Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1913-02-12
APPOINTMENTS MAKE TALK
End of the Vermont Legislative Session
Not Yet in Sight Taxation Measure
Not Settled.

Things are jogging along just about
'so-so" at Montpelier. The committee
on final adjournment has made no rec
concentrations yet and the tax meas
ure, which will necessarily take long
time to settle, has not yet reached any.
thing like definite shape. March meet
ing is less than three weeks away and
following that we keep an eye out for
sugaring so the chances are there will
be little lost time this winter by our
legislative solonS.
The appointment of C. D. Watson
of St. Albans as chairman of the
public service commission by Gov.
Fletcher in place of J. w. Redmond Of
Newport has set the tongues of vari-
GUS political factions to wagging.
Some say it is dirty piece of politics
and designed to rid the democratic
party OF it's most formidable candidate
for governor in two years. Others
say it is not giving capable republicans
square deal and still others believe
Gov. Fletcher has shown excellent
sense in not confining his appointments
to party lines. Many think he has
made a great mistake in not reapp0int-
ing Redmond. Considerable comment
is also heard about other appointments.
The net result of the work of the
general assembly last week was not
very large.
One of the measures of general in
terest sup. for discussion was the bill
calling for an appropriation of
$500. 600 for an addition TO the state
house or rather the erection of a new
building to provide more room for
committees, the state library and
other departments in need of more
room. It was stated in the course Of
the argument that many public docu-
| ments were in danger. the library was
congested and that the lack of
committee room had prolonged the
present session three weeks. The bill
| has been passed to a third reading.
, An effort will be made to submit the
question to the voters at Ethe coming
M arch meetings in what would be a
referendum vote.
| The bill for the support of govern
ment carries S1O0, 600 for the contin-
gent expenses of the present General
Assembly $17O, 600 for the expenses
in 1914 S170, 900 annually for the sup
port of the insane $50.0 annually
for the state prison; $37, 900 for the
house Of correction; S42. 900 for the
industrial school; $4,000 for interest
on bonds Sz5U.U 900 for the exe cutive
department; $3.50, 900 for the admins
tration of justice.
Gov. Fletcher vetoed another bill
| last week. This was a bill calling for
an appropriation for the Brattleboro
Retreat for the insane. In refusing to
sign tne-measure Gov. FLETCHER said
he thought the state had gone far
enoughaa in appropriating money for
! privately lnstltutionssSo sSover which the
state had no control.
HAn extremely, humorous resolution
was presented by Mr. Hewitt OF
/ Piainfield one day last week providing
that if the legislature should hold the
members so long that they lose their
residence in their respective towns
they shall be entitled to vote there
and they shall be everlasting members
of the general assembly. Mr.. Hewitt
also moved LnaU lC De ordered to i E
which was done and the house. ad-
journed with hearty laugh over tie
resolution.
A new compromise tax bill has beer
introduced by Mr. Ripley Of Poultney.
Governor Fletcher made two more
appointments yesterday, one of which
is surrounded with the same amount OF
mystery as to the why and wherefores
| OF d cnange as some OF ms o.her ap.
pointments. He has appointed, E. S.
Bingham Of St. Albans. state agrieul
tural commissioner in place of 0. L.
Martin of Plainfield j. w. Titcomt
of Lyndonville,s. state fsh1 and game
j commissioner has received "a reap
pointment.