Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-10-12


The legislative machinery is now fully
in motion, but is not making any great
headway as yet. The most important mat
ter which has yet been brought forward is
the proposed reorganization Of the state
courts. After the members returned to
Montpelier yesterday the impression soon
became general that it would be impossible
to displace any member of the present su-
preme court to make way for Democrat.
1t fell to the Democrats to provide new
scheme by which they could secure repre-
sentation on the supreme court bench, and
two bills presented by Mr.. Barber Of Barre
town today are the result.
The first of these bills provides for su-
preme court consisting of a chief justice
and two associate judges elected by the
legislature. The second bill proposes to
divide the state into five judicial districts.
The frs. district is composed of Franklin,
Chittenden and Grand Isle counties; sec
ond, Addison and Rutland; third, Ben
ningtOn, Windham and Windsor; fourth,
Washington, Orange and Lamoille; fifth,
Essex, Caledonia and Orleans. The bill
abolishes the Office of assistant judge.
1t further provides that the courts in
each one of these districts shall be presid-
ed over by a district judge to be elected by
the legislature of 1900, for term of two
years; but beginning in 1902 these judges
are to be chosen by the voters in each dis
nf eli ha olo nv
is fixed at $4,000 with allowance for sta
tiOnery, postage, etc.
The number of bills introduced in the
two houses to date is smaller than usual
for the first two days, but the number of
important matters brought up is large.
The house bills of general interest so far
are as follows:
By Mr. Foote of Cornwall, granting ex-
emption from taxation of money loaned on
real estat mortgages at an interest rate not
exceeding Al per cent; exemptions claimed
must be specified in inventory; parties
claiming exemption without granting re-
duction in interest shall forfeit entire in
terest.
By Mr.. Porter of Wilmington, reducing
the legal rate of interest to five per cent.
Q By Mr.. George of St. Albans, permit
ting the recording of railroad deeds, mort
cages and leases in the Office of secretary
of state.
By Mr.. Buxton of Middletown Springs,
making women of legal age eligible to the
Office of notary public.
BY Mr.. Waterman of Brattleboro estab-
fishing the boundary line between Yer
mont and Massachusetts as fixed by the
commissioners appointed two years ago.
By Mr.. Miller of Burlington, governing
paper maturing on Saturday, providing
that 1t may be presented for payment on
the next succeeding business day. This
will allow banks to close Saturday after
moons.
BY Mr.. Barber of Barre town, providing
for the election of town superintendent of
schools at March meeting.
By Mr.. Waterman of Brattleboro, re-
lieving the secretary of the board of health
from being member of the board, and re-
ducing the pay of the members from S. to
$4 per day.
by Mr.. Lane of Newport, permitting
probate court to grant licenses 10 sell real
estate without the consent of the heirs,
after due hearing.
By Mr.. Dana of New Haven, altering
statutes so that selectmen shall appoint
health officers, instead of the state board
of health.
By Mr.. Woodwork of Westfeld, chang
ing the open season for deer hunting and
extending it from Oct. to November 10.
By Mr.. Lane of Newport, relating to
probate of foreign wills; recognizing wills
executed in'prOvince of Quebec.
By Mr.. Gilmore of Swanton, appropriat-
ing $4,000 annually for the state fish hatch
cry.
In the Senate to date, the bills of gener-
al interest introduced have been:
By Senator Royce of franklin, an act to
obtain the opinion of the voters on the
question of repeating the statute prohibit
iting traffic in intoxicating liquor, and en-
acting statutes providing for high license
huu lOCdl OpllOns 4 us Dill pTONlueb
merely for an expression of opinion at the
March meeting in 1902, to be reported to
the legislature the following autumn.
BY Senator Royce, an act to defray the
expenses of the Dewey celebration, and
approprlating $5727 IA for the purpose.
By Senator Porter, limiting the time
within which actions against stockholders
and corporations, which have suspended
business, may be brought. The time limit
is placed at three years,
A joint resolution has passed both
Houses today directing the secretary of
state to secure from the United States
census bureau the figures for the Vermont
census this year, SO that the legislature
can reapportion the senators as provided
by law every 10 years.
A joint committee has been appointed,
consisting of two senators and five repre-
resentatiVes, to whom all matters relating
to the Pan-Amerlcan exposition at Buffalo
next year shall be referred. The commit