St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-11-16
THE LEGISLATURE.
Nearing the End-Thr Past Weeks Record a
the CAPITOL,

the Capitol.
Correspondence of the CALIFORNIAN.
MONTPELIER, Nov. 15.-The past
week has been an interesting one in
the legislative halls. The lawmakers
have realized that there were many
things to be done before Thanksgiv-
ing Day and have been turning off
large amount Of business. The
house has had several attacks OF
murderous inclination. and seems to
have taken delightful killing bills. 1t
is barely possible that, when satisfy
ing itself in this way, it is doing the
state good service, at least eight
times out OF ten. The senate has
not been much behind in this matter.
and quite number of measures that
the house has looked upon favorably
have been hustled to the legislative
graveyard by the upper branch.
The house of representatives was
never more crowded with interested
spectators than on Wednesday,
when the McGeary high license bill
was discussed. Mr.. Swasey Of
Barre, Mr.. Harris OF Bennington
and Mr.. McGeary spoke in favor Of
the bill, setting forth the same old
arguments in behalf of legalizing the
sale Of liquor. They didn't admire
the prohibitory law, which could
not be enforced, and they wanted to
try something else. The Bennington
man went so far as to hint that
many of the representatives who
would vote for the continuance OF
the present law very likely had
bottles of the ardent in their rooms
but this unfortunate suggestion
brought out pointed rebuke from
Mr.. Bond of Searsburg, and others.
Mr.. Simmons of Woodstock, Mr..
Ranney of Newport and Mr.. Dunton
OF Poultney spoke against the bill,
which was defeated by vote Of III
to 60. The friends of license figure
out that that they have made gain
over the situation of two years ago
and so feel comforted bit. Two
democrats voted against the bill
and % republicans for it. Mr.. Mat
tocks of Danville and Mr.. Webster
of Burke were the Caledonia county
members.
There was quite tilt in the hous,
over the bill providing for election o
representative by plurality insteat
of majority, and it was ordered tt
third reading by very close vote
The principal reasons urged in behal
Of the bill were that it would d,
away with the necessity for numer
GUS ballots, save great deal @
time, and more nearly make possibl
choice according to the will of tn
people. When the measure came u
for third reading the house was no
quite ready to state its opinion, S
it was made special order for thi
Tuesday, afternoon. II the hous
sees fit to pass such a bill the senat
is likely to kill it.
"The gentleman from Waterford
broke up the house on Thursda
with bit of humor. He had r,
ported adversely for the committe,
: bill attaching a heavy penalty t
the stealing Of poultry, and was il
terrogated as to why such repol
was made. Mr.. Hastings explaine
that stealing poultry was his chose
! calling, and that the committee, OF
a of sympathetic consideration ft
$ him, had decided to report the b
unfavorably. So the house procee
v ed to kill it without further delay.
u Among the interments of bills
: the house on Thursday was that
e the referendum" and the mourne
e wore confined to the democratic co
t tingent and few republicans.
l. 1.-The bill to abolish side judges d
not meet with much favor, but co
siderable time was given to discus
a. ing it, and a yea and nay vote w
n demanded. The third reading w
,s refused, LAP to 60. Evidently t
lie time to come.