Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-12-19
THE LEGISLATURES WORK.
CONDENSED from the summary Of the Mont
pelier Argus

CONDENSED from the summary Of the Mont
pelier Argus
For the first time in a generation or
longer, the state Will for the next two
years run along without state tax.
The Russell cattle commission act
comes in for second place (after the IL
cense bid. The question of bovine tu-
berculosls was the most energetic and
most discussed measure before the legis-
lature The farmers who had experience
with the cattle commissioners and the
compulsory test got out on the firing
line and stayed there untll the battle
smoke cleared away. AS far as they
were concerned they were then ready to
go home. The compulsory test was
knocked out and the price of cattle raised
to $50 and the so per cent. of valuation
clause put in on cattle condemned and
found diseased. Authority was given the
board to cope with the foot and mouth
disease. Gov. Mccullough retained Two
members of the old board and put i'm DR..
Rich of Burlington in this commission.
The new railroad commission bill re-
models the duties of the commissioners,
apparently gives them greater power and
supplies Chairman Bailey Of the House
committee on railroads a job for the next
two years.
An innovation that will be watched with
| interest is that of placing the county
clerks on salaries The clerks will re-
! GtlNG a EIduGu HaldTN ACCORDING 10 Ine
county and work up to $500, and the
change is expected to save the state
$4,000
While the legislature had great fear of
creating a new court out Of the railroad
/ commissioners the bill STYLED a court
of claims" went through both Houses as
II II was on a As per cent. grade. This
court hears and adjusts such claims the
payment of which is provided for by
statute. The friends Of the court believe
IT is the best piece of legislation enacted,
| but time alone can tell.
! An act creating a bridge commission
/ with large powers was passed. The board
/ is of a permanent nature, and consists
/ Of three commissioners who will work
| with n like commission with same powers
/ appointed by New Hampshire. They can
/ buy old bridges and reimburse the towns
which have built them or build new ones
| and the commission is authorized to
draw on the state treasurer to meet con-
! tracts.
The corporation tax bill is another i'm
portant measure. 1t does not disturb the
! existing conditions much, although equal
izing the burden on the transportation
| companies. All foreign corporations are
| required 10 register before doing business
in Vermont. and If they fail to register
| they cannot collect on their contracts.
! The acts OF 1900 requiring that the COM
missions of all regimental and company
officers shall expire in three years and
new elections be held Immediately to fill
. the vacancies was repealed.
| The board of censors Of the state are
, authorized to extend to physicians Of
| other states locating here license to prac-
tice provided they have certificates from
other states having the same standard
of requirements as Vermont. and provided
the same privileges are accorded this
| state.
1t is a crime now to spit in a passen-
ger car or in a railroad station. the PEN
atty Of which shall be not over SO
The cans of milk dealers having their
names or other marks stamped on them
cannot be taken by anyone. and for the
first offense fine is imposed of not more
| than $ or imprisonment in the house of
correction for not over Co days. for each
can. jug. bottle. or jar detained or used
in his business. sold or disposed Of The
marks of the dealers must be registered
in the Office OF the town clerk.
The officers OF trades unions or unincor-
porated associations. copartners and fra
ternal associations are brought under
the states embezzlement statutes As
the law stood before the financial secre-
tary or treasurer could steal the entire
funds of any organization in which his
dues were paid without being liable.
The state board of health is required to
keep the returns of the registration of
births. marriages. divorces and deaths
clerks the blanks. The tables shall be
published in the annual reports
The only woman rights bill to get
through was that by which they can be
elected In addition to the office of town
clerk and treasurer, that Of superintend-
ent of schools.
The Weary Willies who jump freight
trains and ride thereon without the con-
sent of the road are deemed tramps and
shall be punished by imprisonment in the
house of correction for six months.
The bill to abolish the Swanton fish
hatchery went through. and this hatch
cry will be given up provided the gov
ernment takes hold of it. Seine fishing
is permitted in Lake Champlain except
under certain limitations: and a bounty
OF 40 cents was placed on hedghogs and
20 cents on foxes.
OF the 7Oi bills introduced 354 were ap-
proved and $50 either killed or died in the
committees. The number of bills signed
and approved by the governor was 354 of
which 235 We're House and ll9 Senate.
The number of acts passed In 1900 was
317 and in 1898, S5S Among the bills kill
ed were the weekly payment act: the nine
hours BILL the bill providing for a COM
pulsory board of arbitrat ton: the boycott
bills: repeal of the six-inch trout law;
damage TO crops by deer; three or four
cattle bills; all bills calling for repeal of
any part OF the prohibitory law, although
favorably reported by the temperance
committee; the famous state officers pass
bill prohibiting certain officials accepting
railroad passes; the State House removal
bill; the measure requiring candidates to
file sworn statements of expenses; the
Bundy sweeping state saving BILL COM
bning many offices and boards to save
the state s200,00O; the increased revenue
bill; the highway robbery" act. increas-
ing the highway tax from five to 10
n ny 9th