Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-10-20
tFrom Our Staff Correspc ndent)

(frOm our stan COrreSpC ndent)
Montpelier, oct l9.-The main topic of
conversation has been the discussion oi
lhc railroad reorganization bill to form
3he Central Vermont Railway company.
"Why was 1t introduced in both houses
VI once is asked.
"ls the plan to rush it through before
Is effect is discovered" was another
lucry which found expression on the
auct. y thorough inquiry was made
among representatives and senators by
the Free Press correspondent and II was
found that strong opposition was forming
on the statement made exclusively in to-
days Free Press that the unsecured IN
dehtedncss of the road was not cared for
in the plan of reorganization on which
the bill WAS drawn and introduced.
Further investigation of the plan ana
the condition of the road show that the
bill enacted into law would enable rob
berry which would disgust every honest
resident in the State.
The issuing Of $l2Oo0,0oo in bonds by the
new organization will amply suffice for all
indcht edness of the road secured and un-
secured and it is popularity believed VIII
leave "A bonus in the hands OF the Teor-
ganizers with good p aging property un-
der its control
Here il ought TO be explained that this
plan is not the plan of the minority stock
holders of the road, or the Vermont mem
but is a plan of the Grand Trunk railway
company who arc the promoters Of the
bill. This Is a proposition Of foreign cor
porations which has been held IN check
for two years by the American courts
and they introduced this bill with tho
hope of cutting off all hope for reimburse
ment or standing before the courts OF
large class of honest creditors by legis"
latlve enactment. II can be stated that
all opposition expressed or hinted by
members Of the Legislature was based on
this fact II the hill provided for all hon
est Indebtedness nothing objectionable in
il could be discovered. 1t Is generally un-
derstood that a majority Of the stock
viii be held by the Grand Trunk railway
but the provision is that a majority OF
the directors must be residents of this
State who have "A right of appeal to
American courts. 1t shows that Vermont
interests can be properly guarded and
puts the property in the best possible con-
dtion
The railroad committee of the House
met to-day and are supposed to have
transacted some business, but nothing Is
made public. However, 1t Is safe to pre-
diet that unless the bill is modified to
provide for the Indebtedness stated In this
article, some stormy sessions of that COM
mlttec are in store. With all honest in
debtedness provided for, ii is sure the
bill will meet with no opposition in the
Legislature. A law Will be passed which
will not stain the honor of the state or
sny resident. expensive litigation by cred
itors will be stopped, and the road placed
on a sound financial basis, which Will
mean a renewed period Of prosperity that
Nermonters will always feel closely iden-
tihed with.
Interest tonight is centered on the fight
pver State superintendent of education
Other contests have also developed in the
elections to be held tomorrow afternoon.
To predict the result of TIE light tonight
L. = task too hazardous to be undertaken.
State Superintendent Stone had the fight
won a week ago and could have been
elected hands down but the opposition has
been making rapid inroads on his forces
since that time. With the election defer
red 4S hours it seems certain tonight that
Stone would be defeated. His friends
however, predict that he will be elected
by a handsome majority. some saying h,
will get three iifths' of the vote cast. or
the other hand the friends of Dunton ar,
gaining strength very fast and feel muci
encouraged over the outlook. one thinE
which has caused great change in The
feeling is the publication in the st. Al
bai,s Messenger Of the result of Wednes
uay nights democratic caucus This ar
ticle stated a small majority Of the dem
OCrcts expressed themselves in favor q
Mr.. Stone on the distinct understanding
that Mr. Stone Ia democrat ana the vote
of The democrats to adhere to the uni
rule makes them solidly fer stone.
The fact that Mr.. Stone secured thii
vote on the ground of being a democra
came as a surprise TO mary members VIII
had supported him on the ground of hi
heing q republican. 1t is known that thi
development has caused "A great chang
in the vote of several counties which II
the caucus had shown majority 70
Stone 1t is claimed by prominent part
.,it, hat hoy hnNEn hnn
unable to secure Mr.. stores vote at eleC
ton for four years past. he going out D
the State or city Just previous to elec
tOn day and refusing to come back I
vote If Mr.. Stone is defeated ii will b
by this dual or non-committal course h
has pursued as d citizen and politician
In securing his support Mr. Dunton sti
stands aloof from personal participate
In the contest and his defeat, should
come, will be In no sense a personal one
His friends have supported him couI
ageously and feel more confident of
victory this evening than at any otho
time during the fight
1t can be said that the Senate will <
almost as unit in favor of Mr.. Dunto
but among the members from the sma
towns lies the deciding vote and 1t came
be ascertained tonight whether or not the
remain firm to their original pledges. Th
contest will he In dot bt until the ballot
In the joint assembly are counted to-mol
row afternoon.
It was learned late tonight that tn
friends of Senator j. b. Pickett woul
present his name for judge advocate ger
eral, but 1t could not be learned whethe
there would be any opposition.
In the legislative chambers there hn
been good work accomplished to-da
There have been good many bills intr,
duced several have passed to their thir