St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-11-14

(From our Montpelier correspondent
The Grade Crossing to Barre
QuarrieS-"Druggists" Licenses State
Prison Directors-Flotsam and Jetsam.
There has been some speculation as to
the probable action of the Senate upon
the House bill providing for the gradual
adjustment of dangerous grade cross
ings in the state but the upper house
quietly but emphatically announced its
position on Friday by passing the
measure without opposition This was
bill adovated by Governor Proctor in
his inaugural address and though it was
opposed by the railroads the fact that it
passed both houses easily indicates that
the legislature and administration are in
accord. The bill provides that dan
gerous railroad crossings shall be gradu-
ally abolished and the expense appor-
toned as follows: the town ten percent,
the state twenty-five percent, and the
railroad sixty-fve percent. Vermont has
been tagging behind other states in this
matter and the enactment of this law is
sure to be counted among the greatest
acts of the present legislature.
A visit to the Barre granite quarries
has become fixture in legislative ses-
sions and it is doubtful if the legislators
could possibly spend half day to better
advantage. Such a visit was made on
Thursday of fast week when the legisla-
ture adjourned at noon and took a
special tr in for the quarries where the
afternoon was spent. When the train
was made up the railroad officials re-
served one car for the use of Governor
Proctor and his party, but the Governor
good naturally refused the privilege and
cast his lot with the multitude. This
fairly illustrates the Governor in his
daily life at the capital. The executive
chamber is always open and everyone
who comes is given the same cordial
welcome.
There have been several proposals to
change various features of the liquor law
but none are receiving so much attention
as those which attempt to so adjust the
regulating of fifth class or druggists
licenses. There is strong sentiment in
favor of making the restrictions in this
class somewhat milder but the indica
lions are that nothing radical will be
done. There has been strong demand
on the part of druggists for change but
legislators have foundit difficult to frame
bill that gives promise of appealing tc
majority of the law makers. Senator
Holden of Bennington county has intro
duced one which fixes the fee at $40
Licenses to be granted by the commits
sioner in towns voting yes and by tn
selectmen in towns voting mo" Appli
cants must have the recommendation o
the board of civil authority in the tow
and must have the approval of the stat
board of pharmacy. Druggists holding I
license shall only sell upon prescription o
physician or upon the certificate of tn
purchaser. This is where the rub come
for it smacks so much OF the oldrepudiat
ed liquor agency system that men witt
memories are inclined to frown upon it
The present law makes prohibition
, effective in mo" towns, they say, ant
there is no desire to return to the oil
system. Senator Holdens bill, however
E provided heavy penalties for false certif
= Gates or prescriptions.
f Senator Redfeld is the author of a bi
, abolishing the boards of directors of tn
| state prison, house of correction and til
4 state industrial school and creating i
their stead a penal institutions board {
three members which shall have directio
over the three, and one of whom sha
act as purchasing agent for these institr
Y tons.