Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-11-19
THE LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE.

giving.
Mr.. Cook of Manchester INTRO
dtccd Il bill empowering towns to
appropriate money for the dcstruc-
ton of worms on forest and shade
trees.
The bill authorizing states attor-
neys to take before grand jurics Il
clerk for the purpose of taking min
utcs of testimony came up on
special order. On motion it was
voted that the state sLall pay the
expenses of such clerk and the bill
then passed.
Mr.. Dclehanty Of Castleton, dem
ocrat, introduced Il bill providing for
taking the opinion of the people on
the subject of the repeal of the pro-
hiDitory law at the next March cleo
ton.
The relating to legal holidays was
ordered to third reading. This bill
amends the law so that January /,
February -, May 80, July 4, Aug
ust I6, the first Monday in Scptem-
Der, December IS and any day set
by the governor or president of the
United States as Thanksgiving day
shall be legal holidays. August 10
shall be known as Bennington battle
day and the first Monday in Scptem-
bor us labor day.
The committee on elections re-
ported in the Allen contested election
case that Charles II. Allen was duly
elected representative to the House
from Tunbridge, but that he is in
eligible to a seat in the House for
the reason that he has not been !,
resident of Tunbridge for the time
prescribed by law. Mr.. Allen is Il
democrat. The report was ordered
to lie.
The House killed the bill plovid-
ing for the election of town repre-
sentative by plurality vote.
In the House Wednesday morning
two bills committing the sentences
of Mrs. Isabella A. Marsh and VIM.
G. Buzzcll from death by hanging
to imprisonment for life We're re-
ported with a recommendation that
they pass. The bills were ordered
to third reading by strong vote.
SENATE.
The Senate bill prohibiting the
killing of deer, moose and caribou
for period of four years from Nov.
I, 1898, was passed Tuesday.
The bill placing tax of 50 cents
on bicycles was killed Tuesday.
ALLEN RETAINS HIS SEAT.
Mr.. Allen of Tunbridgc, although,
a democrat and clearly disqualified
by the constitution to sit as repre-
sentative of that town, will remain
in his seat until the end of the SEES
sion, he having been given the most
distinguished honor of the session
Wednesday afternoon. The com,
mittec on elections had reported in
favor OF unseating Mr.. Allen on the
ground that he had not been Il resi-
dent of Tunbridge for year before
the election, but the House voted
the resolution down.
THE CENTRAL VERMONT.
The bill for the reorganization of
the Central Vermont railroad went
through both houses without debate
Wednesday and was sent to the gov
ernor.
CIRCUIT AND PECK EXAMINED.
Ex-Gov. Grout, ex-Secretarv of
State c. w. Brownell, ex.Gov.
Page, and Adjt. Gen. T. S. Peck
appeared at the public hearing Tues
day night before the joint committee
appointed by the Legislature to in
vestigate the expenses OF state Off
GERS. Gov. Grout told about the
trips to the Nashville exhibition, the
Grant memorial and the Mckinley
inaugural. About $1,000 was spent
on those trip s. Gov. Grout gave as
his reason that it had been the Gus
tom of his predecessors.
Gen. Peck was on the stand from
9. 20 till midnight, when the meeting
adjourned until Wednesday evening
His official expenses have beer
$1,000. Senator Young asked Gen.
Peck what duties he performed iol
which he did not charge extra
Gen. Peck was unable to answer,
replying evasively that his duties
were a pleasure to him and he al
ways had done what was for the
best interest of Vermont. Senator
Young sarcastically replied he
thought that was what he was pal,
for as he had bills in for abou
everything else. Mr.. Peck an.
swercd most of the questions eva.
sively or by the reply 81 don't re-
member" The committee asked
him to produce the books on which
he kept state accounts, but he de
clared he was unable.
COL. WEBS FIRST GUN.
Shelburnc house, the residence o.
Col. w. Seward Webb, a membe
of the Legislature from Shelburne
was the scene of a reception Satur
day at which Col. and Mrs. Wchl
entertained some 200 guests, includ
ing Gov. Smith and staff, state of
ticers, members of the Legislature
and others. 1t is characterized Il
tbo fret ann in Col Webb'S conli