The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-11-02


bill to charter the Rutland and Canada
railroad company, the bill allowing the Rut-
land railroad company to purchase or lease
any other road In or out Of the State, the
bill to charter the Champlain Construction
company and the bill allowing the consol-
dating OF the Bennington aud the Hoosac
electric roads.
The announcement Thursday morning
of the very sudden death Of the venerable
member from Stamford was a decided
shock to the General Assembly and the
community. Although MIR. Hall had not
been In good health for some little time
there was nothing to indicate a serious con-
dition, much less such speedy and fatal
termination The first known was when
he was found in bed in q dying condition.
physician was at once called but he
was dead before assistance reached him
The cause assigned was heart failure. Mrs
Hall was with her husband at the time, and
Is Frustrated by the sad event.
On the announcement Of his death in the
House joint resolution was Immediately
presented reciting the fact and both Houses
adjourned to 10 80 Friday morning
committee consisting OF the members
from Dover, Reads boro, Searsburg and
Wilmington was appointed to accompany
the remains TO the late home OF the deceas.
ed and the party left Friday morning.
Mr. Hall, who was the oldest member of
the House, was born in Halifax, VT, Aug
ust IL, 1921. He had held all the town off.
ces, been assistant judge, aud was a dele
gate to the constitutional convention in 1840
He was town clerk for twenty-five years,
and was held in the highest regard by very
wide acquaintance. he was a lumberman
by occupation but had long since retired
from business.
Senator Blodgetts bill to abolish a fixed
term Of imprsOu meut in States prison aud
establishing In its place maximum and
minimum Term dependable on good be-
rHfssV Ia In Il
rapidly growing sentiment in the State.
1t does seem IA If this was exact Justice
and right. Senator BlOdgett's other bills
habitual criminal act as in force in other
states and the act creating a probation Of
fcer by county courts who shall enquire
into and may recon mend the parole of
prisoners during good behavior, also have
decided merit behiud them.
Thus far, petitions for municipal suffrage
Tor women appear TO come from the viciu-
ity of Orleans county, another one from
that county coming in from the member
from Barton yesterday.
Another license bill with referendum
annexed came in ON Friday from Mr.. Della
hanty Of Castleton. The bill requires that
arrangements be made at the next March
meeting to vote yes" or emo" on the adop-
ton OF this bill az law. The bill is a very
extensive one, and appears to be very
stringent in its provisions.
A petition of nearly 1900 came in from
Orleans county on Friday morning, asking
that the laws be amended so az TO allow the
people to choose between the commissioner
and high way surveyor system of maintain
ing highways.
Representative Dickey threw bomb
shell into the judiciary committee on Fri
day by sending up bill abolishing side
judges of the county courts. III these time
honored ornaments were obliterated, who
would keep the flies off the presiding
judge2
The member from Hyde Park opens the
ball in which his town and Morristown are
the two.piece orchestra, by the annexation
of chunk of Morrstown to the shire
town. Judging by the lively way in
which the matter was inaugurated in the
House, the entertainment will be a very
exhilarating one.
The Kings Daughters, through Senator
Sayles, want legis lation preventing the
slaughter of birds for millinery purposes.
This is a noble organization of women, and
as usual, they speak for the right.
A bill taxing bicycles is coming right
along, which the discussion among members
indicates has many friends.
The member from Vergennes wants to
stop the shooting of wild ducks by moon
light This, if enacted, will ruin an extern
sive industry.
The House, which has been so tremen-
dously rushed for the past few days, or
dered the Rutland Canadian railroad bill
to lie on Friday for further consideration
because the overworked members hadn't
had time to read it. There appears to be
no actual opposition to its passage, but the
attempt to do business when it was ready
to be done evidently scared the House.
The bill chartering the Champlain Con-
struction Company was also ordered to lie
for the same "good reason" aud was made
a special order for Tuesday forenoon.
The two brothers Watson, one the Sena-
tor from Windsor and the second the men,
Der from Woodbury., are the only instance
Of brothers serving in the same Legislature
in many years.
The bill Of Senator BARTLETT to make
Brighton-Island Pond-the shire town of
Essex county in place Of Guildhall should,
1t appears to an outsider, have been law
years ago. With all respect for Guildhall it
Is an inaccessible back number OF a town in
which to maintain county buildings, and
with the exception OF the inhabitants Of
that town the change should be most &C
ceptable to all concerned.
From every standpoint OF practical in.
dustry, common sense and application to
the duties Of the hour, there was absolutely
no justification or excuse for the adjourn
ment OF the Legislature over Saturday.
There was no necessity for 1t; on the con-
trary there was every good reason why it
should have sat and transacted business at
least part of to-day. Both bodies are
overwhelmed with work, and 1t is coming
in an avalanche every hour and from every
direction. The DAILY JOURNAL has hereto
fore defended and justly the General AS
sembly against the continuous criticisms OF
the State press and its correspondents, but
it cannot convince itself that such pro-
crastination Is in any manner justifable.
The life Of the session is rapidly fading, and
every working hour, at least, is necessary
for the proper consideration and transaction
OF present and future business.
The "vslued policy" bill wandered in
on Friday afternoon, slightlyll dis6gured
from knockouts in previous sessions, but
still hale and hearty. Welcome. old man,
you are entitled to generation because of
your age II not on on your merits
The member from st. Adams town would
allow State prisoners at Windsor and Rut-
land to be leased for the purpose of the con-
struction or permanent repair of highways
in any town. Why not2
A Joint resolution from Mr.. Cartmell ON
Friday asking that our delegation in Con-
gress be directed to secure for the State
II possible. the cannon captured by Adj
mirsl Dewey at Manila, was unanimously
adopted on the part OF the House.