The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1900-12-07

recess was taken to a. M, when tlna
adjournment came. The scene in the
chambers, vestibules and corridors as the
morning sun came streaming in was one
of all prevailing dirt and disorder, and
it must have required the energetic eff
forts of small army of sweeperS anC
| cleaners for at least twenty-four hours to
have placed the building in it's usual neat
and spOtless condition.
Uncle Warren of Weathersfield, in his
overwhelming happiness because of the
passage of his bill dividing his town into
two highway districts, broached three
barrels of apples in the lower vest bule
late in the afternoon, and after everybody
had eaten ana carried away all they could
the remainder wereI used as missiles to
swat" every body during the night all
over the building. Much more might lie
told of the queer things done during the
small hours, but it is all over now and we
will be charitable.
After all the smoke has cleared away,
what is the net result? In looking over
the field of carnage some few bills appear
to have become laws. The following is
far from being complete list of public
acts, but it contains majority of those
of public interest. The bill for the sup
port of government reported to the
House by Mr.. Field of Springfield was
passed after the appropriation was cut
down from 81, 500, 900 to 81 ,250, 600 and the
state tax reduced from 16 to 10 per cent.
Those state officials and others whose
business it is to know express themselves
as certain that this sum will be entirely
inadequate to meet the state eXpen-
SeS for the coming two years. Six hum
dred and twenty-five thousand dollars a
year, not enough! Shades of our grand
fathers!
A bill appropriating $500 for clerk in
the auditors office became law.
A bill regulating mining and quarry
rights.
A bill increasing the pay of Juror in JUS
tice court to $1.O0 per day.
Dividing the town of Weathersfield in
to two highway districts, the only town
in Vermont so divided.
Providing that graduates of academies
and high schools may secure second
grade teachers certificates.
Authorizing superintendent of educa-
tlon to issue circulars of information and
appropriating a sum therefor.
Prohibiting the sale, keeping for sale,
expose or gift of cigarettes after Jan. l
next. This law is absolutely prohibitory.
Praviding that the state insurance COM
missioners shall hereafter be paid $1,000
per year each for their services and that
all fees go into the state treasury.
Appropriating 81 800 for hatchery for
lake fish at Swanton.
Making appropriation for support of in
sane poor. ...
Providing for the support of the Nor
NAL schools.
To prevent the adulteration of milk.
Appropriating $500 for expenses of COM
mittee appointed to promote a general
observance of "Old Home Week"
Making possession of government liquor
license competent evidence, instead of
"prima facia' evidence, in prosecutions.
Increasing the salaries of the judges of
probate in the districts of Orleans, Chit
tenden, Washington and Marlboro.
Regulating fishing through the ice.
To supp ess truancY and compel school
Regulating commitments to the state
asylum.
Providing for $500 clerk in the office
of the adjutant general.
Levying a state school tax OF eight
cents. This is denounced by the large |
towns as robbery of them for the support |
Of the smaller towns.
In relation to the bill which was passed |
and approved. making appropriation for |
The support of the Normal schools, it |
should be said that an amendment was |
carried in the Senate to the effect that if |
he owners of these schools do not give
ull lease of them, others shall be leased
ind the governor and Normal school COM
nissioners are empowered to locate the
chool at some other point. This is aimed
It the Castleton Normal school, which is
he object of much scandal and has re-
ently been investigated. 1t is owned by
he Leavenworl hs. the junior of whom is
me of the Rutland county senator's. He
protested and another senator said the
esult OF the law would be the closing of
he .Castleton school. If it is, the public
an stand it.
AS has been said above, many other
ills of public nature have been APP
roved, and countless private and incor-
oration bills. A few of Importance may
ave been omitted. as it is almost impos
ible to pick out the living from the dead
Without access to the official records.
Nearly all the important legislation
roposed failed. OF the constitutional
mendments only that survived which
rovides for a special election to fill va
ancy in the Office of state senator or |
own representative Look at the list of
The local option bill. The valued policy
ill. The forestry commission bill. The
i'll to increase state revenues by the in
reased taxation of corporations. The
i'll abolshing the railroad commission,
nd the bill extending it's powers. The |
i'll abolishing the Office of state tax COM