St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-10-01


Der OF the House from st. Johnsbury
four years ago. Col. Emery of Chelsea
was one of the most prominent members
of the House two years ago, and DR.
Mayo of Mortified has represented his
town in the House at least twice with
glory and honor.
A peculiar feature of the general assem-.
bly, this year is that it contains fewer
lawyers and more clergymen and doc.
tors than for many years. In fact, there
are hardly enough lawyers in either
house to properly fill the committee posi-
lions when lawyers are practically a
necessity. 1t is essentially a business
mans legislature, and whatever its
fruits the plain nonprofessional business
men will be responsible for them. There
are FIVE towns in which no representative
was elected, and in ne-Charlotte-the
member-elect has recently died. If the
member from Windsor survives a critical
illness his seat is likely to be vacant dur
ing most of the session. There are forty
eight straight democrats in the House,
and infinite isms and ologies among the
remainder.
There are in the House quite sprink-
ling OF members with previous legislative
experience. Among them l may mention
Bundy OF st. Johnsbury, Hale of Gull
ford, Porter OF Wilmington, McFeeters
of Enosburg and Houghton of Putney
who represented their towns two years
ago and then demonstrated excellent
capacity and decided ability in various
ways DR.. Conland is back from Brat
tleboro and DR.. Hubbard from Lyndon
which towns they SO ably represented
some years ago. Battell of Middlebury
and Vincent of Burlington will be heard
from vigorously and often. New and
strong men will likely soon come to the
front, and it's of course impossible to
predict who the actual leaders will be.
In this connection have not mentioned
the various candidates for the speaker
ship, which question will be settled by
the caucus tonight. or course whatever
the result, Messrs. Merrifeld, Bailey and
Dartt will have very large and deserved
influence in shaping the legislation of the
session.
Oh course, after the gubernatorial con-
test is settled, the question of prime i'm
portance is the fate OF prohibition and
just what will be devised to take it's
place. Beyord the apparent fact that
there are many men of many minds on
the subject, all in dead earnest, nothing
can be said at this time. 1t will be
question of evolution out of chaos as
the days and weeks 60 by.
1t is evident that there is a "bear"
movement in the air all along the line as
regards legislation. The destructive
spirit is abroad and means business. 1t
will attempt to construct; it will GER
tainly tear down. After prohibition the
cattle commission and possibly the entire
board OF agriculture is marked for de-
struction. So, also, is the railroad com.
mission. Very probably other boards
and commissions will be totally attacked.
The hotel corridors are full of the spirit
OF revolution and what the harvest will
be is beyond human ken.
Judging from the past, it is quite likely
that somebody will make a dash for
political Immortality by pushing a week
ly payment bill and an eight hour bill
and two cent mileage bill. This is a
very economical way of securing news.
paper advertising. An ironclad caucus
law is widely and warmly advocated.
and If the details can be agreed on it will
be part of the important legislation OF
the session. The establishment of a
hospital for the exclusive care and treat
ment OF consumptives is also limited at.
A general appropriation bill has MANY
friends. But all this is in the air. Every
thing is in the air, and the air is full of
everything,
Representations are of no use thus
early. All that can be done is to take
things as they come, if they are not too
hot from the bat, and be ready for the
unexpected at all hours of the day and
night. Clerk of the House Cheney will
unquestionably be reelected, and will
have as assistants Fred Hamilton of
Salisbury and Charles Plumley of North
held' as two years ago. The two House
reporters are not yet in sight. Editor
Walter OF The st. Johnsbury Republican,
will very likely act as secretary of the
senate. The engrossing clerk will be E.
5: Dana of New Haven, who represented
his town two years ago. This appoint
ment is made practically by Secretary of
State Fleetwood. The question of the
speakership is expected to be settled at
the caucus OF the republican members of
the House this Tuesday, evening. Both
Houses meet tomorrow tor organization.
when they will elect their officers. The
net result of the proceedings up to the
hour OF going to press has been received
by wire and is given elsewhere in this
issue. Keep your ear to the ground for
the distant booming of the heavy guns
OF battle, and keep an eye out for the
daily list of killed and wounded.
More next week il spared.
J. E. HARRIS.
Montpelier, Sept. 80, 1902,
LAW TAKERS MEET TODAY.