Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-10-29
Strenuous Festivities Of the Week,
However, Too Much for
Legislators.
ONLY 13 ABSENT ON ROLL CALL
Nine Representatives Away without
Leave-17 Bills Introduced in the
House-A Bump for the Board
of Agriculture among the
New Measures.

Montpelier, Oct. 23-The Legislature
made a brave attempt to-day to DO q
little work but the strenuous festivities
OF the past few days had put wire
edge on almost every one, the committees
aid not seem inclined to work. and an
over Sunday adjournment for a week
end rest seemed the only thing in sight.
After brief session and the Introduction
OF II bills the House adjourned until two
o'clock Monday afternoon. The Senate
went in this afternoon and AFTER q Ave
minute session also adjourned until Mon
day afternoon.
The roll call OF the House this morn
ing showed 10 members absent. Speaker
Cheney was obliged to be in Rutland this
afternoon to appear in a chancery hear
ing. and Mr.. Howard Of Georgia, Mr..
Miller OF Bethel and Mr. Woodman OF
Waltham had been excused TO go to
their homes because of the death or sick
ness of the inmates. Those absent without
leave were: Mr.. Allen OF Panton. Mr..
Becker of Glastonbury Mr.. Croft of Berk-
shire. Mr.. FELTON, Of Hiehgate. Mr.. Hill
of Mt. Holly Mr.. Kendall of Weathers-
field. Mr.. Kinslev OF Rutland, Mr.. Wood
man Of Waltham and Mr.. Murphy CT
orwell
BILL REGARDING OFFSETS.
Senator Gibson Of Windham introduced
n bill In the Senate this morning which
was referred to the special committee on
double taxation and which confines right
Of offsets t. debts owing without the
State or to foreign corporations.
A joint resolution was introduced IN
the Senate by Senator Orvis which pro-
vidos for the printing Of such additional
copies of the Senate and House bills as
may be required for distribution to citi-
gems Of the State or persons Interested
in pending legislation. The number of
bills printed thus far have been Just
enough TO supply the members OF the
Legislature and state officers, and any
one desiring one or more extra copies
has some times been una Bile to get them.
The cos%of printing these additional cop
les is very small. and it IS believed that
any citizen of the State who Is Interested
in bill before the Legislature should
have the privilege of a printed copy.
wILLlsTON MANS MEASURE.
OF the II bills introduced In the House
this morning several were Of general In
terest. Mr.. TalCott of Williston intro
duced measure which provides that
when the railroad commissioners order a
grade crossing abolished they shall en-
ploy competent engineer to furnish
specifications of the probable cost OF the
work. and that the railroad commission
ers shall advertise for bids for doing the
work. giving the town or railroad inter
ested the privilege Of bidding on the job.
The bill introduced by Mr. Cook of
Dandy goes step farther than anything
yet before the Legislature relating to
the electng OF representatives to the
General Assembly. This bill provides
that representatives may be elected by
plurality on the first ballot.
The board OF agriculture gets its bumps
In the bill! introduced by Mr.. Hitchcock
Of Pittsford which abolishes tho board
creates commissioner of agriculture at
salary of $500 per year and appropriates
$500 annually for the use Of the COM
missioner, who under this bill, IA TO hold
his office for five years.
BILL FOR A NEW NORMAL.
| Mr. Martin OF Plainneld introduced a
bill which provides for the establishment
of a State normal and Industrial school
and appTopriates slo5.00) for It's construc-
ton and equipment. The committee on
appropriations has no rose strewn path
before IT, The appropriations already
called for IN bills introduced and what
will be imperatively needed for the sup
port of government for the biennial term
already total more than 10000 and the
end is not yet.
The bill introduced by Mr., Ieary OF
burlington increases the appropriation
for the University of Vermont and State
! Agricultural college to $4,000 and ap
propriates $1,000 for additional instruc
ton IN the medical department.