Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-12-21
WHAT LAWS HAVE BEEN PASSED.
Work of Legislature Summed Up by
Burlington Free Press.

Burlington Free Press.
The session of the legislature has
been noteworthy for the number OF
bills passed dealing with railroad mat
tiers. Acts have been spread on the
Vermont statutes providing for the
gradual elimination of grade crossings,
dividing the expense between the rail-
roads of the state and the towns con-
cerned. The rate of taxation paid by
railroad corporations 10 the state has
been materially increased, so that the
state will receive from this one source
alone about $4,000 more income than
formerly An act has been passed 70
regulate rates and prevent diserimina-
tion in rates of transportation. A law
has been passed giving the railroad com
mission a judicial standing and largely
increasing its powers.
The cause and interests Of Vermont
public schools and educational system
have been materially promoted by va
rious acts. The most important meas
ures in this direction have been those
providing for the Capitalization OF
school direction and more efficient su-
pervision and the adoption of measures
TO establish a permanent school fund IN
keeping with the Importance of YER
mont 5 school system.
The good roads movement, when Is
closely allied with Vermont $ progress
in various other directions, has been
promoted by the legislature through the
adoption of measures establishing
state highway commission, giving our
road system the benefit of engineering
ability and experience, and providing
for more thorough supervision OF per
manent road construction.
Our tax laws have been modified IN
various ways in addition to the IN
crease of the tax on railroad corpor-
ations already mentioned. The limit
on the amount of deposits which may
be kept in savings banks free of taxa
tion has been removed, and this is ex-
pected to bring a large amount OF mon
ev into the state and increase the rev.
enue from the corporation tax on rev.
ings banks. Money loaned to towns at
specified rate is exempted from taxa
tion. The governor is authorized to APP
point bipartisan tax commission OF
six. three members from each OF the
leading parties, to investigate the SUP
ieet of double taxation and report 10
the next regular session of the legls-
lature. or for a special session of the
legislature if they are ready to report
next year.
In addition to the railroad legisla-
ton noted, the legislature has provided
for further regulation of corporations
by making it possible to compel them 10
show their books, when the proper pro-
cedure is taken.
Another important departure in con-
nection with our judicial system is the
reorganization of the courts, the estaD'
lishment of a superior court and the
placing of the supreme court ON ITS
proper basis as court of appeals. The
foe system has been abolished to an en-
couraging degree, and the referee sys-
TEN discontinued.
In the way of administrative reforms
the office of the state auditor has peen
reorganized and the force of the de-
partment increased so as to make pos
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 state board OF
penal institutions created to take the
place of the abolished boards; law
has been passed to punish state officials
who neglect their duties and the pur'
chase of supplies for state institutions
has been further regulated,
Other measures of general interest,"
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
riage licenses to persons of weak mind,
paupers, etc. The granting of new
city charter to Rutland. Forbidding the
use of firearms by persons under II,
unless under charge of parent or guar
dian. Prohibiting the house to house
distribution of medicines, drugs ana
chemicals Prohibiting brokerage IN IN
surance. Prohibiting misuse Of recep-
tacles used in the sale of milk. tx
emptinp college fraternities and socl-,
cites from taxation. Amending the act
creating a medical board of registra-
tion. Continuing the tuberculosis COM
mission, Incorporating the Vermont
| improvement assoclalloh.
q hoard of visitors to state institutions.
Incorporating the Burlington industrial
Fire Insurance company. Providing Tor
the inspection of food, drugs and otaer
articles of common use. Providing Tor
the participation of Vermont IN the
jamestown exposition and for the op-
servance of the Lake Champlain tercen-
tenary.