Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-12-28
WIndham County Members In the
Legislature.

On account of delay in the mails the
following notes from our Montpelier cor
respondent of the services Of our Wind
ham county representatives during the
legislative session were not used In our
closing legislative report last week.
Eli H. Porter of Wilmington, styled the
watchdog of the treasury" was by gen.
eral consent the real leader Of the House.
Had he not been strong and capable
man he would not being Democrat,
have been promptly confirmed by the
Senate as a railroad commissioner. This
was Mr.. Porter's fourth term as repre-
sentative from Wilmington. He came to
the House with a greater experience than
any other member, with a wide acquaint-
ance with public men and measures, and
was known by reputa ton at least TO
large number of the members. His more
important service has been as chairman
OF the committee on ways and means,
member of the committee on appropria-
tions and member OF the special commit
tee to investigate the accounts of state
commissions. He has been intimately
concerned with most OF the important
legislation of the session and has been
one of the most influential members, be-
cause of his personal popularity, his rec
ogniZed integrity and his ability. The
appointment of such a Democrat as he TO
an important place in the state govern
ment has not aroused any protests.
Mr. Shaw OF Marlboro has been an eff
cient working member of the House. He
was placed on the committee on educa-
ton, a position for which his experience
had peculiarly fitted him, and as the leg
islation in regard to schools has been
some of the most important of the ses-
sion he has done valuable work. He also
served on the railroad committee and in
addition to his regular committee assign
ments has interested himself in the many
matters of consequence that have arisen,
and has acquitted himself in a manner to
Justify the good opinions formed of him.
Mr.. Ray of Rockingham has been eff
cient and capable and has won the regard
of those who have been associated with
him. Mr.. Ray lacks the ability of the
orator and has not been heard on the
floor of the House, but he has kept him
self thoroughly informed of the course Of
legislation and has proved his good judg-
ment in many instances Mr.. Allen of
Nottingham served on the general COM
mittee and besides being a faithful work
er developed some unexpected ability
as a speaker late in the session.
The committee assignments Of the other
members from the county were as follows:
Henry L. Carr, Athens, mileage and
debentures; Albert A. Austin, Brookline,
Joint committee on Industrial school; Ed
ward ]. Grout, Dover public buildings;
Willie w. Burnett, Immersion, grand list;
Norman r. Davis, Grafton, town lines;
Joel Flagg, Guilford. state prison; Fay
cite H. Niles, Halifax, military affairs;
James A. Muzzy, Jamaica, banks; Luke
T. Landman, Londonderry, elections; OAR
win A. Benson, Newfane, municipal cor
porations; Henry c. Warren, Putney,
game and fisheries; Lewis o. Harris,
Somerset, federal relations; Ernest c.
Pike, Stratton, land taxes; William S.
Holland, Townshend, claims; Eugene H.
Akley. Vernon, agriculture; Charles d.
Dexter, Wardsboro, state and court ex-
penses; Albert NJ Shipman, Westminster,
manufactures; w. G. Adams, Windham,
insane.
Attorney General c. c. Fits has been
an important factor in legislation, many
problems brought up in the course OF con-
sideration having been referred to him
for legal opinion.
The most important and useful work
done by Senator Chase was doubtless that
on the judiciary committee. He held sec
ond place on that committee at the be-
ginning OF the session, and was the chair
man after Senator Taylor was elected
Judge. All the more important measures
of the session came before this commit
tee. Early In the session Mr.. Chase was
chairman Of a sub committee OF the ju-
dietary which had a large part OF the
statutes to revise and correct