Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1908-12-23

an appropriation OF $40. OOO- to fix up |
Onel Of, the present schools Others
have in view a more elaborate school |
building which shall be in keeping
with schools of other states and they |
think AM appropriation of $40, 900 at |
this time will delay for a long time |
any further action toward one central |
railroads although at first not supposed |
to be very serious measure has |
assumed proportions which make it a |
serious matter for the. railroads of the |
state. Mr.. Howe of st. Johnsbury |
introduced bill providing that rail-
roads should pay a, tax OF $3.50 on
each $1,000 of their appraisal. The
bill was reported adversely by the
committee on railroads, but Mr.. Howe
carried the fight on to the floor Of the
house and showed UP that the average
tax rate in the state is about $l6 on
$1,000 and that heretofore the RAILROADS
are only paying about $500. 1t being
generally understood that railroads
are good paying properties he did not
see why they should not pay at least
three-fourths as much tax as the farm
er, merchant and manufacturer.
The house heard strong arguments on
both sides and passed the bill by an
overwhelming majority of more than
four to one.
On Thursday a committee was ap-
pointed to take an account of stock
and see what prospects there were
for final adjournment before Christ
mas. This committee soon reported
there was no possibility of doing good
work and adjourning before the holi-
day. Thereupon it was decided to take
q vacation Of two weeks. When the
legislature adjourned Saturday morn
ing it was to reconvene again on Mon
day evening, Jan. d. This vacation
will do the members much good. There
is no doubt that many OF the farmers
need a rest and chance to stretch
themselves. 1t is no joke to sit at a
desk even five hours day and listen to
the dry oratory which must necessarily
accompany many of the measures
which are about to become law 1t
is a fact that many of the members
must attend committee meetings until
late at night and when they finally get
a chance to get to bed they are as
| tfrnI f4a. lorr~ how'd davis
upon the farm.
Legislative Notes.
The developments of the past week
leave no room to doubt that Harland
B. Howe of St. Johnsbury is the floor
manager of the house of representa-
tives. Not another member of the
house conld have secured the passage
OF so many bills against adverse re-
ports from the committees. An ad-
verse report means nothing to Howe.
If he believes the bill ought to be
killed or passed he takes hand in the
fray and nearly always comes out at
the head of a handsome majority.
There are two kinds of influential
MEMBERSHIP speaking member and
the silent member. The silent mem
Der never gets his just share of the
credit because he is not publicly pro-
claimed and his coming is not an
nounced. He does his work in the com.
mittee room and his influence is deter
mined wholly by his business ability and
the judgment with which he acts. G.
A. Drew Of Barton is silent men,
Der who on more than one occasion has
impressed his fellow committee men
by his keen insight into the affairs of
the state. His judgment is often
sought by the leaders of the house.
He is close tothe governor and is often
called into the speakers Office.
Mr.. Urew's ability and fearlessness
were known early in the session and
he was placed upon two Of the most
important committees.
Allyn of Charleston got in some
good work against the bill to compel
the teaching of temperance in public
schools. The discussion was proceed
ing with vigor when Mr.. Allyn arose
and stated that he believed the bill
was not drawn in the interest of tenn
perance but in the interests of GER
tain school book publishing concern in
Boston. He then showed that the
proposed course Of study would result
in book order of $13, 600. The bill
was promptly killed. The joke is on
Allyn to some extent. 1t soon APP
peared that very fair looking young
lady had been lobbying for this bill for
several days and that she was only
waiting to take the order for the new
books. After Allyn had killed the bill
she sent note to him asking him to
meet her in the reception room. He
went. He said the reception he got
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