St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-10-12

They Start on Another Two 7onth's Pro.
gramme- Organization Pertected-Prospects
Of interesting Sessions.


Of Interesting Sessions.
| Especial Correspondence of the CALIFORNIAN
MONTPELIER, Oct. 11-Vermont's
bienneal regulation Of affairs of state
is now in progress. 1t began on
Wednesday Of last week, and it will
end, in all probability, OH the day
before NV England's annual cele-
bration known as Thanksgiving
Day. Just what will happen at the
capitol between now and then can,
not be definitely stated at this writ
ing, but when one considers the
pointed suggestions and plain talk
contained in the messages of the re-
firing and the incoming governors,
and stops to think of recent agita-
ton along certain lines of state
economy, he need not be surprised If
fairly spicy legislative menu is
spread out before the session closes.
The National Guard, taxation, high
ways, the fisheries, the caucus, and
tuberculosis promise to afford cou-
siderable entertainment and then
there is that cherished chestnut, high
license, which may be expected to
claim attention in due season. AL
though nobody really looks for the
passage OF license law this year,
it seems certain that there will be
more talk than ever before on this
topic, and the increased number OF
democratic brethren alleged to have
been elected on some such basis as
this puts little "bead" on the agita.
against the prohibitory law. An
attempt will no doubt be made to
prove how rapidly high license senti
ment has grown in Vermont during
the past two years, but when it
comes to putting fellow on record,
by yea and nay vote on such a
subject as this why, that's different,
and the actual vote for high license
may not run parallel with the ante
session talk along that line.
The organization OF the legisIa-
ture was smoothly accomplished,
and Speaker Haskins was elect
ed, as he should have been
without opposition except in the
way of nomination by the democ-
racy, and he made a neat little
speech in acknowledgement of the
honor. Mr. Cheney had clear sail
ing for the clerkship, his experience
as assistant clerk giving him an adj
vantage which the house recognized !;
he has for his assistants Mr.. Hamil-
ton, who served in that capacity two
years ago, and Mr.. Mower, who was
at one time connected with a ST.
Johnsbury paper. The senate was
run under the old regime on We'd
nesday and Thursday. Lieut. Gov.
Fisk presiding. Mr.. Bates, the lieu
tenant-governor elect, was unable to
be present at the opening, by reason
of legal engagement in Orleans coun-
ty. The choice of Gen. J. G. McCul-
Tough as president pro tenn. was an
excellent move, as that gentleman is
a fine presiding officer and we'll up in
legislative practices. There was a
close rub in connection with the Sec
retaryship. Max Powell of Burling-
ton winning by one vote against
fourteen for c. c. Fletcher of St.
Adams.
Ia the matter Of the chaplaincy the
house set an example that is worth
putting down as precedent by
electing man for whom no button.
boiling had been done. Rev. ]. K.
Fuller of Barton Landing will be
model chaplain. If the house and
senate are to have daily devotional
exercises, the official conductors of
these exercises should be selected bv
some method which would entirely
preclude the wire.pulling INDUCED in
underline present system of getting
a chaplain.
The opinion long held by Montpel.
Ter, that the coming of the legisla-
ture always means rain, was con-
hrmed by the steady downpour of
Wednesday last; but the weather
did not interfere to any great extent
with the number of spectators at the
opening exercises in house and sem
| ate, nor did If mar the hrilI;a nov nd