Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1900-11-16
IMPORTANT BILLS.
LEGISLATURE SUCCEEDS IN PASSING
A FEW THIS WEEK.

Hodges of Ripton Wants to Change
Capitai-Other Measures.
The legislature, which had adjourned
oyer election from Friday, the ID, to
Wednesday, the 9TH, met on the after
noon of the latter date.
In the senate the only measures of
general interest that were discussed were
the state laboratory bill and an sold
home week" resolution. a considerable
advance was made on the laboratory bill,
but the final action was delayed by its
being ordered to lie.
Senator Walker introduced the sold
home week" resolution. 1t provides
that the week shall begin with the third
Sunday in August each year, and was
adopted.
A number of house bills were read and
referred to committees.
In the house a number of bills were
introduced. in spite of the resolution of
the previous week to shut them off.
They were practically all private bills.
The house adjourned early out of re-
spect to the memory of Representative
G. w. Curtiss of Ira, deceased. Resolu-
lions of respect were passed and com
mittee of four appointed to attend the
funeral. Two of this committee were
Addison county men-Thomas of Orwell
and Brown of Whiting.
Thursday afternoon Representative
Hodges of Ripton sprang an unpleasant
surprise in the house-unplPasan for
Montpelier. It was nothing less than
measure providing for the removal of the
capitol from Montpelier to some more
conveniently located city 1t asks for
committee to investigate the advantages
of other places and report in 1902. 1t
went to a special committee for consider
alton.
A Joint resolution was introduced In
the house by Mr.. Emery of Chelsea in
structing our senators at Washington to
Try to secure some recognition of the SER
vlces-of Capt. Clark of the Oregon.
The house passed the bin No 1858 in
cooperating the Addison and Pauton Tel
cphone company. Also 5 3G empower
ing fire district Mol, Castleton, to main
tain street lights.
Although "A number of bills had been
allowed TO be presented the dav before
Lawrence of Bristol sought permission
to present ole on this day, objection was
made
II. lbs was passed. It provides that
town trca,urcrS cannot hold other offices
and is aimed tn prevent their drawing or
ders on themselves in other capacities
II G. state laboratory, WAS returned
from The Sena'v, with its concurrence, AS
there amended. The House agreed to
the first five and the seventh I'm. ndn entS.
but disagreed to the sixth, providing
that The salaries Of the Laboratory
officials shall be fixed by the state board
of health. Bill was ordered to lie and
be printed, with senate amendments.
The house concurred In the senate
Joint resoluton'on "old home week"
\ number of local option and prohibit
tion petitions were Introduced, among
them one by Martin of Ferri-burgh.
Some bills were passed and others
ordered to third reading.
In the senate the labratory bin was
again called up, discussed further and
again ordered 10 lie.
The elimination of Grand I-le county
~1lj. by Senator Ballard. dividing Grand
Isle county. The towns of Alhurgh. Isle
LA Motto and North Hero to be-
annexed TO Franklin county; the towns
Of Grand Isle and South Hero annexed to
ChiJteuden county.
:. ll3. by senator DeBoer. relates to
proof of contrihutory negligence in
actions for injury to The person. In
action to recover damages if defend
ent claims negligence of plaintiff
contributed to such injury, the bur
den of proof shall be upon the defendant.
} Friday morning in the senate Senator
Marvin Introduced 5. 12l, providing a
} penalty Of $50 for any person to kill,
shoot or destroy the bird known as the
J American eagle.
5. l22, by Senator Walker. School
directors may transport scholars upon
application of ten taxpayers and use
school money not to exceed - per cent
thereof
very important new bill was :. 1913
by Senator Cudworth, for the establish
ment of forestry commission. The
commission TO consist of the governor
eX-o1llclo, ana ten other persons to Dc
appointed by him. One of the members
of the commission shall be the secretary
and shall receive a compensation of 5;
per day and expenses when employed by
commission. The other members &c
receive only expenses. The duty of the
commission is to investigate the extent
and character of the original and sec
ondary forests of the state, to ascertain
the annual removal of timber therefrOm
the disposition of same made by home
consumption and manufacture as well a.
by expectation in the log, the different
methods of numbering pursued and the
effects upon timber supply, water power
scenery and climate of the state, the ap
. proXimate amount of revenue derived
annually from the forests, the damag,
by forest fires. Whenever any per
son shall supply necessary funds there
for the commission NAV buy a tract q