St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-14

The attempt to get a 500 increase of
salary for the state prison chaplain failed
two or three more bills to raise probate
judges salaries were refused favorable
consideration; and an effort to secure
$500 salary for State superintendent
Ranger so long as he held that office.
without Committing the state to any
thing over $4,000 as regular compen-
sation, was hard hit by the house.
The senate didn't feel like giving the
railroad commission any control over
railroad tolls or supervision OF the issue
of stock by street railways. and so killed
two bills covering these matters.
The upper branch also refused the
weekly payment bill third reading after
changing it up' for some time and Civ
ing chance for public hearing.
The bill giving towns considerable
freedom IN the matter of rounding in
debtedness, and that compelling fire
escapes on hotels and boarding houses
did not get through.
The legislature declined to take the
right to commute sentences away from
itself and put it into the hands of three
supreme court judges to be named by the
governor in each individual case; and
after once killing it refused to resuscitate
a bill providing for the election of cert ain
three voters.
A bill to prevent fraud in the sale of
grass and clover seeds was killed because
it didn't sufficiently meet the situation.
The proposition to elect the members
of the railroad commission every two
years by the general assembly, and to
cut down their per diem, went through
the house with rush, but struck snag
in the senate and was fatally injured.
that branch refusing it a third reading.
The bill to, reimburse certain towns for
money paid for high school education
was also killed in the senate after passing
the house. The latter body refused to
favorably consider bills providing for the
election OF selectmen and listers for a
term of years, and giving the surviving
husband one third of his deceased wifes
estate.
The New License Law.
The main features of the new law are
as follows:
The bill amends the present law in
these particulars Requires that license
commissioners shall have been legal
voters and freeholders of the town, III
stead Of residents" and strikes out the
provision requiring the choice of one
from each OF the TWO leading parties.
Commissioners term of office is made
one year instead of election tor two, tour
and six years. Refuses a license to any
person who has been convicted OF v1olat-
ing the provisions of this act relating to
illegal dealing in Intoxicating liquor and
places under a ban buildings w here any
such violations have occurred within one
year, with the knowledge of the owners
thereof. Strikes out the section author
izing commissioners to determine number
of licenses in towns of less than l. 500,
leaving such towns on same basis as
others. Licenses to continue in force till
the first day OF May next toilo wing their
issue, unless sooner revoked or forfeited
this provision not to apply to licenses
now in force.
Provisions of this act not to apply to
sale OF fermented cider by the barrel or
eask- of not less than 80 gallons, pro-
vided same is removed from premises OF
vendor at the time in the original
package.
Minimum fee for first class license in
towns of less than $500 population is
made $500 instead of $500. Fee for
second class license fixed at from $3.50 to
81, 500.
Holders of second or seventh class
licenses must close at Z p. m. and can
open at 6 a. M; of other licenses, close at
10 p. m, and may open at 6 a. m.
Circus and fair days are added to the
days when saloons shall not open. In
sane persons, paupers and persons con-
corning whom notice has been given to
the licensee are added to the list of those
to whom liquor shall not be sold.
Neither booths, stalls, apartments nor
tables, chairs, ETC., are to be permitted in
barrooms.
Licensees, except innkeepers and phar-
macists are prohibited from carrying on
any other business on the premises.
Surety on bond of licensee must be a
citizen of this state and resident in the
town where applicant lives.
In case of riot or great public excite
ment the mayor or selectmen may order
saloons closed for not more than three
consecutive days.
License may be revoked without notice
or hearing. in which case forfeiture OF the
bond shall not result. No appeal from
| decision of commissioners; but revoca-
| ton shall not be effective till town shall
refund the license fee pro rata. Liquors
| lett by bankrupt or deceased hcensee may
| be sold out of the state or to another
licensee; same privilege is granted to
licensee after revocation on condition OF
immediate delivery.
A hearing on complaint shall be held
by majority of the board. In case of
| judgment against licensee the COM
missioners' tees and all costs are to be
taxed against him.
The bill amplifes considerably on the
subject of prosecutions for unlicensed sell
ling, prescribes the necessary mode of
procedure, and goes into detail as to fees.
A licensee found guilty of selling adult
Grated liquor, shall be fined $500 in ad-
dition to the forfeiture of his license.
Penalty for selling without license is
changed to involve fine offrom $500 to
81 900, in addition to the imprisonment
clause. The fine for soliciting purchase
of liquor in unlicensed places is fixed at
from 500 to $500, and the same fine is
named tor bringing Intoxicating liquors
into no-license town with intent to
have them sold, and for tampering with
samples of liquor taken for analysis.
Fine for violation of fifth class license is
set at from $500 to 81 900. County and
justice courts are required to notify the
license commissioners of convictions for