St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1912-10-23
DR.. ALDRICH SEATED
Not a Vote Against Him in the
House. More Important Bills
Introduced.


DR.. Aldrich of this town was al
lowed to take the oath and entel
on his duties as a member las
Wednesday. Speaking of this the
Free Press said:
The course of DR.. Aldrich in de
clining to pass judgment on the
merits of his own case has won much
good feeling for him. Had he takeI
the oath and engaged in the work OF
the session, it is probable that no
question would have been raised as
to his right to hold his seat, but he
preferred to have the House act in
the matter and have formal justifi-
cation for taking the oath. 1t is only
by very strict construction of the
constitution that the committee on
elections could have rendered a report
adverse to his right. since he is not a
regular appointee as pension exam
iner, but a substitute called in when
the regular examiner is unable to
attend to his duties, and DR.. AL
drich's total receipts from such SER
vices last year amounted to less than
$40.
The report of the committee fol-
lows:
To the House of Representatives
The committee on elections, to which
was referred the resolution, directing
it to investigate, ascertain and report
to the House whether Mr. Aldrich,
the returned member from st. Johns
bury, is disqualified under the pro-
visions of the Constitution of the
State from membership in this House
hU of ,, 10 h0T 81
of his election an Office of profit and
trust under the authority of Congress
respectfully report:
That they have considered the
same as directed, and have heard
witnesses and arguments in relation
to the case. 1t is the opinion of your
committee that Mr.. Aldrich did not at
the time of his election, and does not
now, hold any Office of profit or trust
under the authority of Congress in
the meaning intended by the Consti-
tuition of this state. It is the opinion
of your committee that the provision
of the vermont Constitution, debar-
ring from embership in the legis-
lature any citizen holding an Office
of profit and trust under the authori-
ty of Congress should be interpreted
as having reference only to Federal
officials and Office holders under the
Federal Government while required
to give major portion of their time
to the Federal Office, and that such
a provision does not apply to a citi-
zen, who at infrequent and uncertain
times may receive pay for some small
service which he may be called upon
to render.
1t is further the opinion of your
committee that, inasmuch as the
Constitution of the State of Vermont,
in Section 9 of Chapter IL, specifi-
cally states that the General Assem-
bly, of the State of Vermont shall
have the power to Judge of the
elections and qualifications of their
own MEMBERS" this House IS the
sole judge in this case and has the
right to interpret the Provisions of
the Constitution in this state.
Your committee, therefore, unan-
imously reports that in its opinion
Walter J. AIdrich is entitled to a seat
in this House as a representative
from st. Johnsbury; that he is not
debarred by the Provisions of the
State Constitution; and we recon-
mend that he be summoned to the
bar of the House to take and sub
scribe the oath.
EDWIN P. ADAMS,
Chairman
ALBERT L. HASKELL,
Clerk.
On being put to the House the vote
to seat Mr. Aldrich was unanimous
and the speaker designated Mr.. Ad-
ans of Marlboro, and Mr. Cook of
Lyndon, to conduct the member to
the bar of the House. The Commit
tee performed the duty consigned
them, and Walter J. Aldrich of ST.
took and subscribed the
oath required by the Constitution
and Laws of the State.
Many Important Bills
Mr.. Miller of Bethel has introduc-
ed an employers liability bill which
modifies comparative contributory
negligence. Jury shall not in their
first verdict in any given action, as
sess damages in excess of $4,000,
but subsequent verdiets shall not be
subject to that limitation.
Sen. Roy introduced bill that
will attract considerable attention.
It is senate bill 18 and provides for
vote at March meeting on state as
we'll as town license. If majority in
the state votes no license, no licenses
except those of the fifth class shall
be issued
Other bills by Sen. Roy are: S. IT,
relating to examination of pupils for
advanced instruction. (Repeals Sec.
of No. So acts Of 1900
Flat Rate for TntangibIes
Mr.. Comings of Richford has in
troduced bill 20 regulate the taxa
ton of personal property, and to es-
tablish a uniform fiat rate on GER
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