The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-10-09
THE LEGISLATURE.
Messages Of Retiring and Incoming
CSOvernOrS

The l30th session of the Vermont legis-
lature convened in Montpelier Wednes-
day morning a large number of promi-
nent men in addition to the lawmakers
themselves being present at the opening
exercises. In the house Thomas C. Cheney
of Morristown was unanimously chosen
speaker, the nomination being made by
,Iosenh A: DeBoer of Montpelier. Charles
A. Plumley of Northfeld was chosen
Harry 4. Black of Newport and Julius
A. Wilcox of Ludlow. Edward A. Mutt
of Montpelier and John G. Norton of st.
Albans were chosen reporters. The only
contest was over the choice of house chap
lain. which was decided on the second
ballot by the election of Rev. A. J. Hough
of Montpelier, formerly pastor of the
Methodist church in Brattleboro. The
senate held brief session. electing Ernest
w. Gibson of Brattleboro president pro
tenn on motion of .shis colleague. DR..
NJ. W. Farnam of Westfeld was chosen
chaplain without opposition, Homer L.
Skeels was elected secretary, Guy W.
Page of Burlington was appointed assist
ant secretary and G. V. Poulin of Rut- |
land reporter. Mrs. L. X. Fuller of Brat
tleboro was one of the receiving party at |
the governors reception which took place
Wednesday evening.
Yesterday the legislature devoted its
entire time to hearing the retiring mes
sage of Gov. Fletcher D. Proctor and the
message of the former was full of pro-
nounced ideas and important recommend
ations Gov. Proctor recommended the
Of the court Of claims. the
of the board of agriculture
and in its place a single commissioner
the abolishment of the governors staff
on its present basis. less reimbursement
by the state for cattle killed on account
of tuberculosis. the abolishment of the
state fish hatchery at Roxbury and the
abolishment of county school examiners.
Gov Proctor placed himself on record as
in favor of a forestry commissioner and
2 more definite and liberal forestry pol
icy, better accommodations for the care
If criminal insane. more money for state
highways and better supervision of their
by the state, no changes in
he railroad commission law. the contin-
lation of the office of printing commits
'ioner a reduction in the number of
schools necessary to form district for
axpert supervision from 30 to 25. Per- :
laps the most important and radical rec
of the retiring governor re-
ates to change in the liquor law. He !
believes that all money taken from license |
ees should be turned over to the state
md the granting of licenses should be .
,laced in the hands of board of three J.
men to be appointed by the governor.
Gov. Prouty's message takes up first !
he tax question and recommends the alb
lition of offsets as the only practical :
emedy. As to the matter of the judiciary 4
ystem Gov. Prouty believes a return i
o the referee and master in chancery :
ystem would be cheaper than the pres l
mt system. He favors putting the tele- {
hone and other public service corpora
ions under supervision similar to that
o which the railroads are now subjected =.
nd thinks this could well be done by !
the powers of the present rail
Dad commission; he believes in estab-
shing a separate insurance department
nd the collection and circulation out
ide the state of facts regarding the r,
tate's scenic attractions and natural re- v
ources. d