Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-27

u
the history of Vermont has ever car
ried out so many measures known as
administration measures as during tho
session just closed. and it follows
that no governor Of this state has been
able to shape legislation as has Gov
ernor Proctor. At the same time Gov
ernor Proctor Is more ready than any
body else to give the lions share Of
the credit for the excellent record made
to the able and active men who have
co-operated with him so thoroughly in
the respective branches Of the Legisla-
ture
The session Of the Legislature was
noteworthy for the number of bills
passed dealing with railroad matters
Acts were spread on the Vermont
statutes providing for the gradual
elimination of grade crossings, divid-
ing the expense between the railroads
of the State, and the towns concerned
The rate of taxation paid by railroad
corporations to the State was ma
terially increased so that the state will
receive from this one source alone
| about $4,000 more income than for
merly. An act was passed to regu-
| late rates and prevent discrimination
| in rates of transportation. A law was
passed giving the railroad com
mission judicial standing and largely
| increased powers
The cause and interests Of vermont's
public schools and educational system
were materially promoted by vari-
Gus acts. The most important measures
In this direction were those pro.
viding for the Capitalization of school
direction and more efficient supervision
and the adoption of measures to estab-
fish a permanent school fund in keep
ing with the Importance of Nermont's
school system.
! The good roads movement, which is
closely allied with Vernont's progress
in various other directions was
promoted by the Legislature through
state highway commission, giving our
road system the benefit of engineering
ability and experience, and providing
for more thorough supervision of
permanent road construction.
Our tax laws were modified IN
various ways in addition to the Increase
of the tax on railroad corporations al
ready mentioned. The limit on the
amount of deposits which may be kept
removed. and this Is expected to
bring a large amount of money into the
| state and increase the revenue re-
ceived from the corporation tax on saw
ings banks Money loaned to towns at
a specified rate is exempted from taxa
ton. The governor Is authorized to
appoint a bipartisan tax commission of
six, three members from each of the
leading parties to Investigate the sub
|
the next regular session, Of the Legis-
lature. or for special session of the
Legislature IL they are ready to report
next year
In addition to the railroad legislation
noted, the Legislature provided for
further regulation of corporations by
| a IL inc hi
show their books, when the proper pro-
cedure is taken.
| Another important departure in con :
nection with our judicial system is the
reorganization Of our courts, the estab-
lishment of superior court and the
placing OF the supreme court on its
proper basis as court Of appeals. The
fee system was abolished to an
encoura ging degree. and the refere
custom discontinued.
In the way OF administrative reforms
the office of the State auditor was
ireorganized and the force of the de-
partment increased so as to make DOS
sible the efficient and prompt disposal
of business; the directors Of the State
prison and House OF Correction and the
trustees OF the industrial school have
been abolished and a State board OF
penal institutions created to take the
place of the abolished boards; a law
was passed to punish State
officials who neglect their duties and
the purchase of supplies for State in
stitutions has been further regulated
Other measures Of general interes,
passed by the Legislature include the
following:
Authorizing the conveyance of real
estate by the wife after divorce from
bed and board, Imposing penalty on
town clerks who knowingly issue mar
rage licenses to persons OF weak mind
paupers, etc. The granting OF a new
city charter to Rutland. Forbiddine
the use OF firearms by persons under
twelve, unless under charge of paren,
or guardian, Prohibiting the house to
house distribution Of medicines, drugs
and chemicals. Prohibiting brokerage
In insurance. Prohibiting misuse OF