Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-11-13

conveying more than three tons and less
than six. tho rims shall be at least four
inches, II more than six tons, they shall
be six inches wide and the selectmen or
any one of them or the road commission
ers have the right and power to stop any
driver of a team which they believe 10
carrying n load in violation OF the above
portion of the section for ascertaining the
weight and width of rims. Selectmen can
give a person permission to use wagon
when highways will not be injured.
DESERVING PUBLIC SERVANTS.
(From the Rutland News)
The bill appropriating 5000 for the State
Teachers association should be passed by
the Vermont General Assembly without a
dissenting vote. If there Is any class of
public servants who deserve every con-
sderation at the hands of the people. II Ia
the teachers. The public school system OF
Vermont should be maintained at such
standard as to make every resident OF
the State proud of it, and anything that
will assist the teachers in their work
should be cheerfully forthcoming.
COURT EXPENSES.
(From the Manchester Journal)
During the recent campaign for govern
or 1t was claimed by Clement and McGet-
terick that State expenses have been
largely increased during the past years,
and Mccullough supporters could not
deny the fact but claimed that the In
crease has been legitimate and necessary.
No one claims that the money has been
stolen and In many cases no DOUBT tho
increase has been necessary.
In the matter of the insane poor which
are now cared for at the expense of the
State instead of the several towns, which
fact accounts for much of the additional
expense, we think very few would wish
to go back to the old way. These unfor-
Inmates are better cared for at the State
institutions and the expense is not much
grea ter though 1t comes out of the State
at large instead of the towns where the
pauperS reside.
The next greatest increase comes from
court expenses and this increase has been
charged up to the prohibitory liquor law,
but We had almost the same prohibitory
law forty years ago. 1t is also claimed
that there is much more law business and
that more cases are tried in court than
there were forty years ago, but we very
much doubt it, There has been little in
crease in population and conditions haze
not greatly charged.
We do not think that the terms of court
have greatly heightened from what they
were forty years ago because now at least
half the time is practically wasted while
the expense goes on. Then it was the rule
that cases must be ready for trial when
called and witnesses must be on hand
when wanted and the rule was observed.
Now more than half the time Is wasted
in waiting for cases or witnesses until
clients and jurors are thoroughly dis
rustod. Then five Judges did the work
while now it takes seven. The salary Of
a Judge was then little more than half
what il is now, and he had no steno-
grapher at an expense of so per day, but
took his own notes. The terms Of the
Supreme Court were then held in the
different counties instead of at one place.
ard we then heard little complaint that
Judges were overworked.
The question comes up. would it be ex
podient or best to so back to the old way?
AS far as keeping the work going during
sessions of court We say yes and speak in
the name of clients jurors. witnesses and
the public at large. Whether tho fault of
thees delays is with the lawyers. or judg
es or with both, we will not undertake to
say, but it is quite evident that If the
judges and lawyers make up their minds
TO il they can arrange matters so as to
keep the work going nearly all the time.
we notice from bills introduced in the
present Legislature and from proceedings
of the recent State bar meeting that it is
proposed to increase the salaries of the
judges, and there is also talk Of allowing
them stenographer when not employed
in court. during vacations, and also Of
their wearing robes when on the bench.
We do not understand that these changes
have been asked for by the judges them
selves and we doubt very much II the ma
jority of the people of the State will ap-
prove Of them. A stenographer In court
time Is we'll enough II kept at work but
we have known cases where one has been
paid for "a days when he actually worked
not more than six. because of delays and
time mostly wasted. Let court business
be done as other business is conducted
and more work will be accomplished at
great lesscning of expense to the State.