Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-10-06

latures, which started out with compare
lively little hope of brilliant achieve
ment but which through the spurning
of this very knowledge and consequent
industry made highly creditable records
The Legislature which assembled at
Montpelier yesterday converted under ia
vorable auspices as regards the poten-
talitics of achievement. In the first place
it includes in its membership not few
men of strong native ability and Of ripe
experience in matters legislative. Given
that experience Joined to recognized
ability, and only opportunity Is lacking
to assure material results. Such oppor-
tunity the present Legislature has in
abundance, heaped up and running over.
| One Of the first essentials for the pres
ont Legislature is the formulation of
measures that will recognize the popular
demand for the adoption of modern
| methods in dealing with the states bust
ness affairs. In these days the CONNER
| ciaI firm which clngs to antiquat I'd
| methods speedily becomes a reminscence.
A State can also fail behind in the march
| of progress, and while it can not he
| crowded out of existence. it can suffer
| material loss through failure to profit
| by the application of new appliances and
new methods TO the care of its manifold
interests and varied institutions. The
Hon Z. c. Smith, when governor, spoke
about giving his official salary OF N,5@
per year to tho State if new system
| of accounts could be inauguratod; and
the need Of this Improvement must be-
come moro pressing with the multiplicity
of details incidental TO our natural de
velopmcnt az a commonwealth. so too W.
, must face the need of an attorney general
or other legal official representing tho
state in important cases. These and
other demands offer some suggestion OF
the opportunity for legislation for the
state itself.
The call for legislation providing for
caucus reform is so pronounced, coming
as it does from all quarters and from all
parties that there is really no good roa-
son why this Legislature should not pass
a political primary law 1t is not tn be
expected that the first attempt will re.
suit In the formulation Of law that is
perfect in all its details and its results
but beginning must be made
Then again the local option law must
he amended to a material degree. and this
Mood is being empha sized by both the
champions and tho opponents of the pres
ent law. A spirit Of temperance must
characterize the lawmakers who have tho
active work OF framing amendments 20
the law, ana if all concerned enter upon
the task with a spirit Of liberation com
hinod with a desire TO promote the inter
ests Of the people. there will be little dam
ger of serious clash of interests in tina,
connection.
Our people have been listening to TO
pcated demands for curtailmcnt in state
expenses. but this Legislature is faced at
the very outset ny demands which mean
appropriations in new directions our
agricultural interests are demanding an
appropriation for new dairy school, AMI
Judging from the widespread recognition
| of the dcsrability Of making possible this
progressive step for important farming
population this proposition is likely To
meet very little, If any. opposition. There
are various other directions in which
calls for new appropriations will he made
and the Legislature will he constrained
to consider both the calls for economy am
demands for progressive legislation.
II is evident from the topics named ant
from the additional hist of measures which
Will readily suggest themselves to stu
dents Of public affairs that there Will bC
grand opportunities for constructive leGis
| latlOn as we'll as for the exercise Of gooC
plain, common sense in the present Leg
satUrc: and we believe that at the enc
Of the session tho people of Vermont vii
not be disappointed in relation to th'
character of service performed by oui
present lawmakers.