Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-01-07

tors 20 40 ms DIodlnB.
PROuTY ON THE LEGISLATURE.
Governor Prouty has taken up the cud-
gels in defence Of the present Iegisla-
ture. Ata business mems meeting at
Newport last week, ct which be was
called in to discuss the public utilities
measure, the governor handed 8 few
warm ones to those editors and others
who have criticised the general assembly,
and also defended the body in . way that
ought to increase bis popularity and
strength among the members. A des-
patch gives the following abstract Of his
remarks:-
Gov. q. II. Prouty gave before the
Mems club at Newport Tuesday evening
an address which il Of general Interest in
that it refers to the legislature and mat
ters now pending in that body. He
doubted II very many knew about things
happening in the legislature expect
through the newspapers. He referred to
sarcastic editorials BY three state papers
calling the Legislators q collection OF
'sslant-eyed hayseeds." Mr.. Prouty said
that il they were, it was the most intelli-
gent legislature that had met for some
time and showed it in refusing to b. led
by any set OF leaders. While the last
legislature accomplished a large amount
OF work, not one Law passed affected any
body's pockethook.
Referring to lobbying, be stated that
the biggest piece OF lobbying was done
when the grade crossing bill Was passed.
In calling attention to the public utili-
ties bill, the governor said that be had
done what he could for the bill because
he thought it was right and thought it
would be passed with amendments. The
bill. he said, was along the same lines OF
the railroad commission bill and that
commission has shown what il can do By
proper supervision. This comm issicn
has met the railroads and shown them
that It means 10 treat them fair and has
thus gained their confidence. Why cam.
not we correct other utilities in the came
way Is 4 viii be the same commission
who viii have the matter in charge
The governor referred to his platform
before the convention and his speech Of
acceptance and also the platform Of the
party IN which the plank of supervision
OF public corporations was included and
" or any way try and carry il out"
He stated that be did not have ANYTHING
TO do with drawing the bill and did not
see i until Mr.. Barber showed il to him
and asked him for his opinion. He told
Mr.. Barber that he did not feel compe-
tent to say " neither it was good bill or a
bad one and asked for copy which he
sent to Mr.. Redmond. asking his opinion
and received Mr.. Redmond's criticism.
He then called Mr.. Redmond to Mont
pelier and had a consultation with 4
Messrs. Barber, Redmond, Williams and
Gibson, which resulted ia the bill az Il
was originally presented.
The bill he said was not TOR the par
pose Of driving out q telephone company
but to regulate IL. Take for instance a I
town with two companies. Would il not /
be better to have only one at q reasonable 4
rate than to have TO pay for. two?
Mr.. Prouty made complaint TO the teIe- I
graph company ct the service they were
giving ct Newport and was told that no
changs would be made. This he said I
ought 10 be regulated.
Mr. Prouty threw q little light on the 4
fact that the New England Telephone
company was not opposing the bill By 4
saying that he told the president Of the I
company in Boston not to send Mr..
stickney up to the capitol to fight the I
measure as they would have to accept ii
anyway and It would be better to do 50 /
gracefully than under pressure. And he
received the as urance OF the president as
well as other officers that they were not
opposed to fair supervision. Mr.. Prouty
said that the charge that the bill was
drawn up at 101 Mix street, Boston. was
an absolute falsehood.
Mr.. Prouty answered many questions
az tne close OF bis address which gave
great deal Of light on the subject. Dur
ing this part OF the evening he paid .
high tribute to Commissioner Redmond
and his fellow commissioners.