Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-10-16
DULL WEEK AT MONTPELIER.
The Legislative Wheels Turn Slowly
Thus Far.

MONTPELIER, Friday, Oct. 10.
The Vermont legislature rested on its
oars most of last week, after the fashion OF
long line of illustrious predecessors. The
House committees were named Tuesday.
but the important joint committees did
not appear until the latter part OF the
week. Gen. CIRCUITS death and funeral at
forded a reasonable excuse to adjourn,
which was quickly taken. A recess was
taken Thursday at the funeral hour, and
Friday morning both houses knocked off
until Monday. 1t always takes time to
get bills prepared and into the hopper.
Then comes period of hard committee
work, OF which the public learns little.
The really spectacular portion takes but a
few days.
Attention thus far has been confined
mostly to that necessary preliminary, the
introduction of bills.
"Uncle" Jonathan Ross is taking quite
hand in legislation, as member of the
third house. Three bills of his drafting
have been introduced, two dealing with
the railroad commission, on which the
judge has served for two years past and
one relating to the liquor traffic. The
railroad commission is given greatly en-
larged powers in the regulation of rail-
roads, and authority to bring them to
time il they decline to accept the boards
findings.
The judges liquor bill represents the
concessions that the prohibitionists are
willing to make, in view of present pub
lie sentiment, to save their principle and
head off local option. Instead OF the pres
ent system OF county commissioners and
town agents, there is one state commits
sioner, elected by the people, who has the
entire control Of agencies in the state. lie
gets 5000 year and expenses, and has a
$500 clerk. He buys all the liquors sold
at the agencies, has them tested, sealed up
and delivered to the agents. He furnishes
a $4,000 bond and is under heavy penalty
not to accept considerations from liquor
dealers. He may establish not TO exceed
ten agencies in any county, where liquors
are on sale for ''medicinal, mechanical and
chemical purposes only. The commits
sion appoints the agents, who also have to
furnish bonds against misconduct in their
trust. II they sell contrary to instructions,
they may be prosecuted like any seller.
Stiff fines are prescribed for those who
''work" the agents with "fairy tales" in
order TO procure wet goods. Agents are
paid salaries, and there is no incentive for
them 10 push out goods. The state treas
urer and auditor keep careful tab on imam
ces. Prices are TO be gagged so that the
system shall be self-sustaining, without
profit or loss to the state.
The more Objectionable features OF the
present prohibitory law are abolished,
such as the disclosure and injunction
provisions; the requirement that states
attorneys must enforce the law to the
judges satisfaction before they can draw
their salary; making U. S. liquor certih-
Gates prima facie evidence against holders;
limiting jurisdiction of justices OF the
peace, etc.
This bill receives favorable comment in
prohibitionist circles. The idea is preva-
lent that il modified prohibitory measure
can be substituted for the present law the
local option act which, it is expected, will
be passed for submission.
A bill is in giving women the right TO
vote and hold office in towns and villages.
House bill proposes that the represen-
tatives be elected by plurality, after two
ballots have failed TO elect by majority.
Representative McFeeters has a bill in
to abolish capital punishment. 1t takes
effect from its passage, and will save the
necks OF Doherty and Shaw-ifit passes.
Senator Greene has a measure in to
grant practising certificates to physicians
of other states who are regularly entered
there, providing such states treat our
doctors likewise.
The Thetford man asks that the income
OF the old Orange County Grammar school
fund, which now goes to the county, be
paid over to Thetford academy.
Mr.. Dewey OF Quechee wants Lincoln's
birthday made legal holiday.
A Senate bill makes it misdemeanor to
dock horses tail.
Senator Brownell wants splitting in rail-
road cars forbidden by law.
One House bill asks for an increase in
state school tax from Sc. to 10c.
Another House bill wrestles with tuber-
differing from Russell's Senate
bill in the number of commissioners and
in requiring an analysis of milk. Farm
FRS are to get full pay for cattle killed.
Representative Lawrence, the Rutland
labor man, proposes weekly payment OF
wages by corporations, same to be paid in
cash only.
The Joint committees are headed as fol-
ows: -For the Senate, Howard OF Wind |
sor on library; Royce of Rutland on house
Of correction; Sprague OF Addison on in
iustrial school; Annis OF Orleans on state
md court expenses; Brownell of Chitten- |
len on insane; Lawrence II Rutland on
and industrial matters;
Noyes of Rutland on game and fisheries; |
stiles of Caledonia on public health;
Emery Of Orange on temperance; Downer |
II Windsor on revision OF bills; Wilcox OF
Orange on the house of correction and |
committees; Emery OF
Orange on the insurance committee; |
Greene OF Windsor on the public health |
DoWner OF w lndsor on lnsur- Il
snce and temperance committee.
The House joint committees have the /
chairmen :-O'Sullivan OF st. /
Adams on library; Hobart OF Westford on
house OF correction; Wilder OF Weston on |
Industrial school, Morrill, of STAFFORD on
game and fisheries; Haynes Of No. Hero /
On state and court expenses; Battel OF
on temperance; Lawrence OF
Rutland on immigration and industrial
matters; Davis OF Proctor on public
health; Gale OF Guilford on revision of
bills. Cushing Of Bethel and Reyes Of Rut-
and are on the fish and game committee;
Vaughn OF Pomfret and Clafiin of Brain
rec on state and court expenses; East
nan OF Barnard on immigration matters;
Fish OF Royalton on public health; Matti-
,on of Chelsea on revision of bills.
The chief interest centered in the tenn
Derance committee, in view OF prospective
legislation. The committee was enlarged
md numbers 25 in all. As made up, il
all the varying opinions OF the
assembly. and il il can agree itself as to
what it wants, the rest ought to be easy.
strong pressure was put upon Senator
curtis 5. Emery Of Orange to head it, and
hough the task was one he would have
avoided, be listened to the call of duty.