Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-11-02
MONTPELIER. Oct. 30.

The legislature is beginning to coquette
with more important matters than hereto
fare, and though none of them have been
gotten along to the crucial point, it is evil
dent that measures Of Importance for con-
sideration will not be lacking during the
coming month.
Mr.. Northrop of Fairfield, who has in
treduced more bills than any other MEM
Der Of the house, today put forward pro-
posal that the state bond for ten million
dollars bearing interest at three per cent,
to be expended in building permanent
highways. Under the provision of the
bill the bonds are to run from five to 25
years and the money is to be expended
during the years 1901 and 1902. This
measure would give the state an interest
account to meet of $500, 900 per year in
addition to the principal as it became due.
The father of the measure estimates that
$10,000,000 would not build less than 20
miles of permanent road in every town in
the state.
If the action of the house this afternoon
is ratified by the senate, the duration of
the annual muster Of the National Guard
will be reduced from ten to five days. The
action If the house in this matter was in
connection with the bill recognizing the
National Guard. Mr.. Taylor of Hardwick
moved to amend the bill by limiting the
duration of the muster TO Eve days and
the amendment was adopted by vote of
"a TO 81, and the bill then ordered to a
third reading. Over 60 members of the
house were absent when the vote was
taken.
Another fish hatchery proposition is be-
fore the legislature. 1t is the plan for a
hatchery at Swanton to propagate pike,
white fish and sturgeon to improve the
fishing in Lake Champlain. The bill car
ries an appropriation of $1,000 for the pur-
pose of building hatchery, but provides
that 1t shall be maintained by the income
from seinipg licenses granted by the fish
commissioners.
The biennial squabble over the plurality
election of representatives bill began in
the house today. The committee on
judiciary reported in favor of the bill,
when amended so that if no election of
representatives is made on or before the
third ballot, the candidate having the
plurality of votes on the next ballot shall
be elected.
The great road commissioner issue OF
the country towns is still pending. Not
less than half dozen bills have been in
troduced, providing for all sorts of things
relative to road commissioners. The chief
change desired seems TO be to have the
road commissioner or commissioners elect
ed In town meeting, though many men,
bers want to renew the old surveyor sys-
tenn of dividing towns into highway dis
tricts and putting q man in charge of each.
The joint committee on state prison and
house of correction visited those lnstitu-
tions today, and took some thirty men,
bers along to see the sights, and, as a re-
suit, both houses were light in point of
The high license bill is still in process
of preparation. What is probably the
final caucus on the bill was held tonight
and the finishing touches will be added to
the bill tomorrow.
Tomorrow is the last day for the intro
ducing of bills in the senate except by
unanimous consent. In the house bills may
be introduced up to and including next
Tuesday.