Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-10-07
MERRIFIELD THE SPEAKER
GENERAL ASSEMBLY MET WE'D
NESDAY AND ORGANIZED.
Senator Prouty Of Newport President
Pro Tem-Governors Messages de-
iivered Yesterday - Caucus Bills
Introduced.

IVtVouNSSS
The legislature is at 1t again.
Bratteboro came to the front at
the start In the house, when Repre-
sentative Clarke Fits nominated
Speaker Merrifield of Newfane for re-
election.
Mr.. Merrifield received 211 votes out
of 240 the other 29 going to G. II.
Pape of Barre, democrat, who moved
to make Mr.. Merrifeld's election un-
animous.
Rev. Guy C. Lamson of Montpelier,
son Of Mr.. and Mrs. c. b. Lamson OF
Brattleboro, and pastor of the Mont
pelier Baptist church, was elected
chaplain of the house. He received
166 votes out of 226, 60 being cast for
Rev. ]. T. Marvin of Hardwick.
Senator G.. II. Prouty of Newport
was elected president pro tenn. of the
senate without opposition.
Walter X. Farnsworth of Rutland
was reelected secretary of the sem
ate; Rev. NJ. w. Farman of Westfieid
was reelected chaplain of the senate
receiving is votes to IL for Rev. l. 5.
Yerkes of White River Junction; I. c.
Cheney of Morrisville was reelected
clerk of the house; l.. b. Johnson of
Johnsbury were appointed reporters
of the house, Homer l.. Skeels of Lud-
low was re-appointed assistant sec
retary of the senate Fred l.. Hamil-
ton of salisbury and Charles A. Plum
lev of Mortified were appointed as
sistant clerks of the house.
The senate was called to order by
Lieutenant Governor Stanton at 10
O'Clock and every one of the 80 sena-
ators was present, not one OF Wnom
was in the senate last year, After the
organization was effected, the CUSTOM
ary resolutions relating to the adopt
ion of the rules of the last senate,
notifying the house and the governor
of organization, appointing a commit
tee to nominate standing committees
and a committee to canvass votes for
state and county officers, and to pro-
cure two daily newspapers and one
weekly paper for each member during
the session. were adopted, and the
senate adjourned at 11:05 a. m. SEN
ator Pierce was appointed on the COM
mittee to nominate standing commit
tees and made the motion to adjourn.
Senator Ware was appointed on the
committee to canvass votes for state
officers and Senator Pierce on the
committee to canvass votes for county
officers.
The senate met again at 2 p. m, and
adopted resolutions for a report of the
committee on claims as soon as possi-
BILE after examining the auditors
vouchers, and a resolution in refer
ence to the rental of typewriters, and
adjourned at $40 p. m.
The house met at II minutes past
10 o'clock, with every member present
but Mr.. LeBarron of Holland. The
same procedure was gone through as
in the senate, and practically the same
resolutions were passed, Representa-
tives Proctor of Proctor, Lewis OF
North Troy, Dartt of Springfield ana
Newton of Reading seconded the nom
ination of Speaker Merrifield, and
Representative Bullard of Burlington
nominated Mr.. Pape for the demo-
Gratis, Representative Porter of WHIT
journed at S:12 p. m.
A Joint assembly was held yester-
day afternoon to hear the retiring
message of Gov. Mccullough and the
inaugural message of GOV. Bell.
summary of each follows:
Gov. Bell recommends that double
taxation be avoided the equitable
taxation of all property, and the en-
actment of a law whereby no proper
ty real or personal, shall be exempt
He favors more central schools in ru-
raj communities and believes the sci
ence of agriculture should be promi-
nently taught He believes in govern
ment aid for road building and sug-
gests that automobiles be restricted
to a few straight roads and trunk
lines. In his opinion automobiles
should be licensed and numbered.
objection is made to the use OF
bridges and highway fences for ad-
vertising purposes. He finds the pub
lie institutions of the state III soou
condition. The creation of the office
of attorney general is favored. He
would enlarge the power of the cattle
commission and fix a date after Whlch
the state would cease to be reSpon-
sible for nearly the full value of dis
eased animals slaughtered. lie would
further enlarge the power of the rail-
road commission compelling greater
harmony between the schedules OF
competing railroad lines for the ac-
commodation of the public. The gov
ernor believes that agriculture is
still "the most important field for our
necessity of careful expenditure OF
public funds, an improved system OF
auditing. caucus reform and a revls-
ion of the liquor laws
Gov. Mccullough recommends that
no further increase in state expenses
be allowed and that a decrease be IN
sisted upon: favors the repeal of the
law authorizing the payment of boun-
ties on noxious animals and the pro-
vision of an adequate clerical force
for the auditors office. The expense OF
the insane poor at the
state hospital at Waterbury is SO
great that a thorough investigation Vi
conditions is recommended. The Gre
alton of the office of attorney geheral
is favored. He believes that the vote
on licensing the liquor traffic should
not be taken oftener than once IN
three or five years. He declares MS
belief in the necessity of caucus re-
form. A state forestry commission is
and the turning or
waste material from manufactures
and sewage from towns into the
streams of the state is condemned,
He does not believe in national ana
for. state roads. but would appoint a
of five men to serve WITH
ont nav TO work out a scheme for inn
nroving the state highways. Amend /
ments to the state constitution are
not favored.
Gov. Bachelor of New Hampshire
was present as a guest of Gov. Bell, !
and addressed the assembly by spec
ial invitation of that body
The senate standing committees /
,vera announced. Senator Pierce is 4
chairman of Highways and Bridges /
- J, -, A,r-;culf,,ra- Senator /