The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-10-06
A WORD TO THE WISE.

Much is expected of the Legislature
which begins its labors on Wednes-
day. The roll Of the members shows
that the House OF representatives is
probably the strongest of any in recent
years. Many names we'll known
throughout the State as belonging to
men of ability appear on the list,
Men who have held offices nearly as
high as the State can give are now to
be seated with the representatives of
the people in the legislative hall.
These men should be Of great value
in attending to the business of the
session.
The general average of the House
will be higher in point of brains and
ability than was the House of 1902.
In the election of 1902 men we're tor
gotten for the issue. It mattered not
who were elected if they were only on
the right side of the license issue.
The incoming Senate should also be
strong. Some of the members have
had much experience in legislative
affairs and are of recognized ability,
and they will naturally take the lead
ership On the whole the coming
session promises to be we'll directed
and fruitful.
There is much work for the Legis-
lature. No great struggle over the
liquor question is due to arise, but
the question of proper amendment
of the present law must be settled
This may be no small labor, mas
much as the suggestions for amend
ment will probably be many. so that
in effect the whole proposition will OF
necessity be threshed over again. All
admit that the law needs amendment
1t is up to the Legislature to make
the changes which the cause of tenn
perance and the results of two years
experience require.
A suitable and effective caucus law
should be passed. This should be
done for the best interests OF the
State. Fortunately the caucuses of
1904 were quiet and orderly and there
was little complaint of attempts by
members of one party to crowd into
the caucuses of the other party. There
was absolutely no complaint as to at
tempted vote buying by candidates
for nomination. But in time of peace
it is we'll to prepare for war. The
experiences of two years ago should
teach the lesson that the party eau
cuses should be under the control OF
State laws and SO regulated as to
avoid difficulty. This means very
careful consideration by the legis-
lators.
The good roads question must have
attention. The Journal has expressed
itself plainly as to its ideas Oh this
subject Briefly they are that the
present plan of road improvement
should be continued but with grad
ual extension and broadening of its
reach. The advice of experienced
men who have for years been study
ing and dealing with road conditions
in this State is to be taken before
that nf automobilists or civil en-
gineers looking for fat jobs.
Economy, but not parsimony,
should mark the action of this Legis-
lature Some matters Ill bear cutting
N the expense side; others are dealt
~. cheapest when the best methods
WIZ chinery are used, with only a
ana is@ 4 to cost The proposition
aue ret'> attorney general of the
W ha'e IA" point. 1t would be
State is q Gaze a. tho S.ate to mo =
tsotassl economy fm -oasonahIv ,orno
an attorney general /. to the State
salary and thereby ihsur~ Ia LAWYER
tbe services of really So its -,
for counsel in the conduct Of ont
nortant business. without gofng
aide Of official channels. The bills
maid counsel throughout the state py
State officials, on State business, ana
the fees paid counsel assigned to assist
the various States attorneys IN I'M
nortant criminal cases would much
more than cover the salary OF an at
torney general. The auVaneaee W
the State by such change would De
great That would be economy, al
though at first sight it might appear
like extravaganza.
This Legislature, il much admon'
ton is needed, ought to be known a
one of work Let it not discount IL
promise of wisdom by legislation o
the hedgehog quality, except IL Do
repeal the porcupine bounty law owe
which it's predecessors quaireleo
Broad considerations ought to lnhu
ence its deliberations rather tina
petty local or factioual desires, WI,
his General Assembly justify Tn
founders of the State in their Col
struction of Legislature along u
lines upon which that body Is no
composed?