The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-10-19
LEGISLATIVE NOTES,

The Randolph Herald, whose editor is
one of the House reporters, has sized mat
ters up and arrived at this conclusion;
"Some prohibltionists oppose referendum
because. as they view it, they have every
thing to lose and nothing to gain IL Is
incredible, however, that any considerable
number of people worship the law to
the extent that they want 1T retained
even il public sentiment is found to con-
denim it. Such law could OF course be
nothing more than complete failure. By
fighting the referendum, we fear these peo-
Pile are only Fastening the coming OF Ii
cense."
Is it all right for the chairman of a COM
mittee to make the most of his opportunity
as a member of the Legislature and one Of
its officers to advance his candidacy for an
important State office, and all wrong for an
other man who holds that office, and who
has yielded to importantly to stand for re-
election, to defend his candidacy by en-
tirely frank and honorable means? The
things some members are reporter as say
ing would seem to indicate that the man
who is in should lie supinely down and al
low the Juggernaut of competition to roll
over and crush him. Any candidate for
public Office, by his own will or the will OF
others, who would do this thing lacks the
spirit that invites confidence and support.
The Burlington Daily NeCs has thought
of an evil TO be corrected, and gives express
sion to it in the following concise language:
1--WE renew our appeal 70 the Legislature
to adopt the system OF indetermlnate SEN
fences. The just-issued report of our house
of correction showed that OF the 722 COM
mitments no fewer than SS5 were not for the
first time. One hoary vagaoond hes been
sent to the institution tUenty-one times,
two twenty and one each seventeen,
eighteen and nineteen times: and eighty
five have been sent down twice, forty-two
three times and twenty-five four times.
1t is an enormous expense to the state and
immense damage to the community to daily
with born criminals in this manner. Every
member of this class, for the protection of
the community, should be shut up for life,
or until satisfactory evidence OF reform is
given, and in that case they should be re-
leased only on ticket OF leave"
The Mortified Neps offers to the Legis-
lature large chunk of food for thought in
the following:
"Do the high license advocates, who are
talking 80 strongly in favor of referendum
on the liquor laws purpose to ignore the
first principles of such a system and ask
the Legislature to consider the matter with
out presenting any general petitionY The
only proper way to attract the attention OF
law makers to the matter is through Pc
tition signed by as large number OF voters
as can be secured in favor OF the measure.
The Legislature will then be able to act in
telligently upon the matter, after consider
ing the standing, the location OF the signers
and other pertinent matters connected with
the petition. To attempt to get action on
any other basis will and ought to prove a
total failure"
One of the most generally satisfactory and
eminently proper OF the Governors stan
appointments is that Of Colonel Emery OF
Chelsea. The able and popular member
from Chelsea Is certainly an instance OF
conspicuous fitness recognized.
The pleasant situation of clerk to the
committee on the revision of bills Is this
year held by G. II. Lord Of this city.
1 very much fear that the idea of Mr.
Waterman OF Chester allowing town Of
hcials to hire spoilers on illegal liquor
sellers is rather OVERRIDING. the business
such devious means Is very questionable
policy just now.
The capital city is cheered on its way by
the appearance Of legislation looking
toward q new Jail. The bill introduced by
Representative Kemp yesterday authorizes
the assistant judges, on or before December
10 In each OF the years OF 1888, 1899 and 1SOC
to issue warrants for tax not exceeding
- per cent OF the grand list Of the county
for procuring site and erecting county
Jail. James W. Brock, M. e. Smile anG
j. II. Senter are named as commission Il
procure site and erect the jail At the
request Of Mr.. Kemp the bill YVES referred
to special committee. consisting OF thu
Washington county members.
In the selection OF his staff, Gov. Smith ap
pears to have had in mind the colossal bod.
in which all were giants. Such men Al
Colonel Human, Brown, Bingham
Stranahan. Emery and Chsffee are tower
ing heights OF physical manliness. such Al
would have delighted the heart of the grea
Frederick. Encased in serried loops O
two-inch bullion cable. just won't the.
look huge?
Representative Dickey has a third inter
est in rotary engine just patented by al
Orange county man, and which promise
to revolutionize everything of the kim
now in use.
A mighty hunter before the Lord is ReI
resentative Frank Durkee Of Pittsfeld, VIII
extinguished a bear in his town last Frida
and brought him up last night on the fou
o'clock train from Randolph. The bear ha
devastated the surrounding country and tn
day he was apprehended. had caused
hearty yearling steer to ascend the golde
stair and was about to lunch off It's re
mains. His bearship was caught In Mi
Durkee's trap, which was brought up an
shown with the carcass. The especial poin
in the incident is that the bear weighed 28
pounds after being disembowelled, the lal
gest bear killed in Vermont for long time
Representative Wall Of Randolph bougl
the skin for rug, and the carcass wa
placed on exhibition at Standish's market.
Honors are even in the Senate and House
Both bodies passed their first bill Monda
afternoon.
The White River junction Ldndmar
says OF Gov. CIRCUITS argument for bette
caucus system that "The demand is in a,
cord with popular sentiment. Caucu
jumping and convention raiding should b
prevented. A caucus should be az earefnll
guarded as the election. In Vernon
where caucus nomination by the dom
nant party is equivalent to an election
there IL great need OF such law, more /
than in States where parties are about ever
ly divided and the best and strongest cal
didates must be presented in order to get
majority vote"