The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-21
Some Legislative Needs

In a recent editorial In the Rut-
land Herald, under the caption,
Some Legislative Needs It is sug-
gested that:
"The State OF Wisconsin for some
years has had the benefit OF state
bureau OF legislative reference whose
function it is, through a Librarian
and aids to collect all the informa-
ton possible in regard to pending
legislation this includes copies OF
similar legislation in other states,
speeches and important articles, pro
and con. and much other matter bear
ing on the effect, importance and
necessity OF the legislation. This
bureau also assists in drafting new
laws and acts as a sort Of permanent
committee on revision All ques-
tons OF classification OF the statutes
are determined by the bureau. Thus
Wisconsin alone Of all the states has
now scientifically classified body OF
"the written law"
While IL is true that Wisconsin
probably has the most scientifically
conducted legislative reference bur.
eau and possibly the most scientin-
cally classified body of the written
law, 1t is also true that for several
years Vermont through and by rea-
son OF the initiative of the state Ii.
brarian and his assistant has main
tanned a similar but not officially re-
cognized reference bureau in connec-
ton with the state library at Mont.
peler. This bureau was officially re-
cognized and permanently establish.
ed at the last session OF the legisla-
ture by Act No 3. entitled, IAN Act
TO Establish a Legislative Reference
Bureau in the State Library" by vir.
tue of which act the state librarian
is authorized to establish in the state
library a legislative reference bureau
which shall collect. arrange, and
place on file books, pamphlets and
other materials, relating to legisla-
ton, shall prepare abstracts OF laws
In other states and present such
other Information as may be useful
and necessary to the general assem-.
bly, in the performance OF It's legis.
lative duties.
There is similar bureau maintain
ed in the state library OF Connecticut
Connecticut goes one step further,
even, and furnishes official steno.
graphers for committee hearings: the
evidence adduoed at hearings is
transcribed and bound volumes there
OF deposited In the library, where
every citizen may have access there.
TO- IL is interesting to study such
volumes In the light OF the result OF
the hearings and changed conditions
between sessions OF legislatures and
, the inexperienced legislator has an
opportunity to post up in advance
and a chance TO know what the adyo
Gates and opponents OF certain meas
ures claimed at previous sessions
But what Vermont needs more than
anything else, and what other states
have, In order to expedite the work
OF It's Legislature is more rooms for
it's committees. The present situa
ton Is deplorable. Il makes IL i'm
possible for the several committees
to do their work as they should Each
session secs more and more work for
every important committee, and the
rooms and other facilities for des
patching the work with regularity
and business like method are not to
be had. Instead Of talking about re.
modelling the capitol at enormous ex.
pense, why not talk about enlargins
the annex where the Office OF the
speaker and clerk are now located
10 make sufficient rooms for the com
mlttees.-Northneld News.