Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-12-24
HOWE OF ST. JoHNssuRY.

Lawyer Howe Of St. Johnsbury is prob.
ably the most feared member Of the YER
mont House. schemers and jobbers ana
gratters tremble when be rises to speak.
His personal appearance is striking
rather tall, with large bulldog head set
on broad, STOPPING shoulders; heavy
black hair, brushed back from a square
forehead, like a challenge to combat:
rather pallid face; determined mouth that
forms ell sorts Of geometrical figures ac-
cording to its owners state OF mind.
loose, stumbling gait-Howe OF St.
Johnsbury resembles nobody. yet instinc-
lively cOniures up the shade Of Black
Logan.
Howe Is Popalist corporation hat
er. breeder Of trouble for established in
terests. He has fnthsred and fought
through the House enough anti-railroad
bills this session to put most of those cor
porations in Vermont into receiyership
in the next two years. He judges the
temper Of the present House accurately
and molds it to his liking. He works
upon its suspicious and prejudices with
the cunning Of Danton. Indeed, seeing
m'operate, one harl<s back to the soirita
OF the French revelation for his proto-
type. Howe has done more good and
more harm together than any four mem
bers Of the present House, and there is no
sign that be is losing his grip yet.
To illustrate The so-caIIed valued in
surance bill came in Friday with an ad-
verse committee report. This is meas
ure that has been before every session in
recent years, and never has run the com
plete gauntlet. There are two sides. o.
course, but when all is fairly considered
no change in the law is thought best.
Now see Howe work. He innocentlv
arises and asks the introducer Of the bin
to state his case. This is done in timid.
battling way by the biIl's father, who is
evidently believer in it and speaks from
conviction.
Then Howe gets mp and inquiries IL it is
not fact that the adverse report comes
from committee made up Of a majority
Of insurance men. See the delicate in
situation. Also see the House sit ND and
take notice. Ha a cat in the meal. ehs
Let's look about.
OF course the committee was made up
as Howe suggests, and it has to be ad-
mitted. OF course every other COMMITTEES
is made up the same way-of specialists
along the particular line-evsn the Judi
eiary committee has a majority Of lawyers
on it--but the House doesn't see that. It
is easy to feel the change Of atmosphere
in moment. That simple question has
settled the fate OF the committees report.
II anything more were needed, it comes
with the long-winded defense Of the report
at the hands of Martin Of Brookline.
which sends Howe into mysteries of elee.
and the well-delivered argument OF Bar
Der Of Brattleboro in favor Of the bin. II
goes to third reading with a whoop. An
other swat for committee and another
scalp for the st. Johnsbury Indian.
1t. Johnsbury sent Howe, a Democrat,
to Montpelier BY big majority, though
i is q strong Republican town. Howe is
50 different from the pious. gentle, gag
elle-lilSe product OF public man that or
dinarily balls from that hamlet that she
must Lave been victim Of what physi-
eists call suto-intoxication when she did
It, Howe is as foreign to the atmosphere
Of ethereal st. Johnsbury as a lost soul at
the portals Of heaven. However, Howe
is interesting-an da1gerous-thersfors
happy.