Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-12-03

suits from few well-known facts
II there is any one measure with which
Governor Prouty's administration s iden-
titled, and on whose success in running
the legislative gauntlet the governors
pride and prestige hnng, it is this partic-
ular measure. Away back early in the
canvass, before the nominating conven-
ton, Mr.. Prouty declared himself in
favor OF law that would provide for
general supervision Of all the leading |
public utility corporations in the state, |
such as telephone and telegraph compan-
les, electric lighting and power compan-
les, the same as the transportation com
panies are now supervised BY the state
board Of railroad commissioners. In fact.
be made this the keynote Of his whole
canvass. He won, and in the state plat
form was written plank that spoke for
legislation Of this very sort.
A bill has been framed and intro
duced by Mr.. Barber Of Brattlsboro
embodying the ideas of the admin
istraticn. The governor undoubtedly
had hand in its preparation. It came in
late, was quickly reported back and was
taken up for passage in the House Just be-
fore Thanksgiving recess. At this stage,
on the plea that ii was 3 very important
measure; that no public hearing had been
held on it, and that II ought not to be
railroaded through, Mr.. Howe OF ST.
Johnsbnry. managed to have it put over
until after the recess. There are breakers
ahead for il, evidently.
But to recur to the Express and Stand
ards remarkable deliverance. The only
newspaper Published in Governor Prou-
tvs home town, paper that supported
him with considerable gusto for the ONCE
to which be has been chosen, is the first,
and so far the only, Republican paper to
assail the administrations pet measure.
Even that might pass with mere lifting
OF eyebrows were it not that in devoting
more than foil page to the Barber bill,
the Express took occasion to impuRn
Governor Prouty's motives in promoting
the measure in q way that cannot fail to
create q disagreeable situation all around.
With no more than appears to the outside
observer on which to base such a charge.
the Express and Standard has Numbered
badly. It was unnecessary, even il il
wished to oppose a measure generally
favored, to introduce the governors per
sonality in this way and assaii his mo-
tives.
The argument Of the Newport paper is
that the bill as framed. instead OF being
a regulative Measure. is in effect buttress
behind which this Bell Telephone COM
pany and any existing telephone or cleo
trio light companies can take refuge and
defy possible composition The Express
alleges that the trouble and expense Incl.
dent to the formation OF new corpora
tons, il this bill goes through, win be 50
great Is to keep them out Of the field and
leave the present concerns in clear posses.
sion. The necessity for their organiza.
ton to serve the public interest, the ex-
tent and nature Of their capital stock and
other details must be passed upon by ths
public service commission, and the Elk
press saws this means they win be headed
OF entirely. Further and more to the
point. it charges that this is the purpos'
OF the law, and that il is very cute .ricl
to fool the state into the idea that its in
terests are being protected, when. in fact
~. ,~~-,~n, l. &wr.a 81 ~, ,.--,.r- -. -
ing delivered to the bonds Of telephon,
and other monopolies. 1t says the Bel
people helped frame the Barber bill, and
: are quite pleased with it, for obvious rea
sons, but that the independent telephon
: companies were not allowed to even SCI
II. 1t alleges that the governor openl,
: lobbisd to gain the bill support; and
worst of all, intimates very broadly tina
, his interest in public service measure i
not in the interest Of the public so mucl
= Is of the Passumpsic Telephone compan,
u Ia Bell CONSTITUENCY and of the Newpor
+ Electric Light and Power company, o
! which he is a part owner. How Is this
q for cordial support from ones home pa
:. peri
, Now we don't believe word Of this
Governor Prouty is not that kind OF
n man. Nothing in his public career he
p given foundation for such charge. II
re is acting for the best interests of the stat
h in this, as in other matters, and the Las
k thing he has considered, we will guarar
Il tee, is how any blu Of prime importanc
Z win affect his pocket book. This is no,
> we sire mp Prouty. II the Newport En-
press knows him better; knows him to b
9, man capable Of 80 atrocious perversio
81 OF duty as it intimates, it should hav
y fought him to the death when he cam
De up last summer, instead of saying hor
eyed words of him, especially as to hi
% honesty and candor.
be 1t does not appear that the Barber BIZ
to puts more Of = handicap on embryo col