The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-10-04
TO
CONVEN Ne ON
WEDNESDAY
A Correspondents View Of
Situation at Montpelier
MANY EXPERIENCED MEN
More Than a Third Of the Senators
Have Previously Assembled Un-
der the GiIded Dome

The special correspondent of the
Springfield Republican writes as fol-
lows relative to the opening of the
legislature at Montpelier:
Although Gov-elect Mead is anx-
ious to make good his promise of a
the Legislature, which convenes on
Wednesday, finish its work prompt
ly and adjourn at an early date, there
is little prospect that it can be done.
There are as many important mat
tiers to come up as at any session in
recent years and many of these are
matters for the disposal of which
considerable time will be required.
An old fashioned adjournment in
time for Thanksgiving is not to be
thought of and it Is doubtful If the
work of the session can be completed
by Christmas, but 1t is hoped It will
not continue through January, as il
did two years ago.
There is no prospect of much delay
in organization. OF the candidates
for speaker of the House, f. e. Howe
of Bennington appears to be in the
lead. His only formidable opponent
Is III. s. Peck OF Burlington. Mr..
Peck has had one term of service in
the Senate and has been mayor of
his own city, besides serving in var
ious other semiofficial capacities. and
the Chittenden county members will
give him their votes. Howe, who is
the editor Of the Bennington Banner,
was one of the leading members Of
the House of 1908. and for dozen
years or so has sat at the press table
and watched the course Of Iegisla-
ton. so he is familiar with details as
we'll as informed in general way,
and Is looked upon as safe and desir-
able, though he has some advanced
ideas that may be looked upon with
suspicion. Others who may be UNI
der consideration are w. H. Rowland
OF Poultney. Justus Dartt of Spring
field and r. w. McCuen OF Vergen-
mes. It Is understood that Howe has
pledged two-thirds or more OF the
votes required to elect and the nat.
ural tendency to get on the winning
side, when no important question OF
difference. is involved. may reason
ably be expected to bring him
enough more to insure his easy cleo
tion.
More than onethird OF the sen
ators have had previous legislative
experience, which holds out pro
mise OF good work, and a consider
able number OF the representatives
have served In the upper or lower
house. Among the representative:
with previous legislative experience,
are Allen NJ Fletcher OF Cavendish
H. S. Peck Of Burlington, F. f. How,
OF Bennington. A. G. Stone Of Wall
ingford, Justus Dart of Springfield
w. ]. Boyce OF Waterbury, r. w. Nc
Cuen Of Vergennes, +. NJ. Corey o
Montpelier. Rev. J. Wesley Miller o
Bethel, j. r. Kennedy OF Williston
]. G.. Martin OF Brookline and Col
Joseph Battell OF Mlddlebury, Will,
Col. f. S. Billings OF Woodstock, II
b. Amey OF Brighton, DR.. w. n. Bry
ant Of Ludlow, Newman X. Chaffe
OF Rutland, George M. Wall OF Dorse
and c. A. Calderwood OF st. Johns
bury are known as men OF capacit
and experience in affairs.
First among the important mat
ters for consideration are the pre-
posals for amendment 10 the const
/ tuition made by a commission appoin
ed by Gov. Prouty under authority q
the Legislature Of 1908 and accep
ed In the platforms OF both partie
this year This acceptance. how
ever. relates TO substance and not {
form, and II may require some tim
to get them In acceptable shape.
is possible that all may not be adop
ed, but II Is strongly hoped that m
, method OF amending the constitutio
may be changed and made less Gun
bersome. AS matters now stan
l proposals OF amendment can be mad
I. by the Legislature only at 10.yea
l periods. The amendments suggeste
T TO this session must first be conslde
a ed by the Senate. II that body adopi
them by n two.thlrds majority IN
I House will thon have chance
consider thoh. Ii that body also ac
favornhlv the result will be that N
Q suggested amendments will be pr
J. posed &C. tho General Assembly
n 1912. II O. a'"~''v OF both hnus,
\ favors them at tina time they vii |
8 submitted to a direct vote Of The pc
e pie, and a majority OF uholr vote
y will finally adopt them.
g Among important matters ~ le
L islation that will confront the mei
e bers, the question OF taxation proml
|. ee to be most troublesome. Taxati,
reform Is demanded In the state NJ
has been for some years. but the IL
islature has confessed It's incomr
tency TO deal with the subject
a 1906 after having the matter und
consideration some weeks. the Leg
4, lature authorized the appointment
n commission 20 consider The who
- matter and report TO the Iegislatu
: OF 1908 Gov Proctor appointed
+. strong commission and IFS report "
"A thorough and well.consldered do,
~ ment But the Legislature Of ~
~ refused TO be guided by Il In "A
n way and declined even to authorize
tax commission 10 take charge of {
execution OF the present law. r
!. Quadrennial appraisal of real estg
"a was made this year, and IN m,
~ towns the valuation was raised. T
Vermont tax commission and