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

and not that of the rumseler. Mr.. Proc
tor, Mr.. Grout and others urged the pas
sage of the bill just as it came from the
committee. Mr.. billiard of Cabot
wanted the second class license elimin-
mated altogether. but before he could get
a chance to explain his position for so
amending the bill the debate was shut
off-a proceeding which he denounced as
'.unrighteous, discourteous and ungen-
| tlemanly." On the resum ption OF the
| subject in the afternoon. to counterfeit
charges of intended gag" law and rail
| reading" legislation, a halt hour was
allowed for discussion. The house then
passed the bill by vote of 1855 to Is,
| refusing to change the bill reported by
| the committee, in any respect. An alb
stract OF the amendments will be found
| elsewhere.
Mere New Laws.
The record OF bills finally passed dur
| ing the closing week of the session is
| long one, so far as numbers go; but
when one considers only the Importance
| of what was done the list shortens. We
can make but brief reference to the more
| important of these measures which are
now to be known as laws:
Imposing penalty for injuring or OBJ
| structing the highways so as to render
| them perilous.
| Amending the laws relative to the
/ duties of commissioners in settling es-
| tates, and the distribution of assets Of
| ESTATES OF dece ased persons.
| Providing for the appointment of one
| member OF the state board OF agriculture
| as a forestry commissioner, witt certain
| powers and duties in the direction OF
forestry preservation and development;
and for the exemption for ten years OF
! waste or uncultivated lands that shall
be planted with forest trees
Extending the time for the return of
the quadrennial appraisal list to the
| fourth Tuesday in August in towns of
more than 5000 population.
| Making it possible for a candidate NOM
mated by more than one party to have
/ his name taken off whichever ballot he
| preferred not to have it appear on-the
idea of this bill being to lessen the chances
of a fusion ticket and encourage straight
party work. This bill was defeated once
but resurrected, amended, discussed and
| decided to be good thing.
Shortening the open season for deer to
| the last week in October.
Amending the law in relation to con-
veya nce OF scholars to authorize the
| payment of pupils board in lieu OF daily
| conveyance, at the discretion of the
| directors.
Quite a change is made in the depart
nent Of game and fisheries by the
enactment of a law providing for the
appointment of one state commissioner
instead OF two, and of one fish and game
warden in each county who gets So 90
day when officially employed.
The senate took its time on the Lucy
Ruggles Teachers Home bill, but finally
passed it, incorporating the home and
appropriating $4,000 far its support,
on condition that a clear title to the
$40, 900 legacy could be secured. With
Senator Proctor's generous gift added TO
the state appropriation, the whole fund
will aggregate 10000, and it is pur-
posed to make this 100000 in the near
future, when the home will no doubt be
opened to teachers.
| Authorizing town school districts,
under certain circumstances, to hold
their annual meetings at some other
time than in March.
| Relating to the construction of build
ings with regard to sanitary conditions
and precautions against fire.
Making Sunday close season for
hunting, with a substantial fine for
violations.
To prevent cruelty to live stock by the
building of shelter sheds at points on the
railroad, and protecting horses from the
spread OF CHAMBERS Dy imposing fine for
exposing unaffected animals to con-
tagion.
The idea of refusing delinquent tax
payers a chance to vote at municipal
elections was once rejected in the senate,
then taken up again aud endorsed by
both houses. It is now case OF no tax
receipt, no vote, so far as that class OF
citizens are concerned.
Providing for additional polling places
in towns OF at least 100 voters, when so
voters ask for them Advocates of this
measure insisted that it would mean a
much larger vote in many towns.
Appropriating $4,000 year for the
Vermont Military Academy at Norwich
University, to increase the efficiency of it's
engineering department.; and providing
for the naming, by each state senator
each year, OF candidate for four-years
scholarship.
Taxing collateral inheritances and
transfers of stocks and bonds.
Relating to the management of cream
eries-requiring managers of those insti-
tutIons to make detailed statements at
regular intervals concerning tests. prices,
etc.
Authorizing the taking of water for
public purposes, and charging the pow
ers of the cattle commission with regard
to importation of cattle into Vermont
| AOs1OlhS III LUG dud
registering of automobiles and the
licensing of their operators, and regu-
lating the speed of these machines. This
bill was amended by striking out the
section giving selectmen the right to
exclude autos from certain roads, and in
one or two other particulars.
The bill reported by the ways and
means comui rtee, increasing the tax on
corporations, went through successfully
with the exception OF the railroad
feature.
The senate objected to making the tax
on railroad companies 2s4 per cent. on
gross receipts, and wanted it left at 21a
per cent. After a some what lively debate
the house agreed to the change rather
| than risk the loss OF the entire bill.
Not In Good Favor.