The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-11-21

Passed. --S. 1888, to amend charter of the
village OF Lyndonville. II 1903, TO incorpo-
rate the Black River Trust Co.
Passed..H: 1892, to legalize- grand list of
bethel; II. 4OO, to amend and extend char
ter OF the Union Trust Company of Brad
ford. s. 40, to enable city OF ST, Adams to
issue warrants for the purchase Of water
meters
Brattleboro hospital. H. 436 TO incorno-
rate Brattleboro hospital, was read the third
time and on motion Of Senator Dunnett or
dered to lie.
HoUsE-moRNINo.
Killed.-H. 0, reorgsnizng the Supreme
Oourt. II. IL, reorganizing and redistrict-
ing the county courts of the State. II. IS,
an act to equalize taxation double taxation
committee's billy. Mr.. Foote of Cornwall,
moved hat the bill be ordered to lie and
made special order. Lost. II. 80, estab-
fishing a uniform municipal court in towns
and cities OF 1000 or more inhabitants. II.
| 1913, an act to equslize taxation, (bill would
tax all property and does away with Off
| setst H. go, regulating the sale OF convict
manufactured goods. H g. changing legal
rate OF interest to per cent.
Third reading. II. 267. repeating Sec.
| 415, V. g., declared unconstitutional. Pro-
hibits deduction from list for debts owing
| by person residing without State doing
business in State. s. 7, an act amending
| certain sections V. s., relating to the nav.
ment of interest on U g. deposit money re-
| naming in the State treasury. s. 80, re-
lating to the lumber Of days of teaching re-
| quired in the public schools.
Normal Schools. - Joint resolution, by
Mr.. Smith OF Halifax, authorizing Normal
school investigating committee to visit the
| Normal schools, examine and report. Op-
posed by Mr.. Burt OF Stowe, MIR. Nay Of
Jericho and Mr. Hswley of Fairfax. Pas
| sage refused
Valued policy.-H. %, relating to total
losses under fire insurance policies.
Mr.. Gale OF Gulford, favored the bill. A
| similar bill has worked most satisfactorily
in New Hampshire. The companies at
first withdrew, but later returned and did
more business than ever. The claim OF
the companies that rates would have to be
raised is unfounded. A valued policy
would prevent over-nsurance by careless
or designing agents and save money to the
insured in premiums. Twenty-one OF the
45 States have valued policy laws Com
panies are required TO fix the value Of
property before nsuring, or suffer the con-
sequences.
Mr.. Franklin of Townsend, thought the
bill was founded on justice and right.
Thousandssof dollars are paid by the in.
sured in Vermont for which, in case of loss
they do not receive value back.
Mr.. George Of st. Albans, thought VAL
ued policy would mean gambling policy.
Ii man could get over insurance on his
property he would have an incentive to be
|
the best judge Of the value OF his property
and under the present system he does not
over insure.
Mr.. Porter OF Wilmington said the very
purpose OF the bill was TO prevent over-in-
surance. 1t would be different If the COM
panies that bore the risks fixed the
value. A valued insurance certainly re-
duces losses. There is now premium, a
reward to agents who write large policies,
as their commission is larger.
Mr.. Lewis Of Norwich, favored the bill.
Mr. Graves OF Colchester considered tn /:
the proper time to fix the value Of property
is when it is standing, not when it is in
ruins. Valued policies would bring this
about. A value fixed in this way would be
an aid in determining what amount of
mortgage could safely be placed. He cited
a case where total loss on $500 house
was settled for $500.
Mr.. Lawrence of Bristol considered that a
valued insurance law would place too much
responsibility on agents. Property depre-
ciates in time and this bill does not provide
for it duly.
Mr.. White of Rutland said that while the
bill had merit, such radical change meant
much temporary hardship for the State, as
was the case in New Hampshire, which is
the only eastern State where a valued law
obtains The owner of property was equal
ly at fault with the companies in case of
over-insursnce. Usually the owner is the
more to blame.
Mr., Emery OF Chelsea said the only rea-
son for any law was need of 1t and the
need does not exist here. The mutual
companies would suffer equally with the
stock companies. If the State were to go
into the insurance business, would it be de-
sirable to pass this law? He compared val
ued system of insurance with the guaranty
system. No one would think of demand
ing the face OF a $500 bond in case of the
default OF guaranteed employee to the ex-
tent of say $4,000
AZ u II
insurance as contract, and argued in IA
vor OF the measure. The bill was ordered
to tn rd reading, yeas 1863, nays 40.
Liquor trafic,-Petitions praying for
high license local option law were present
ed by White of Rutland, Therall of West
Rutland, Delehanty of Csstleton, Mott OF
Hubbardton; for maintenance of prohibit
ory law by Rounds of Sherburne, O'Neil of
Hartford.
Passed.-H. 439, incorporating Forest
Stream Water Co.
Adjourned.
HoUsE-AFTERNooN.
The liquor bills.-H. 279, high license,
was reported adversely by majority of the
committee. On motion of Mr.. Fleetwood
of Morristown, the bill was made the
special order for Thursday at 1880 Am.
II. $751; amending statutes governing sale
OF liquors by cities and towns was favor
ably reported by majority Of the COM
mittee. On motion OF Mr. Taylor Of Hard
wick, the bill was made the special order
for tomorrow at 1890 A, NJ.
Bills Introduced.-H. 400, relating to tax
| warrants.
III. 461, relating to tax on mining and
| quarry rights.
II. 462, fish and game laws, part of Sec.
| 189, VS..
| III. 1853, a person who deposits poison on
| lands or buildings belonging to himself or
Others shall be fined $40 to $50, and to be
liable for damage.