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

consideration and final passage by
the legislature will be matter of
pride and pleasure to his home con-
stituency-this measure representing, as
it unquestionably does, the most i'm
portant advance step in our educational
affairs (which has been taken by any
legislature in many years. Brattleboro
Phoenix.
The beginning of this week found the
Legislature with about 500 bills to be
disposed of before adjournment and if the
endcomes before Thanksgiving, as most
of the members hope, an average OF
about forty bills will have to be acted
upon each working day. That would be
easy enough if all the bills were as trivial
and unimportant as great majority OF
them are, but the fact is several of them
are hard nuts to crack and are sure to
consume considerable time.
Some of the unfinished work are the
bills to abolish capital punishment; give
added powers to the railroad commits
sion; prevent rebates and determinations
in railway rates; to improve highways;
to provide for weekly payments by cor
porations; the employers liability bill,
and other proposed measures of great
importance to the people of the state.
The bill permitting several towns to
unite in providing skilled supervision for
their schools has become law, but the
problem of creating permanent school
fund of So, 100000 out of the Hunting
ton Fund, the United States deposit
money and the Civil war claim fund is
still on the waiting list Ali of these
things should be given ample considera-
ton even if a dozen or two fish and game
bills have to be sighted.
Perhaps it is unwise to consider poll
tics when legislation is the order of the
day but it will be interesting to note
how many platform pledges and recon-
1nendations will be enacted into law at
this session. The legislature of 1904 did
nobly in carrying out platform pledges
and this fact was potent in the last
campaign.
The last republican platform pledged
to safeguard the states funds, and up to
date the legislature has been extremely
careful to do this and give evidence of
keeping it up until the end. 1t recon-
mended laws for raising the standard Of
education, and the lawmakers appear to
be of the same mind. 1t recognized the
evils of the fee system and recommended
a remedy but up to date this question
has been somewhat in the background.
1t recommended amendments to the
present caucus law, but fulfllment still
to come. 1t deplored unequal and
double taxation and recommended
measures of relief All sorts of remedies
for the cure of double taxation have been
offered but up to date the committee
having them in charge have not an
nounced any particular nostrum they
desire to have tried on the suffering
patient. Unjust taxation is receiving a
good share of attention and unless signs
fail railroads and perhaps some other
corporations are likely to find next year. S
tax bill somewhat larger than in the
past. A further trial of the local option
law is recommended and no one has
moved for its repeal.
Some scheme for permanently improved
highways was advised but while move
in this direction is likely to be made
: nothing radical will be accomplished or
attempted. 1t was recommended that
the legislature give careful attention to
the ACCESSIBILITY of recognizing our judi
: ciary system, and the house committee
; on the Judiciary is giving it careful atten-
ton but the result of their deliberations
may or may not result in a change. A
uniform system of municipal accounting
was recommended and this subject is re-
ceiving some consideration. Rebates and
determinations in the matter of railroad
rates were deplored and it seems likely
that law regulating commerce in the
state will be enacted
1t will be seen that all these are mat
ters of Importance to Vermont and it can
hardly be expected that they will be set
tied within the II working days before
Thanksgiving.
| Mr. Senter of Montpelier has introduc-
ed bill providing that depositors of a
years standing in any bank who with
draw sums of 500 or more may receive
l interest on the same to date of with
f drawal.
Senator Taylor is the author of a bill
!, providing that service of trustee process
4 on one member of "a co-partnership shall
: be sufficient.
The house killed bill introduced by
Mr.. Leddy of Underhill providing for a
national flag for every public school.
Senator Taylor has introduced bills
providing that savings banks may pay
:. interest on deposits not to exceed 212 per
cent semi-annually; to incorporate the
= Wells River and Barre Electric Railroad
}, Company, and the Newport and Hard
q wick Railroad Company.
Mr.. Carr of St. Johnsbury, chairman
!. of the committee on highways and
bridges, has introduced from that com
mittee bill appropriating $4,000 for
the permanent improvement of high
ways. This provides for the appoint
ment by the Governor of state high
way commissioner who shall each year
: appoint county supervisors at SO a day
/ for time actually expended. The purpose
> OF this bill is to encourage towns in con-
structing permanent main highways
: under the direction and with the aid of
3 the state. Mr.. Carr has also introduced
/ a bill permitting incorporated villages
to elect tree wardens and appropriate
money for the protection of shade trees.
Representative Turnbull of Barton has
introduced bill to regulate telephone
! rates in Vermont and this was the sub
Ject OF a lively hearing before the general
committee of the house on Wednesday
evening. 1t was contest between the
New England Telephone Company and
the independent companies and both
were represented by able counsel George
w. Wing of Montpelier appearing for the
independent interests and w. B. c..