St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-11-28
OUR LEGISLATIVE LETTER.

(From our Montpelier correspondent
The members of the legislature are TAX
ing a rest and they have earned it. For
several weeks it has been apparent that
the sessions work could not be COM
pleted before Thanksgiving, but this has
in nowise lessened the industry of sena-
ators and representatives and rarely if
ever have Vermont lawmakers come
down to this period in session with so
much notable legislation to their credit.
Both houses adjourned on Friday after
noon until Tuesday, December 4, and
during the recess members will receive no
pay, although members of some of the
more important committees will in all
probability employ themselves in dispos-
ing of some of the many bills to be con-
sidered after Thanksgiving.
COURT REoRG ANIzATIoN.
The most notable event of. the past
week, if not of the entire session, was the
enactment into law of the bill reorganiz-
ing the court system. The new law in
augurates the dual system and creates
supreme court of four members and a
superior court of seven members who
shall hold court in the various counties.
1t is an interesting fact that under the
new law the supreme court will again be
con wheels" after quarter of century
but its wanderings will not be so extern
sive as in the old days. The new law
provides that general terms of the
supreme court shall be held at Mont
pelier in January May and October, and
that special terms shall be held at St.
Johnsbury on the second Tuesday in
February; at Rutland on the second
Tuesday in November and at Brattle-
boro on the third Tuesday in the same
month. At the St. Johnsbury session
cases pending in Caledonia, Essex and
Orleans counties will be heard if it is so
desired by either party in the case; other
wise cases will be heard at the general
term. 1t is provided that upon the fail
ure of three of the four supreme court
judges to concur the Judgment of the
lower court shall be affirmed.
The superior court is trial court and
its members, with side judges as under
the old law, will preside at the county
court and in chancery cases. 1t is also
expected that much of the work now
performed by special masters will be done
by members of the superior bench. If {
judge of the supreme is unable to per
form his duties the chief of the superior
judges may designate member Of thu
lower court to serve in his stead, and fol
like reasons judge Of the supreme cour
may be detailed to serve as a Judge of tn
superior court. The salary ofjudges o
both courts is fixed at $3000a year will
allowances for necessary expenses.
Up to the very day the House voted o.
!. the dual court proposition and approves
. it by large majority there was cor
: siderable doubt as to the outcome of tn
n agitation. This fact compelled tn
0 various aspirants for the proposed ne,
8 places to sleep under cover to great e.
a tent but when it became apparent the
G the bill would pass and become la,
DC candidates came out thick and fas
y Hale *. Darling, member of the Hou
from Chelsea and chairman of the iuC
ciary committee might have had one
the new judgeships without asking
4, but he declined to be candidate. Sever
- others were urged by their friends to g
10 into the race but when Friday, the de
lg set for the election, came, the field he
n narrowed kown to Senator William |
- Taylor of Hardwick; former Lieutenan
- Governor, Zed S. Stanton of Roxbur
he Col Alfred A. Hall of st. Adams; Ho
an E. L. Waterman Of Brattleboro; John |
fit Senter of Montpelier, and former Cove
g nor W w. Stickney of Ludlow.
The new law reduces the number
mt the supreme bench from seven to fou
ut and members of longest standing we
tv elected to their places. Thus the high
ha court consists of Hon. John w. Rowell
- Randolph, chief judge, and Hon. ].
Tyler of Brattleboro, Hon. Lovelar
st Munson of Manchester and Hon Tol
ay H. Watson of Montpelier, associa
CT judges. The remaining members of Il
ire old supreme bench, Hon. Seneca Has,
of ton of Burlington, Hon. George \
be Powers of Morrisville and Hon. w. '
he Miles were elected as members of Il
so new court, the first named being Il
y chief judge. Then from the candidat
,et above mentioned the legislature select,
cir Messrs. Waterman, Hall and Taylor
ID, complete the membership. The first tv
he were elected without opposition, II
,al contest being made for last place. Fo,
ballots were required. On the first Il