The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-11-22
The Legislature Thus Far

The legislature viii adjourn this
morning for recess Of nine days
over the Thanksgiving holiday While
II has not made an ideal record, while
II has done some things it ought not
to have done, and has left undone
some things it ought to have done,
its work must be judged in the know
ledge of the fact that Vermont is not
Utopia, and that ideal perfection has
not yet been attained. 1t is only just
to say that thus far the legislature OF
1910 has been more diligent and has
done better work than the average
law-making body of our state. The
governor, also has reason for salts
faction with the record of his admin
istraton to date. of course 1t is
impossible to please everybody but
the attitude of the great majority OF
Vermonters thus far is very cordial.
The criticism that applies most
strongly to this legislature probably
applies to nearly every session OF the
General Assemb y, and that is the
disposition to Judge questions Of pub
lie policy from a narrow and restrict
ed point of view rather than from the
larger view point of the welfare of
the whole state Prejudice and sus-
picion play too large a part in deter
mining the course Of action.
Another criticism is the tendency
/ on. slight provocation to order bills
to lie, thus delaying action and pro-
longing the session.
The newspaper sometimes is charg-
ed with an attempt to dictate the pol
icy of legislation This is not true.
Newspapers do attempt by force Of
argument to influence legislators to
follow certain lines of policy but that
is all they seek to do or, indeed can
do. It is exceedingly difficult for the
individual members of the Republican
party for instance, to get in touch
with representatives and senators to
any considerable extent The Repub-
lican newspaper can get in touch with
them and when the newspaper seeks
to remind Republican members Of the
question of honor involved in keeping
Republican party pledges, 1t Is per-
forming a legitimate function as well
as plain duty.
AS the Journal has said before the
Republican party can keep its pledges
only by means of the loyalty of Re
publican Senators and Representa-
tives.
There are certain party pledges
, that have been made that are In the
hands of the members Of the legisla
ture. They ought to feel the respon
sibility of their position They as
: sumo a good deal Of responsibility
who permit personal and local pre-
JUDGES TO outweigh the party declar
alton. Public opinion is in an unusu
ally fluctuating condition. Part,
lines are rather loosely drawn. BE
cause Vermont has been a Republican
state since there was a Republican
party it does not follow that thi
state OF affairs will continue indef
nitely With the growth OF indus
trial enterprises the labor vote
; steadily increasing II is not goo
politics to antagonize this vote, pa
, ticularly when they have right an
justice on their side, RepublicanisI
, must mean something more than
; means OF obtaining an office. Fc
,, that reason there should be no della
! after the recess in passing bona fid
: trustee process and employers Iii
!, bility acts.
The attitude OF the legislature 3
! ward educational affairs thus far hi
: been wise and progressive and the 4
4 dications point TO session that sha
be notable for advanced legislation
- this respect.
Already the legislature has dor
VI work that gives the people OF Il
state additional reasons for thank
giving. The members have II in the
power to give additional reasons (,
thankfulness.-M Montpelier Journal