St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-07
Montpelier Gossip.

Especial Correspondence of the CALIFORNIAN
MONTPELIER, Dec. 6.-During the past
week the Vermont legislature has de-
6nitely moved in two entirely new di-
rections, and as result the state now
has an attorney general and caucus
law, and is expected to profit largely
from both. It so happens that the two
measures out of which these creations
sprang were introduced by Senator
Slack, and Caledonia county can thus
take special pride in last weeks leg
tive proceedings. A considerable amount
of business has been disposed of since the
reassembling on the Doth, bat this in
cludes host of corporation, private and
grand list bills of no particular moment
to the general public. A committee APP
pointed to look into the matter advised
final adjournment on Friday ofthis week,
if not sooner, and it looks like such
finish.
One of the features" developed on
Thurs day, VIXEN the house ignored favor
able reports On four salary bills and
knocked out every one of them. The
senate's effort to get an increase for the
supreme court judges by making the sal
airy $500 lin lieu of the $4,000 called
for in the original billy received no en-
enlargement in the lower branch, and
the measure was killed by a big vote.
The committee suggested an amendment
to tie bill to increase the governors sal
airy, making it $4,000 instead of $4,000;
but the house rejected both amendment
and bill. A proposed increase for the two
probate judges in Bennington county
was also summarily dealt with.
The Caucus Bill.
The Slack bill in the interest of caucus
reform passed the senate some time ago
without material opposition, but when
it came up in the house for final action
last Thursday it was rather vehemently
attacked by the democratic contingent
and mildly objected to by few republi-
cans. Mr.. Pape OF Barre city, Mr.. O'Sul-
Ivan of St. Adams city and Mr.. Billiard
of Burlington advocated the defeat of
the measure on the ground that it was
WV q
the princip pie of the Australian ballot. and
that it interfered seriously with the voters
personal rights and liberties in requiring
him to make early declaration as to his
party affiliation.
The main speeches in defence of the
bill mere made by Mr.. Fits of Brattle-
boro, Mr.. Grout of Derby, Mr.. Miles of
Barton, Mr.. Lewis of Troy, and Mr..
Archibald of Manchester. They argued
that the measure was simple and direct
in its operation, that it had been pre-
pared with great deliberation and care
in, response tos.a general demand for
something IN the way of .caucus reform.
that it was in the interest of open and
honest politics. that it would prevent
caucus-packing and other corrupt prac-
tees and would result in hardship for
neither party nor candidate nor voter,
that the declaration feature was consis
tent and fair to everybody-even to the
so-called independent voter. The addi-
tional point was made that if this law
proved unsatisfactory in any regard it
could be perfected at another session.
Mr.. Kicker was among those who spoke
in favor of the bill, and he thought St.
Johnsbury's experiences had proved the
desirability of such a measure.
The bill went through by the substan-
tial vote OF 1874 to 60, forty or more re-
publicans assisting the % democrats as
against it. Caledonia county members
voted this way on the question, ''sha1l
the bill pass?" Yes-Mr. Phelps of Barnet
Stocker of Danville, Darling OF Hard wick,
Morse Of Peacham, Manchester of Rye
gate, Smith of Sheffield, Kicker of st.
Johnsbury, Clarke of Sutton, Hoffman
OF Wheelock. No-Mr. Moulton of Burke,
Park of Lyndon, Ordway of Walden.
Absent and not voting-Mr. Hatch of
Groton. Hutchins of Stannard, Harris of
Waterford.
First Atsorney-GeneraI.
His name is Clarke G. Fits of Brattle-
boro, and he represented that town in
the legislature till Friday, when he re-
signed his seat IN the house to begin oper-
ations as attorney general. Mr.. Fits
rival for this honor was John c. Sargent
of Ludlow. an able lawyer and a man
finely equipped for the position, and on
the morning of the day of election his
friends had strong hopes of his success;
but Mr.. Fits membership in the general
assembly gave him decided advantage
personal and familiar contact with him
on the floor of the house had convinced
his associates OF his fitness for the attor-
rey-generalship, and when the legislature
adjourned for it's Thanksgiving recess it
was fairly evident that he would be
elected. In that gentleman's ADVOCACY
OF the bill creating such an Office he set a
high standard for it's incumbent, and in
his speech acknowledging the honor con-
| ferred on him he pledged his best efforts
IN administering the new duties. The
| vote stood: c. c. Fits 168, J. c. Sar-
gent 81, A. A. Hall 2. The latter gentle
man, prominently mentioned as candi-
| date, withdrew on the day before the con-
vening of the joint assembly. The sue
| cessful candidate has the unusual record