St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-10-26
MONTPELIER Gossip.

Especial Correspondence of the CALEDoNIAN.l
MoNrpEL1ER, Oct. 25-The third week
of the session has been marked by con.
siderable activity on the part of our
legislators and results count up rather
above the average record, date for date.
The committees have apparently started
in with the idea of getting the less i'm
portant bills out of the way as rapidly
as is consistent with fair treatment, and
quite number of these measures have
already been disposed OF, so far as the
committees are concerned. This plan
will ensure more time for the considera-
ton of the weightier matters, of which
there are at least half dozen that de-
mand wise and serious attention. The
week has been marked by two special
occasions-the joint assembly's ratiica-
ton of Senator Proctor's election, and
the choice of supreme court judges and
certain other state officers.
Senator Proctor was given a most
cordial greeting by the legislature on
Wednesday noon as he stepped to the
platform after being formally presented
by the committee. His remarks were as
follows:
81 thank you most sincerely for your
hearty reception. To serve the state of
Vermont in any capacity is no small
honor. To be repeatedly called to such
service adds thereto in tenfold measure.
The history OF Vermont from her earliest
days has been such as to give those who
serve her without her borders an honor
able prestige at the outset. The record
made by my predecessors in congress has
justified this prestige. This, while it
successors, also adds to their RESPONSE
bilities. It makes it incumbent upon
them not only to foster and protect the
interests of the state, but to show them
selves in every respect worthy of the high
trust conhded to them from such a
source.
''Since my last election Senator Morrill,,
a man of whom it is impossible to speak
in fitting terms of love and praise, has
passed to the greater senate of the world
beyond. For nearly ten years of my stay
in Washington had his wisdom and ex-
perience to lean upon, and he always
gaveme in full measure his friendship and
counsel. No father could be more con-
siderate of a sons welfare than he was of
mine. Though several years have now
passed since his decease, the memory Of
that grand man will ever be freshly
cherished by the people of the state and
nation he loved and served so well. And
it may not be out of place to speak of
the high character and ability OF my
colleagues from Vermont, past and pres
ent, in both senate and house, and to say
that there has not been, and is not now,
the least friction, pickering or division in
the Vermont delegation. All have been
and are united in their devotion to the
interests of the state.
"Six years ago when came before the
joint assembly on an occasion similar to
this, we had just completed a successful
foreign war. The occasion seemed OPP
perfume. and availed myself of it to dis
cuss some of the new questions which at
that juncture confronted us. Now we
are in the midst of a political campaign,
and it seems to me not appropriate to
speak of any matters that can have
partisan bearing.
Il am party man-proud of my party,
and believe in it's principles, but / have
always tried, and shall continue to try,
to represent all of the people of this state
without respect to party differences. The
primary duty OF member of the United
States Senate is to the larger national
interests committed by the constitution
to that body. At the same time do not
intend to be unmindful of the peculiar in
terests of our own Vermont.
eff 1 must be judged by what I have
accomplished, L can claim but little, but
if judged by my constant purpose and
endeayor to serve the state faithfully and
efficiently, | feel that I have given the
best service that in me lies. To continue
so to do will, Mr.. President and gentle
men, be my aim and ambition so long as
/ shall represent Vermont in the position
to which your confidence has assigned
me-"
Non resident deer hunters will now pay
fifteen dollars for that privilege in YER
mont. The bill to that effect was ener-
getically pushed through last week, and
was signed by the governor on Friday
just in time to take effect the present
open season, which began on Saturday.
The license must be obtained from the
fish and game commissioners. It's a case
of pretty short notice-but, since the leg
islature says SO, it goes.
ALI bounties on noxious animals have
been wiped out, and the state treasury is
thus saved a substantial out go. Not a
word was uttered against the passage of
this bill, in either house or senate. Indeed
the farmers organization, discussing this
matter the night before the bill came up,
voted unanimously to support it, main
ly on the ground that the market price of
the skins was inducement enough for the
average hunter.
Senator Stacks attorney-general bill
went through the senate without mate
rial opposition, on the ground of econ
omy and practical usefulness. It was
amended to make the Office elective by
the general assembly, after this year, in
stead of appointive by the governor.
This bill will have considerable support
in the house. but whether enough to pass
Or of - he