Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-02-20
Hoped and Believed Session Wild
Be Ended Saturday-Senate
Works at Night.
BABBITT P. S. COMMISSIONER
Governor Also Names Board Of
Education-Tax Bill Signed
Popular Election of
Senators Ratified,

Montpelier, Fob. le.-As the traveller oiH
an ocean voyage crowds toward the bow
OF the vessel and hangs over the rail,
straining his eyes for the first sight OF
land. or waits with listening ears for tho
hail Of the lookout, 'land-ho," SO ths
members Of the Legislature are waiting
for the presentation and adoption of the
formal resolution for final adjournment.
1t is hoped and believed that the session
will he ended Saturday morning. the ac-
tual business being disposed of Friday
night,
The Senate Tonight held its first even
ing session, with the exception of the
regular Monday night sessions. and dis
posed of an amount OF business that
would have consumed half a day under
ordinary circumstances.
Mr. johnson, for the committee on final
adjournment, presented resolution
which provides for final adjournment at
three o'clock Friday afternoon This will,
in the general expectation OF the senator's
be reconsidered and amended to make
the time Of adjournment Saturday morn
ing.
Such progress as was made by the Sell
ate this morning would not Indicate such
early completion of business. There were
three special orders for the morning ses-
sion, but not one of them was disposed
Of The first matter taken up was House
bill 563 relating to the regulation of trade
and the inspection of weights and meas
ures. Some criticism. in O. friendly spirit.
was made by Mr.. Babbitt In regard to the
expenditures of the department. The
bill calls for an appropriation Of 5000 for
the maintenance OF the department. The
committee proposed an amendment maxi
ing the appropriation $4,000 and Mr..
Wallis moved an amendment to the
amendment making the amount $1,000
HENRY BEFORE THE SENATE.
ON motion of Mr.. Dale the Senate re-
solved itself into a committee OF this
whole. that Mr. Henry, the commissioners
OF weights and measures, might DC
brought before it to explain the matterr
Of criticism. An attempt was made Il
have this made an executive session,
but the motion was defeated and Mr..
Henry appeared before the committee iE
open session. He explained. in reference
to the expenses of his department. that
there had been an expense OF sL45 for
Pullman fares; that this resulted in .
saving to the State Of a half days work
Of the inspectors and was an actual
personal expense to the inspectors
In regard to the employment OF a
driver by some inspectors he explained
| that the extra expense was only nfty
cents day and that the driver could
be Of assistance IN harding the appara-
tus the inspectors were obliged to carry.
and that in some instances tho livery
men had refused to allow their teams
to be taken out unless accompanied by 4
driver. He showed that tho expense OF
the inspectors averaged so per week.
while many commercial travellers with
| whom he had discussed the matter and
| who carried less luggage had expenees
OF s25 per week. He quoted the commit
soner o, weights and measures Of Mas
| sachusetts to the effect that tho Vermont
department was the most efficient in the
| United Stetea .u" he cost incurred.
| Replying Question he said that no
inspection - cen made OF creameries
| because t- was too great. II thai
were 30 appropriation OF Sis. .0N
pei Yea required, and without
that, 1o continue the work OF
the drr. $1,000 would be needed
Mr. Watts IN the afternoon propos ea
an amendment making the appro-
priation $4,000 ana explained the
need OF an inspection OF the weights
used In creameries, which was adopt-
cd, He offered further am ndmsnt
making the commissioner elective in.
stead OF sppointive which way adopt {.
cd and the bill was then passed.
APPOINTMENTS BY GOVERNOR.
The Governor sent a list Of appoint.
ments to the Senate. which were i'm.
mediately confirmed, George II
Babbitt Of Rockingham takes the place
on the public service commission
made vacant by the resignation OF s
Hollster Jackson of Barre. The ap,
pointments on the board of education
are J. NJ. Thomas Of Auddlebury. Guy
Potter Benton of Burlington, II n
Ryder OF Rockingham. F, 5, Billing,
OF Woodstock and f. II. Brooks OF st
Johnsbury
The senate mas sent TO the Hous,
q caucus regulation bill $, s5. with ,
referendum attached, and though tn,
House has killed the primary bills 4
has had under consideration, Il ma,
accept this, The bill as amended 1,
really "A direct primary bill wherea.
the bill killed yesterday was only Z
preferential primary.
The House has rescinded it's action il
regard to new state building and in
sists on its amendment striking out tn,
referendum provision, \ committee O
conference has been appointed, cousistinI
of Senators Babhtt, Darling of Orans,
and Batchclder, The two latter were mem
bers of the committee which reported tn
building bill There has been chang
Of opinion on the part of some member
OF the House and as there was an advc"s
vote of only 50 It is quite possible th.t ,
House may recede from its position
authorize the erection of a building
The Senate has ordered TO third read
ing the bill relating to the crimina
L