Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1912-11-13
LEGISLATURE KEEPS BUSY
Effort Now Being Made to Hustle Things
Along. A Number Of Bills Passed
and Signed by Governor.


Governor Fletcher has signed num-
Der OF bills that have passed both
branches. Besides the trustee process
bill mentioned last week as being
signed, is an act providing for the safe
keeping Of wills and a number of un-
important bills.
House bill No. 100, amending the
charter of the village of Orleans, was
brought out from the committee but
was recommitted for further hearing. |
Mr. Wright of Westminster, acting for
Mr.. Robinson of Westmore, asked to !
have the bill sent back and it is likely |
that some opposition may develop to
this bill, which asks the right to take
water from Willoughby lake for vii
lage purposes. The opposition arises
from those towns which fear the guam
tity Of water taken will lower the lake
and affect the flow of Willoughby riv-
er, the outlet of Willoughby lake, and
iniure power users and others located
on this river in the towns of Westmore
and Bloomington. Orleans needs ad-
ditional water supply and looks upon
Willoughby lake as the most available
supply but does not think the quantity
needed will make any difference with
the lake and its outlet. Mr.. Locke Of
Barton presented the bill and made no
objection to its recommittal for furth-
er hearing.
The commission consist 'ng Of Horace
w. Bailey, W. J. Van Patten and NJ. J.
Hapgood appointed two years ago to
report on suitable memorial to Dan
iel P. Thompson, author of 1.-The
Green Mountain Boys" and other
works, recommend a bronze tablet,
properly inscribed, to be placed under
his picture in the state house, at the
expense of the state, not to exceed $500.
On Thursday Gov. Fletcher submit
| ted the following message for the con-
sideration of the legislature:
I'm view of conditions which now
exist in the general railroad world, |
desire to suggest for your serious
consideration a radical change in the
states present method OF taxing the
railroad corporations.
"Under the existing law, the rail-
roads are taxed, first upon an appraise-
ment made by the tax commissioner at
a rate of one and one quarter per cent
of the appraised value, or, in lieu there
OF, the option is given them to pay two
! and One-half per cent on their gross re-
ceipts.
''At present nearly all of the rail
roads of the state exercise the option
of paying a tax based on the gross
receipts. Therefore, for the state to
know that the spirit of the law is
strictly adhered to, it will become
necessary to employ a competent ac-
countant with a large force to review
practically every rate made by the
railroads in, this state. This would
seem to be very expensive and in many
respects not to be desired.
After a thorough investigation of
this subject, | am convinced, as mat
ter of state policy, that it would be
better to repeal the gross receipts
clause of the present law, and l earn
estly recommend that it be done''
Mr.. Robbins of Newport has intro
duced bill relating to the record Of
the abatement of taxes and bill re-
lating to accounts kept by town treas
urer. They shall issue receipts in
duplicate to be sent to town auditor,
who shall register same.
Mr.. Parker of Troy has introduced a
bill asking to have the school year Of
the North Troy graded school district
changed and the official year begin
July l. Mr.. Flint of Bloomington has
introduced an act to enable the
trustees of Orleans county gramm ar
school to convey certain property.
A resolution has been introduced
placing the members of the Legislature
on salary instead Of paying them a
per diem and the salary suggested is
$500.
Senator Davis has introduced a bill
in the senate amending the charter of
West Glover incorporated village and a
bill relating to bank commissioner and
prescribing his duties. He shall ex-
anime and verify deposit books every
five years and once in four years, in
his discretion, may examine bank in
vestments outside the state.
Mr.. Colburn of Milton has introduced
direct primary bill. The bill is a
long one and the Monitor only gives
the most vital parts Its provisions
are to apply to candidates to be voted
for as representatives to Congress,
conventions.
A primary is to be held in each towr
on the third Tuesday in July. 1914, anc
bi-ennially. Declarations of candidacy
are to be filed with the secretary OF
state, accompanied by fling fee
not more than so nor less than 20 days
' prior to such primary. Fees are fixed
r as follows: For governor, $1O0; fol
any other state officer or representa-
tive to Congress, $50. A plurality
= vote is to control and in a case of {
0 tie of two or more candidates for {
r state Office or congressman, the state
: convention of the party to which sucI
candidates belong shall choose one Of
said candidates for the position. Va
cancies upon party tickets occurrint
after the primary are t. be filled b.
the state convention. IF vacancy oc
e ours after convention, the state com
mittee Of the party shall elect
The provisions Of this act shall b
literally construed SO that the rea
will Of the voters shall not be defeat
k ed. The act is to take effect July l
J. 1913; provided that if a majority 0
the ballots to be east shall be no. the
it shall take effect March /. 1915, bu
: as to sections q. p and q, it is t