Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-10-29
DILLINGHAM; AND
PAGE TO SENATE
ELECTED FOR LONG AND SHORT
Terms ~ LEGISLATURE

Democrats Han Elisha May and v. A.
BulIard for Senatorships.--Zed S.
Stanton Chosen to Vacant judge
shIp.--only One Contest and but Two
Changes In State OFFICERS Elected
by Leolslsture.--Open Deer Season
Postponed BY Act and Proclamation
on Account OF Danger Of Forest Fires
--Lona List Of Important Bills Pre-
scented. OF Ladies' Week.
--Leelslative Notes OF Interest.
The features Of last weeks legislative
session were the election Of two United
States senators and Of various state
officers at joint assemblies, the festivities
OF Ladies' week, the passage Of an act un-
der which the approaching deer season
was suspended and the introduction Of
many bills OF importance.
At Monday afternoons session, 20 bills
were introduced in the House and six in
the Senate.
A bill introduced in the Senate by Sem
ator Gibson OF Windham provides that
the number OF supreme court judges shall
be five instead of four, as at present. The
bill recognizing the Judiciary passed by
the legislature OF 1906 provides that the
supreme court should consist of four
members. This has not always worked
well in practice because of the liability
OF q tie vote, in which case the judgment
OF the lower court is affirmed.
10000 FOR A SEMINARY. :
Senator Gibson also introduced a bill
establishing a modern course of agricul-
ture at Leland and Gray seminary. This
bill carries an appropriation of $40, 900
for the establishment and maintenance OF
this course, and 81 500 annually for five
years for an instructor.
The agitation two years ago over the
statement Of those in authority that the
constitution of Vermont is little known
or read in the public schools OF the state
led to the introduction by Senator Finn
of Windsor OF bill which provides for
the printing and free distribution Of this
constitution among the pupils in the pub
lie schools of the state.
A bill introduced in the House By Mr..
Davis OF Springfield provides q penalty
Of imprisonment ct hard labor for one
year or fine of $500 or both, for dock
ing the tail Of horse. Mr.. Stetson of
Enosburg introduced q measure amending
certain sections of the present railroad
law so that the railroads Of the state may
transport at reduced rates exhibits at ag-
ricultural fairs and students making ex-
hibits, and may also carry free fire COM
panies and their equipment.
FOR BAD ROAD COMMISSIONERS.
Mr.. Ripley of Poultney gets after some
OF the road commissioners of the state By
M . kok
sioner shall be eligible for reelection II
he shall contract debts in excess Of the
highway fund Of the town in which he
resides for the purpose s Of road building.
OF il be shall fail to complete work on
permanent roads so that it shall be ap-
proved by the state highway commission
or and thus allow the towns to draw their
proportion OF the state highway fund.
A bill introduced by Mr.. Davis OF
Springfield relieves the railroads Of the
state from taxation as corporate property
OF all tenement houses or blocks, water
powers, farms or timber lands owned BY
the railroads but not used in their opera
tion. This bill also provides that taxes
on such property shall not be included in
computing gross earnings.
II the bill introduced by Mr.. Sherman
OF Newfane becomes a law, the present
statute which compels owners Of land
abutting on highways to cut the trees,
brush and weeds in the highways adjoin-
ing their land will be repealed.
MORE PAY FOR SECRETARY.
For nearly a half century the salary Of
the secretary OF civil and military
affairs has been $3.50 for the biennial
term. The work Of this Office has in
creased greatly in recent years and the
present salary seems to be entirely made
quate. Mr.. Fish OF Vergennes intro
duced a bill making the salary Of that
official 1920 annually, with necessary
expenses, and also provides for the en-
ployment Of stenographer by the gov
ernor at an annual salary not to exceed
$500.
Towns that lie contiguous to other
towns where railway grade crossings
have been abolished or may be abolished
in future will be interested in the bill in
troduced by Mr.. Norris OF Cabot, which
provides that an assessment not to exceed
ten per cent OF the cost of the abolish
ment OF grade crossings may be assessed
upon such contiguous towns that are BEN
Gifted thereby.
Mr.. Barber OF Brattleboro introduced
two bills relating to the open season for
deer, one making the open season the last
six days In October and the first six days
in November, and the other providing
that land owners may kill wild deer OF
either sex on their own land three DAYS
before the open season, although they are
limited to one deer each and must report
the killing Of the same to the nearest
game warden.
AID ASKED FOR POOR TOWN.
The first bill for town aid from the
state came from Mr.. Wheeler of Jamaica.
This bill appropriates $500 for the town
of Jamaica to assist in the payment OF
its indebtedness, but has the string at.
tached to It that the state appropriation
shall not be available until that town has
voted and raised tax sufficient, with the
state aid, to wipe out all its indebtedness
and allow It to start in with clean slate
An employers liability bill presented
by Mr.. Williams Of Newport restricts its
provisions to corporations.
Mr.. Wider Of Waitsfield had bill fol
the election Of one new lister only eacf
year.
A bill by Mr.. Wheeler Of South Bur
lington provides for annual county meet
ings Of listers for instruction by the stat