St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-12-05
DOINGS OF THE LEGISLATURE.
General Thanksgiving that it has ADJ
iOuPned

| iOuPBed.
The legislature has adjourned for good
for good of he state. Its errors were
those OF omission rather than commits.
sion OF the four constitutional amend
ments three were brushed aside and the
one of least importance, relating to the
power to fill vacancy in the office OF SEN
atOr or representative, was acted upon
faYorably. Not a single constructive
measure Of importance Was enacted, al
though several came before the legisla-
ture for consideration. The talk of re-
trenchment in state expenses proved to
be largely a blast through the mega
phone. The appropriations provide for
an expenditure OF ST $40 000 but pro-
vision was made tor only 81 $500 so
that big deficiency bill will be saddled
on the next legislature. The good which
will b. said of the late lamtnted legisla
ture will be said negatively. Aside from
being an expensive luxury, it did little
harm. In the main it left the old laws
as they were, and few of its enactments
will arise as compromising and embar-
assing apparitions in the future Brat
tleboro Phoenix.
All LudI 10 GSl lhlu at lIlS lluIC Is ludl
the legislature has adjourned sine die,
leaving behind mass of debris to be
+ cleared up and sorted out. The men,
bers themselves will probably be await
ing the publication of their recent acts
with as great curiosity as the general
public to discover what has actually
been done.
For the vices of the system, or lack of
system which makes the meeting of the
legislature very much an occasion of
dread and apprehension, and its doings
chaos, the people themselves are prima-
rily at fault. They do not choose to con-
sttute state government on irrational,
business-like basis. They sow to the
wind and newt ably reap the whrlwind.
There are no visible signs that they wish
to do otherwise. Ephraim is joined to
his idols.-l Montpelier Journal.
Not a single reform out Of the many so
imperativeIy demanded
Not one single measure of real and vital
Importance.
A squandering of the peoples money
bevOnd any limit heretofore known.
That is the record of the legislature
which gave the people of Vermont rea-
son for thankIulness in adjourning sine
die this morning.
Seldom has legislature met under con-
dltions which required so much oft.
Never has one sat, we believe, which
justified its existence to such a slight
extent Burlington News.
1t is better, perhaps that legislature
should do nothing than that it should
enact radical legislation of doubtful
value. In this respect the general assem-
bly, of Vermont truthfully may be said
to have abundantly safeguarded our in
tereSts. But not all legislative virtue hes
in negation. Legislatures are sometimes
called upon to do something, as we'll as
to prevent something from being done.
1t does appear to the reflective man, or
to some It Elective men, that the legisla-
ture OF 1900 neglected some of its oppor
tunities to accomplish actual good, that
it was vacillating and reconsidered a
great many bills, and thus it stubbornlv
refused to give some measures the tair
hearing that they were entitled to re.
ceive.- St. Adams Messenger.