Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-11-24


made his first faux pas last week. He We
toed bill. Il wasn't so much the fac
alone, as the'nawsty way he did ii, ITO us
an old phrase.
1t was Senator Dickey's bill increasing
the fees Of witnesses-in justice trials from
SOC. TO Il a day, and IN county court trial
from q to q day. The bill had passed
both houses without much opposition
Late Thursday afternoon the reporters
were informed that the governor had We
/ toed It, and the afternoon papers an
nounced the fact. This was the first in
/ formation the members received Of it.
They were mad, especially those of the
Senate, where the bill originated. Giving
/ the news to the press in this way was the
result Of somebody's blunder, OF course,
for the Senate should have been notified
first.
The governors reasons for Withholding
approval he stated to be that increasing
illnesses pay would s'tend TO create an
army OF professional witnesses" whereas
the true idea was to require the presenta-
ton OF evidence more as a matter Of the
citizens duty than for the sake of profit.
The governor also held that it would in
crease litigation. He omitted to state
what is doubtless true-that it would
swell court expenses probably $4,000 a
year.
These reasons have doubtless some
weight, but the Senate silently and con-
feaN III 10
n 10 6. In the House, there was some de-
bate over it. Grout, as usual, took the
weaker side IN support OF the governor.
Archibald, Eddy, Start and others spoke
for the bill as just one, holding that wit
nesses, particularly poor men, should not
be compelled to drop their work and 60 TO
court to testify in matters that were no
concern TO them at a compensation that
meant an actual loss to them. The House
voted 176 to rs to pass the bill over the
governor, and it thus becomes law with
out his approval. Such a bill has fire.
quently been offered before, but never
passed. The veto caused considerable
comment.
Another feature OF interest Thursday
was the report OF the committee on claims,
which has been investigating some alleged
abuses in certain directions. They had
gone over the 100000 vouchers and papers
in the auditors office and found that not
all the acc UNITS OF state officers and COM |
missioners were subscribed to under oath, |
as the law requires. This was for the first /
six months OF the last biennial term only; |
the last eighteen months they were all /
right, They found that not all the ex
penses OF the officers were accompanied by |
pr per vouchers, as they should be. The
state board of health, state laboratory of |
hygiene and fish and game commission
were criticised for excessive clerk hire.
In the conduct of state institutions, it
appears that cash discounts are not taken,
as good business prudence would suggest;
that regular retail prices are paid for sup
plies when wholesale should be secured;
that the heavy purchases should be made
by cooperation at large saving that
excessive prices are paid; that
directors and trustees do not give suffi-
sient attention to their duties.
The auditors Office Is found to be in a
eongested condition that suggests an in
'rease in accommodations and additional
clerical assistance to the extent OF $500
year; that the auditor thus would be re-
ieved of some OF his routine duties and
GOULD give more critical attention to the
)ecuniary affairs OF the state institutions.
The system Of book keeping originated
~ ex-Auditor Barber and perfected by
auditor Graham is commended, and fur
her Improvements suggested.
On the whole, the report was a bad
roast" II will be followed by the report
u the special committee now busy investi
rating the various state institutions, which ,
$ likely to be of similar tenor. This latter
is working during the recess so
IS TO finish up its extensive job.
The committee on claims presented two
ills to correct the abuses discovered. ,
The Orleans county fellows in the House
ot at each other again Friday morning I
N the bill to divide the grammar school
unds OF the county so that Derby and +,
'raftsoury academies should be the sole +,
eneticiaries to the loss of the high schools
hat now receive part Of it, Grout and :
blanchard, who sit one in front of the !
Their, met here as before in opposition.
lilies and others sided against Circuit and =
e was badly beaten, which is no new ex- :
erience for him this year.
The Senate passed Senate bills increas-
ng allowance to widows; allowing s25 !
ravestOne to come out of an estate before
reditors or heirs can come in; prescribing Z
ne for damaging highways; also House :
Ills legalizing grand list OF Hartford; al
)wing widows the household goods: pay- !
lg Chester cattle owners for their ami !
lals killed during the foot and mouth
iseasei appropriation for Soldiers Home: n
rejection OF shade trees; authorizing :
hItcomb High school district OF Bethel !
A. SN1tAo AoA rev SCHOOL bululnE.
Inc senate killed Senate bills regulating n
ractice OF embalming; relating to use on :
ubiic telephone systems by private tele- q
hone companies; also killed House bills 4
slatlng to records OF Corinth; prohibiting i
ewspaper publishers from collecting for !
apers sent after subscription has expired: 4
KING personal property, debts due, etc, 4
here located. i
The House finally passed the bill Great /
lg office Of attorney general with :
nenuments giving him a stenographer, L
&C., IN which the Senate at once con- :
1rred. The salary is $500 and the officer =
% be elected this year by the assembly y
nd hereafter by the people at September
ection. The House, after a little talk.
-dered TO third reading the House biIi
rovldlng that the railroad commission =,