Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-12-08
He Is Sustained in Declaring That
Railroad Measure Is Un-
constitutional.
VOTE CAST WAS UNANIMOUS
Few Biils Observation-Disclosures
Disposes of Routine Work
Governor Talks to High
School Students.

Montpelier, Dec 5.-Whcr the House
convened this evening, the first half
hour was devoted to the introduction Of
new bills AT abstract of which may
I've found in the official report.
The Governor returned to the House
Without his approval House ill 3i2. IAN
act to provide for the asccrtairmcnt of
damages in the event of the change of
motive power by railroad corporations
and street railroad companies" for the
following reason:
"'rhe bin entitled H. 342. an act to pro-
vide for the ascertainment cf damages
~ the event of the change of motive
power by railroad corporation and street
railroad companies. seeks to delegate the
,i5ht of eminent domain to the railroads
operating under the provisions of this
bill. But the bill makes no pro, isions
for the asccrtainment to the exercise
nf such power. Further, the bill contains
10 provision for tho payment of damages
vnen the property rights are taken
Therefore, in my Judgment the bill is
H. violation of article two of the con-
situation Of the state of Vermont and
hence unconstitutional. | therefore res
pectfullY return this bill to tie House
Of Representatives without my sigma
ture."
Mr.. Amey of Brighton, who introduced
the bill, stated that in his opinion the
measure was unconstitutional The
House voted unanimously not to pass this
bill over the Governors veto, 159 being
present. This is the bin that was intro
duccd to save s. r. the bill that provides
for change of motive power on rail-
ways. now known as the bill to allow the
New York, New Haven & Hartford road
to run It's trains into Bennington.
Senate 70 met with so many objections
from the Governor that he refused to sign
ii Until it was agreed that the bill he has
now vetoed should be passed. Whether
this bill actually corrected the objections
raised by the Governor or whether 1t did
not contain all he supposed 1t would is
not known, at any rate S. 70 is safely a
law.
WORK OF THE SENATE
The Sepate held session of an hour
and a quarter this evening and disposed
of n .ot of routine business that cleared
the presidents desk. Twenty-three sena-
tors were present. Senator Norton of
Chittenden offered joint resolution pro-
vding for the appointment OF a commits
sion to consist of the Governor and two
other members to consider and report to
the next Legislature on the part the State
should take in the proposed semi-centen-
NAL of the battle OF Gettysburg in 1913.
Among the bills passed was the one CIV
ing the public service commission power
TO order the erection of a union station at
Burlington. John d. +Spelman of Rut-
land, who was one of Elroy kent's coun-
sci at his trial, is in Montpelier and will
.ndeaVor 10 get the opportunity to ad-
dress the House when Ken.s case comes
up again tomorrow morning.
Upon the invitation Of Principal Abbott
Governor Mead this afternoon visited the
high school here and gave n talk to the
students. me Governor and Major
1<nPrley, secretary of civil and military
affairs, We're met at the Pavilion by the
presidents of the four high school classes
and escorted in a carriage to the school.
IN his talk Governor Mead spoke of the
possibilities the future holds for every
young person, told them something OF
tie advantages Of an education on agri-
cultural lines and related his experience
in teaching school in Montpelier At that
time the Governor was a medical studen,
IN Burlington and was called to Mont
pelier by his uncle, who was then prin-
cpal of the school, and taught 1t for a
week while his uncle was absent
The Governor was met near the school
building by the famous school fife and
drum corps and when he reached the
school eleven hundred children gave hin
cheer after cheer. The class presidents
who escorted the Governor We're Masters
Harold Pape, Ryland Taisy, Henry Coltor
hud Henry Laird.
The status of business when the Hous,
met this evening was 222 bills in com
mittee and 60 on the clerks desk await
Ing action.