St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-10-24
States for the district of Vermont-and
fill it WE'LL Rutland News.
The Week at the State House.

election of State 0fficers.-Tw0 Bills fol
aCaledonia County Jail.-SOcial Events
-FlOtSam and JetSam.
The wheels of the legislative mill have
been turning steadily the past week
barring the adjournment from Friday
noon to Monday afternoon, and some o
the committees, notably the general ant
judiciary, have plenty of work in sight
| Unusual interest centers about the
numerous automobile bills and one hear
ing has already been held. In the mean
time the friends of the honk machine are
giving free rides to the members of the
legislature all over the adjacent country,
being careful in every instance to provide
safe chauffeur for the trip.
ELECTION OF STATE OFFICERS.
This occurred Thursday afternoon and
proved a veritable love feast, the nomi-
mating Astounding in graceful tributes to
faithful public servants. In joint assem-
blv Mason S. Stone was elected superin-
tendent of education; Charles H. Ferrin
of Montpelier, sergeant-at-arms; Gen.
w. H. Gilmore of Fairlee; adjutant and
inspector general; N. G. Williams of
Bellows Falls, judge advocate general,
Among the seconds to'the nomination OF
Mr.. Stone was Senator Taylor OF Gale
donia. These trustees were elected OF
the University of Vermont: Senator
Redfeld Proctor of Proctor; Hon. E. J.
Ormsbee of Brandon; Hon. Nelson w.
Fisk of Isle la Motto.
AUTOMOBILE HEARING.
The coat room was crowded to the
doors Thursday evening to attend the
automobile hearing. Four bills were
under consideration, the bills allowing
the town to prescribe what roads shall
be used for machines; the bill prohibiting
machines to be run between Friday noon
and the following Monday noon; the
bill prohibiting the use of machines Fri
days, Saturdays and Sundays, and the
bill compelling the Chauffeur to exercise
more care in passing teams, and when
ever an accident occurs render all assist
ance in his power.
Mr.. Porter of Wilmington raised the
question of the right of towns to close
their roads to automobiles as bill No. 3
provides. In reply the chairman an
nounced that the committee was await
ing an opinion from the encouragement
on that subject. w. B. c. Stickney, of
Bethel, Joseph Battell, of Middlebury,
Mr.. Davis, of Fairlee, Mr.. Niles of Hall
fax, Mr.. Harris of Somerset, and Mr..
Hamblin of Cornwall, favored automo-
bile restriction. Senator Davis of Wind
sor, A. J. Sibley of Montpelier, and F. c.
Williams, of Newport, argued against
the closing of the public roads to motor
vehicles. The chairman, Mr.. Gibson o.
Brattleboro, announced that another
hearing would be held
The members recognize that none
of the bills reaches the root of the evil o
fast running and other bills more drastic
are sure to be introduced.
A LITTLE FUN AT MR.. RICKER's EXPENSE
Mr. Senter of Montpelier, the recog
nized leader of the democracy, had ;
little fun at the expense of Mr.. Kicker O
Groton, Friday morning, who introduces
House bill 119, which exempts widows
property from taxation after they ar
40 years old, provided they sign bon
with selectmen of towns or aldermen {
cities that they will neven again marry
Mr.. Senter, for the judiciary committee
gravely rose and said that committe
did not feel competent to consider TIL
bill and asked that it be referred to
special committee of bachelors of tt
House composed of Mr.. Boright of Ricl
ford, Mr.. Scott of Brandon, Mr.. Cob
of Brighton, Mr.. Noonan of Addiso
Mr.. Seaver of Williamstown, Mr.. Evar
of Windsor, Mr.. Hatch of STAFFORD, M
Soule of Fairfield and Mr. Beeman
Fairfax. The chair stated that while tt
special committee proposed by Mr.. Sc
ter would undoubtedly be able to dispo
= of this measure he would refer the san
to the committee on the grand list. tt
Z event created much laughter and was
refreshing change from the routine bu
ness of the morning.
Y THE CALEDONIA COUNTY JAIL.
: A hearing was held on Thursday eve
q ing for the benefit of the county membe
on House bill As, which provides for
+ new jail for this county. The bill pl
L vides for an appropriation not
e exceed $4,000 to procure a site a
&c erect jail in st. Johnsbury and nan
Walter P Smith, George T. Ea
e man and ]. F. Ruggles as commission,
n to have charge of the erection of t
building. A number of people interest
in the new jail were present and t
hearing was presided over by Senat
v Taylor. Brief addresses were made
r Deputy Sheriff Cofrin, Deputy Shel
A. Worthen, Sheriff Winch, T. A. Meader
Y. Ryegate, Drs. Aldrich and Ross of s
Johnsbury and Chief of Police Moves
>, st. Johnsbury, Mr. Coffrin's somewh
- sarcastic remarks were resented bv Ser