Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-01-28

form IN the luQ1c1arY two years ago
which was then advocated as an economi-
cal measure had not proved such, al
though il may have been good thing for
the state. Now the referee system has
been restored bY the present legislature
and the annual salary Of the supreme
court judges has been raised from sS, 600
to $4,000. Mr.. Miller said bill Is now
pending which provides that in case of
non-concurrence superior court judge
may be called to the supreme bench and
he thought the supreme court ought to
be satisfied with " bat the present legisla-
ture has done for them. Mr.. Batchelier
Of Townshend insinuated that the bill
was introduced because somebody wants
job.
Mr.. Leary OF Burlington asked the
House to consider the bill, not frUm the
lawyers standpoint, but from the stand
point OF the people, for the benefit Of
whom the supreme court was created. He
called attention to the unfairness OF tie
in supreme court and having the judg-
ment OF a lower court affirmed. Mr..
Leary thought the increasing business OF
the state demands a proper legal machin-
cry.
NOT TO MAKE AN OFFICE
Mr.. Daniels Of East Montpelier denied
that the bill was designed TO create an
Office for someone. It is In the interests
OF the people and not OF any one man.
He said the legislature Of 1906 made
mistake in creating a supreme court Of
four judges; it is up to the legislature Of
/ 1908 to rectify that mistake.
Mr.. Martin Of Brookline said there was
= full understanding early in the session
I that II the salaries Of the judges of the
supreme and superior courts were raised,
they would not ask for anything more
this year. He called attention to the in
crease in the court expenses that will be
caused by the municipal courts that have
been created by the present legislature.
and argued that this would relieve the SUI
preme and superior courts of much of
! their work.
Mr.. Howe OF St. Johnsbury said he
could get along all right with four SUI
preme court judges because be is general
I IL wrong and be could convince four
/ judges easier than he could five. He said
the increased expense OF the judiciary
during the past two years is due to the
fact that the dockets OF the courts were
over-crowded and long terms have been
needed to clean them up. Mr.. Howe
maintained that the supreme court as at
present constituted IL overworked.
Mr.. Fletcher Of Cavendish thought the
state had survived for the past two years
with four judges and could get along for
awhile longer on that basis. He was OPP
posed to the bill.
The earnest arguments Of Mr. Howe
and Mr.. Leary turned the House and the
/ bill was passed with few dissenting votes.
The House discussed Friday the amend
ment to S. 159. which relates to the taxa
ton Of railroads. The amendment was
{ proposed by Mr.. Davis of Springfield and
provides that railroads shall not include
in their gross earnings any income de-
rived from property owned by railroads
in towns or cities when the property il
not used for railroad purposes. The
amendment was adopted and the bin was
passed in concurrence.
i ADJOURNMENT POSTPONED.
All hope of reaching final adjourn
ment Saturday having been abandoned, the
Senate Friday sent to the House joint
resolution providing for final adjourn
ment Tuesday morning. Jan. 20. This
is, however, BY no means a certainty. II
will depend largely on the action taken
by the Senate on the taxation bill and Is
to What the House will do with the SEN
school building at johnson. that the
state shall appropriate SEQ, 900 to erect a
central normal school under the supervi-
sion of q commission to be appointed BY
the governor. The House laid on the Ia
bic the joint resolution providing for
final adjournment Tuesday morning.
The Senate bill appropristing IS,
for the installation of q system OF fire
protection for the Brattieboro retreat was
in jeopardy in the House for awhile.
The bill had passed both houses but was
recalled from the Senate TO propose an
amendment which provides that should
the institution cease to exist the state
would have lien on the real estate to
the amount Of the appropriation.
The whole subject of the value to the
state OF this institution was opened up
and discussed. Remarks at the psyche
logical moment by Mr.. Williams OF New
port, Mr.. Barber OF Brattleboro and
Speaker Cheney secured the passage of
the bill with the proposal Of amendment.
UP GOES ANOTHER SALARY.
Another warm debate in the House was
on the bill increasing the salary of the
state fish and game commissioner from
81, 900 to q, 500 and giving him addi-
tional clerical assistance.
Mr.. Martin Of Brookline objected to
raising any more salaries. Mr.. Fish of
Vergennes spoke of the increased work
that has come upon this official and fav-
ored the bill. Mr.. Batchelder Of Town
shend thought 81, 600 was all Mr.. Thomas
earns and all he is wcrth.
! Mr.. Davis Of Springfield opposed the
! bill because it is turning the state into a
fish and game preserve instead Of an agri-
cultural state. Mr.. Sowies Of Alburgh
thought if the present commissioner is
! not satisfied With bis salary be ought to
! resign and that the governor can find 9
! good man to take his place at $1,000 per
! year.
An amendment proposed by Mr.. LockIin
Of Richford making the salary 81, 200 was
! rejected. Mr.. Goodell OF Nottingham
! said the present legislature has raised the
, salary Of nearly every state Official and
that be would make no exception in thin
case and should vote for the bill. The
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