. The officers of the militia felt
that great mistake had been made in the
location and did not want it fixed upon
them permanently. Voicing their views
Col. Haskins introduced the bill. He did
not favor permanent camp ground. The
militia should hold their musters in differ
ent parts of the state, thus giving all sec
lions the benefits. The moral influences
were better in the smaller towns. Mr..
Smith of Burlington replied that Col. Has
kins had just helped to locate the Masonic
temple in Burlington, and that great
many people thought it safe to send their
boys and girls there to get an education at
the University. The house refused to en-
terrain the bill by quite large majority,
the prevailing feeling being that, although
it might be advisable to sell the grounds at
a later date it was not the time now.
A strong effort was made in the house to
limit the operation of the Australian ballot
law to towns of more than 1000 inhabi-
tants, but failed of success, although re-
ceiving strong support.
The bill providing for returning to the
old system of holding the supreme court in
the several counties met its death where it
had its birth, in the senate. The main
cause was the feeling by the majority that
it was in the line of backward movement.
A measure exciting good deal of at
tention was the one started with the idea
to reduce state expenses by cutting down
the salaries of several state boards. These
salaries were fixed by the house at the uni
form rate of three dollars per day. This
seemed to many a great injustice to such
boards as the railroad commissioners and
the state board of health, and in the line
of gripping those important offices by
making the salaries so small as to render it
Improbable that the best talent in the state
could be secured to FIJI them. The senate,
after great deal of wrangling, finally took
definite action in proposing to the house
an amendment providing that a uniform
rate of four dollars per day should be fixed,
giving the chairman of the board of rail-
road commissioners $500 per year extra,
and the chairman of the board of trustees
of the industrial school 500 extra. This
amendment was accepted by the house,
and while it is not definitely known how it
will affect the treasury it is pretty certain
that the net cost to the state will be little
more than before the attempted cut down.
A Harmonious Body.
Almost complete harmony has prevailed
between the senate acd house of 1896. A
few of the measures of each were summa-
rily "sat upon" by the other branch, pre-
sumably for the public good. The occa-
sion has arisen for only two conference
committees, and these were on trivial mat
tiers. The house contained an unusually
large number of prominent men, while
the senators were unknown to fame. 1t
was natural, and perhaps entirely proper,
that the former body should have had
little of the feeling of guardianship over
the latter.
Final adjournment was reached prompt
ly at s o'clock Wednesday morning, and
there was a quick dispersal of the men,
bers to their homes to be in readiness for
the traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
The total number of bills introduced in
both bodies was 1852, 626 being house bills
and 1876 senate bills. OF these 335 be-
came laws. Following is list of the pub
lie bills enacted:
Senate Bills Enacted.
1.-THE figures indicate the numbers by which the
bills were entered and known on the Senate and
House journals.
II. Allows state same number of challenges to
jurors as respondent in criminal cases
IA Repeats section taxing costs against re-
spondent making no defence.
20. Providing for apporlionment and distribu-
ton of state school tax in unorganized towns and
cores.
% Relating to apportionment of state high
way tax in unorganized towns and cores.
% Relating to collecting highway Ia X in unor-
gained towns and cores
"a, Provides certain changes in manner Of dis
continuing highways.
49, Limitation of time of action shall not ex-
pire in case of school districts having office of
both clerk and prudential committee vacant.
30. Makes legal school rs weeks in drawing
school money.
IS. Repeating bounties on noxious animals
Saves state expenditure of about $500 per year.
A.. Provides for winding up affairs of school
district when offices OF clerk and prudential COM
mittee vacant.
81. Selectmen may establish fire districts in
certain cases.
&C.. Making term of directors of state prison
and house of correction six years
mont.
II. Town treasurer collecting taxes NAV re-
issue warrant at any time within six years from
time collector receives warrant
az. Gives justices of the peace jurisdiction to
sentence tramps to house of correction.
50. Allows state geologist 1900 per year with
which to investigate mineral resources of the
state.
81. Authorizing towns and cities to vote money
Tor chartered non sectarian hospitals
93. legal voter of a town may vote for state
ohcers, congressman and presidential electors in
another town by presenting certificate from
town clerk that his name is on check list of his
own town.
lUs Providing for punishment for cruelty to
lo6 Provides that a surety on note may in Tn
action brought against time there's set up any
defence that principal might have done.
lOS by Senator FOSTER. Makes ii duty of
towns to erect ratings at all dangerous places on
highways under penalty of indictment.
III Selectmen shall annually appropriate and
expend $50 to $500 for care of public cemeteries
not provided with trust funds. In event of fail.
ure of selectmen in matter three taxpayers Of
town may make complaint TO road commissioner,
who shall carry out provisions of act.
l34 Foreign building and loan associations