News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1902-10-08
LETTER FROM MONTPELIER.
Summary Of Last Weeks Events --latest
News from the Seat OF Government
MONTPELIER. Oct. g.


stituents on Wednesday last thai
Everything is in the air here ant
nothing will be done to-day" But
something was done that very day
and that same member was a much
surprised man when the joint assem-
bly,, on the first day of the session
had completed its work and pre-
scented the state with a brand-new
Governor.
Perhaps very few members of Sen.
ate, House, or "third house." ex-
pected Gen. McCullough's majority
to go much above 80, so that the
result, ma ority of 60 over all, was
the more gratifying The ballot
stood; Mccullough 1914, Clement SO,
McGettrick As. The applause which
followed the announcement of Nc
Cullough's election was something
beyond the control of the presiding
officers gavel, and it evidenced at
least two things-the satisfaction of
the straight-outs" over their splen-
did victory, and the general relief at
the termination of ong-drawn out
struggle. The vote for Zed S. Stan
ton was still larger, giving him a
majority of 108 over all.
1t was neat piece of /" bluff" that
Mr.. Clement and his attorney at
tempted before the committee to can
vass the votes, that afternoon; but
it failed to work. Chairman Annis
insisted that the committee didn't
need counsel in the matter, and the
efforts to embarrass the committee
and thus delay the choice of a Gov
ernor were firmly resisted. The
smallness of the Clement vote in
joint assembly was surprise even
to some of that candidates follow
ers. His forces appear to have gone
to pieces early in the proceedings,
and no leader could be found to rally
them.
The election of J. H. Merri6eldof
Newfane as speaker was no mistake
His name was the only one seriously
considered on the night before " !;
he was the unanimous choice of the
caucus, and had a majority of so Tor
more, Z. H. Ellis, the candidate of
the Clement party, getting 10 votes.
The business of the House will be
safe under Honest Johns" direc-
ton, for his previous experience in
Legislative matters qualities him for
the position. Thomas c. Cheney of
Morrisville, who has done efficient
work as Clerk at former sessions,
wasre elected, and his assistants are,
as last term, Fred Hamilton of Sails
bury and Chas. Plumlev of North
field. Rev. H. H. White of Addison
was elected Chaplain by viva voce
vote. The official reporters in the
House are L., B. Johnson of Ran
dolph and ]. W. Sault of St. Johns
bury.
The Senate organized by choosing
Hon. c. w. Brownell of Burlington
as President pro tempore; w. K.
Farms worth of Rutland as Secretary,
who has made H. l.. Skeels of Lud
low his assistant; Rev. M. w. Far
man of Westfeld, Chaplain. The
official reporter in the Senate is Stan
ley L. Wilson of Montpelier. I'M
THREE BILLS ALREADY IN.
Even before the committees are an
nounced, three bills are already in
troduced-one providing for caucus
reform, and two local option high
license measures. Senator Brownells
caucus bill provides for nomination
by plurality vote, and for enrolment
and transfer of names from one party
to another; no person to vote in
caucus unless he has been enrolled at
preceding state election as a member
of the party holding the caucus; pro-
vision is made for an oath on the
part of the voter; the nomination is
to be made by ballot, except in towns
vi 1888 ludll OOOO luudDlIdulS, unless
in the latter case five legal voters OBJ
ject to the reclamation method and
call for a ballot The bill seeks to
bring about several needed improve
ments in Vermont's present caucus
plan.
The license bill introduced by Rep
resentative Peck of Brandon, is the
genuine Clement article, upon the
preparation of which much time and
labor has been spent. 1t contains
eighty sections; provides for special
town meetings in December next to
vote on the granting of licenses, with
similar action to be taken at the reg
ular March meetings subsequent to
December; for one license for every
1000 of population; for six classes
of licenses; with fees ranging from
$1,000 to $40; towns of less than
1000 population may grant one Ii
cense; no saloon to be located on
same street or within 400 feet of a