Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-10-19
Wales Cash Store

Up to this afternoon AZ bills had beer
introduced in the house and Is in the
senate. Very few of the senate bills vet
in are of general consequence. One, by
Senator Stearns, continues the state normal
schools under present conditions for 20
years. This will become law although
the house may cut down the time limit A
bill introduced by Senator Platt removes
states attorneys from the guardianship Of
supreme court judges, and deprives Judge
of the power to stop states attorney s
salary by Withholding the certificate now
required that he has properly performed
the duties of his office.
Possibly the most important bill thus far
INTRODUCED in tn, house is that of Mr.. Nc
Geary of Burlington providing for system
of licenses for the sale of spirituous liquors
The bill contains 80 sections and consum,
20 minutes time in reading. 1t is pat
termed after the law at present in effect in
Massachusetts,, but is considerably more
stringent in several details. 1t is in tact
so iron-cIad and exacting that it would
seem to require very intelligent and alert
person to sell liquor under it and keep out
of s'a'e's prison. In tact, only person OF
luc UlSuCSl duu peCuulaTy
attainments could possibly secure license
under the law. Very likely the readers
will have an opportunity to examine the
bill, as several thousand copies are to be
printed ard distributed broadcast through
out the state.
A large proportion of the house bills
are only of local Importance, to charter
a school, or fire district or creamery, to
legalize the quadrennial appraisals or
or grand list of some town whose officials
do not know how to do business properly,
to pay somebody " the sum therein nemed"
for helping to apprehend horse thief.
The next grade is what is known as
"peanut legislation" One bill is designed
to regulate fishing in Ficklenaked pond in
the town of Groton, to provide bo lnty on
certain nox Gus animals, including" snaix,"
to change the date of the close season for
bullplug,, to change something by remov-
ing and" and inserting i" a" in lieu there
OF and to patch and tinker inconsequential
laws generally.
Gov. Smith hss been formally waited on
by the democratic members and aske to
recognize the minority party occasionally
on the state boards and commissions.
The request seems to be fair enough, and
no great or little harm could come from
the presence OF one efficient and we'll quail
flied democrat on a state board of three or
FIVE. The twelve or fifteen thousand dem
ocrats in the state are good citizens with
the welfare of the state at heart, and they
may we'll be given small voice in the way
things should go. Why not?
The first house bill, introduced by
Farmer Ballard of Georgia, provides for
a state meteorological laboratory for the
expert analysis of matter producing con-
tagious diseases and distributing informa-
ton to the people of the state regarding
their prevention. The value of such an
institution is admitted on every hand, and
there seems to be no doubt of the result
The indications are that the highway
laws will be extensively tinkered this ses-
sion, and even the verdict of petit jury
is not so problematical as j. the result.
There is some dissatisfaction in some quar-
tiers with the road-commissioners system,
and bill is in to wipe them out and allow
selectmen to p rtcrm their work.
The everlasting question of change in
text books will also worry the aggrt CATION
of talent, and various lobbyists will lay
down on and with the members to the lat
ter's large distress of mind. A text book
agitation is sure to be with every legisla-
ture, but | am happy to say that from this
distance there is very little indication of
q change.
1t is now practically assured that there
is to be large and extensive row over the
office of state superintendent of education.
Strong opposition has developed to SPIT.
Stone within the last few days, and School
master Dunton of Poultney. the member
rom that town, has been selected to down
him. The latter has some considerable |
strength already, but Supt. Stone is pretty
,olidly intrenched and it will require much |
more strength than Mr.. Dunton has as yet |
developed to encompass his downfall. But