Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-11-06

bury, to incorporate the Essex Junction
Electric Light, Power x Railroad COM
pany is of especial interest to people in
Chittenden county. This bill provides for
a capitalization of this company at $780,
00c and it Is the intention of the promoters
to build an electric railway from Water
bury to Essex Junction, thence to Essex
Center through Westford and Fairfax to
St. Adams. 1t is reported on good au-
thority that abundant capital is behind
this project and if the franchise is grant
ed the road will be built during the COM
ing season.
TO REDUCE STATE EXPENSES.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Bundy of ST.
Johnsbury reducing State expenses about
$500 0C0 is a SON ewhat radical measure and
will receive careful attention. This bill
Consolidates all existing boards of penal.
lunacy and charitable institutions into one
board of three members to be elected for
two, -four and six year terms and gives
them five dollars per day and reasonable
allowance for expenses. AbolsheS the
normal board and turns its duties over to
the State superintendent Of education.
Provides for support of insane at Water
bury and Brattebor3 by towns instead of
State. Abolishes the cattle commission
and puts its duties on to the State board
of agriculture. Makes State treasurer S
salary 81, 300, secretary of state $lS00, audi
TOR A-,NuO WIFE no clerk ilTt, commissioners
of taX,s S2O0o and no clerk hire, superiu-
tendent of education 5000 and no clerk
hire, adjutant and inspector general 81 900
and no clerk hire Abolishes the printing
commission and makes the secretary of
state do its work. Estimates for apprO-
prations to be carefully scrutnized by
ways and means committee before being
voted on. Provision is mad. for distr-
button of part of surplus ir treasury to
the several towns for permanent work on
highways. and part of it to towns for
school purposes; also for the abolition of
the state school tax whenever a certain
limit is reached.
TO BOND FOR RUTLAND SHOPS.
The bill introduced in the House to-day
by Mr., Vincent OF Burlington, authorizing
the city of Burlington to issue certain
bonds, provides that the city shall have
authority to issue negotiable bonds to an
amount not to exceed $4,000 for the pur-
pose OF securing better railroad facilities
for said city by aiding the Rutland Rail
road company in the erection of any
Buildings, equipment, sidinSs and other
tracks. Bonds issued under this act shall
be issued in denominations of not less
than 500, nor more than 81 900. and shall
he payable In not less thar one nor more
than 90 years from date of issue, the city
council to provide by tax for payment of
interest on said bonds
HEARING ON RAILROAD COMMITS
SlONERS.
The committee from the Senate and
House gave hearings this afternoon on the
bills framed by the Hon. jonathan Ross
which give vastly increased power to the
State board of railroad commissioners.
Judge Ross, who is chairman of the
present board, explained the provisions OF
the bill and showed how powerless the
board at present is. The chief objection
to the bills he said as shown by the at
torneys for the railroad is that the board
should not have the power to render and
enforce judgments,
AS we'll said Judge Ross, might a
county court recommend to parties in liti-
cation how they should settle their diff
, ferencss with no power to do anything
more as for the board of railroad com
missoners as now constituted to make
, recommendations to the railroad"
Among the railroad attorneys present to
oppose the bills were H. II. Powers OF
Morrisville. c. w. Writer'S of st. Adams,
w. Il. C. Stickney of Bethel, Harry Blod-
gett of St. Johnsbury, f. NJ. Button OF
Rutland, John Young and George Young
of Newport
: Judge Powers opposed the bills not be-
cause the commission will harm the rail
roads, but because these bills If enacted
, into law will establish another in
dependent court in Vermont. and would
impose burden upon the road which they
should not be asked to bear. w. b. c,
Suckney also opposed the bills and f.,
M. Harvey. clerk of the board of rail-