Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1906-12-14
Doings at M ontpelier.
Especial to the HERALD }

lSItClil w 'ilN ii''"'N'-''
Montpelier, VT, December l. There
was Il good working quorum IN both
houses when the sessions OF the leglSla-
ture opened Monday morning, y mum
her of minor measures We're disposed OF
and several hills were introduced. The
house sat only about half an hour IN
the afternoon, as there was little work /
in readiness. /
SATURDAY ; sessions were well attended. /
The members had unanimously voted !
not to take the usual adjournment. but
many of them planned to go home.
When they leaned that their absence
would be noted on the public records
they decided to remain, SO II consider
able amount OF business was disposed OF.
There is still a large number OF bills
with the committees, and the best opiu
ION now is that final adjournment will
lot he possible this week
The general appropriation bill was
introduced 10y the committee last week.
It carries nearly million and half
for the biennial term. some 100000
Ulplt lIull WI NllV lINNio'' W rs ~
though there was much talk OF eNtrava-
gance and necessary economy III the last
campaign, not word of protest has been
heard against the enlarged appropriation.
In fact most OF the important legislation
has been passed with ease. Governor
Proctor has proven SO Stong an tXecu.
tive, has been so fair with ali members,
so willing to listen to reason, and wlthaI
SO anxious that legislation of real bene-
fit to the state should be enacted, that
the Legislature has been anxious to agree
with his ideas wherever possible. LegiS-
la.ion for improving the schools is largely
responsible for the increased appropria
ton. and the members have been very
willing to grant it after reading the re-
port of the superintendent of education
and the message of the governor Better
supervision and equalization of school
advantages are the important improve
ments. The legislature thought these
two enough and refused to pass the bill
providing for instruction i'll elementary
agriculture.
The attempt to free the toll bridges
between Vermont aud New Hampshire
towns is likely to fail, as the Vermont
and New Hampshire commissioners do
not agree on the division of expense.
The Vermont commissioners advisS that
this state pay one-third of the expense,
while the opinion in New Hampshire is
that the state should pay one-haIf. The
legislature were not Informed of this
difference of opinion until late i'll the
session.
The passage Of the weekly payment
bill is the measure of the greatest i'm
portance to the labor interests of the
state, one for which they have worked
for years.
1t is believed that increased efficiency
will result from aboishing the board of
directors of the state prison and house
of correction and trustees of the indus
trial school, aud merging them i'll a state
board for penal institutions, and it is
thought that the measure will also Prove
to tie one of economy.
Whether any great expense will be
imposed by the new law making com.
pensation for damages done by deer tc
crops and shrubs remains to be seen
The commissioner of fisheries and game
who has had in his hands for several
years the Wheeler fund for paying such
damages, has had occasion to use but
little. The taxation of interest bearing
deposits in national banks and the ill-
creased tax on railroad corporations will
add enough to the income of the state st
to meet the expenses, and no state tax
will be required.
Mr.. Cobb of Brighton has been one
of the hard worked members of the
House. His position on the committee
on banks has been one requiring great
deal of work and has involved some per
peXities. lie has also served on the
committee on ways and means, whicl
has had to deal with unusually important
matters. and has been chairmon Of the
joint staining committee on temperance
His ability, faithtulnrsS aud good nature
have made an excellent impression.
1t is not probable that amy specia
effort will be made to solve the problem
OF double taxation. None Of the biIls
that the committee have considered
seems to meet the case and it is expected
that an mtavorabe report will be made
on them all, with no recommendation 10y
the committee of anything different.
This week will see the report of til.
special committee that has been investi.
eating state commissions, and probably
the passage of the act reconstructng tie
railroad commission. There are more
than IA dozen candidates foi the position
of railroad commissioners. but it is i'm
possible to make any prediction regard
ing the appointment until pending leGia.
latiom is disposed OF.
The court of claims appears to have
been an expensive Institution and there
is "a call for its abolition. The invehti
eating committee had no authority to
take up this case and the committee on
claims has Endorsed the court, but there
is "A feeling that it does not accomplish
the purpose for whicl, it was intended.