Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1913-02-28
LEGISLATIVE RESULTS
THE LAST SESSION THE MOST CON-
SENTATIVE In TEN YEARS
SAYS GOVERNOR

| III SlLlLS up CuS lSoulIo VI Vic NHtliO
bi-ennual, Governor Fletcher has
said that more constructive legis
lation has been enacted this session
than for any session for ten years, SC
says the Rutland Herald of Feb. %,
which, to the mind of the scribe
writing this, is of the similar
opinion, and that when the shower
of words which has been thrown at
the membership, for the past few
weeks, has cleared away, that the
people will be satisfied with the re-
suits of the efforts of their Repre-
N sentatives. The House has been
| criticised by some for lack of leader
ship, but party lines were so broken,
that it has been impossible to develop
a leader to whom they would cling
at all times, unless one accordS the
honor to C.. D. Watson, of st. Albans
city, who has nearly always carried
through any bill he has urged and
sometimes, against strong opposition;
if not the leader, he is admittedly,
the strongest member of the House.
| Of the Senate, well, they are directly
responsible for the direct State tax,
for they refused to pass the revenue
measures for increased taxation on
banks and railroads, and the strength
has not developed as advocated at
the opening Of the session. Of the
lobby, some of it has been crude.
Governor Fletcher is conceded the
honor of being one of the best ex-
ecutives in recent years.
Many conservative measures have
been enacted, such as distribution of
electrical energy, providing that all
such shall be retained in Vermont as
long as there is use for same, and
under supervision of the Public Ser
vice Commission, in which there has
been a considerable change, hints
are made of further changes. Re-
forestation, on a small scale, has
| been started, and the taxation on
young timber will be reduced so far
that, for the first Is years, the tax
alton will be based upon the value OF
\ the value of the land before forest
H alton started.
4 These two measures, with the
radical changes in the educational
\ system by creation of the new board
of education, are among the biggest
things accomplished at this session
yet the increase to the State, by rails
ing the tax ou telephone companies
as we'll as steamboat, sleeping car
dining and parlor car, and Pullman
car companies, also taxtaion OF eX
press companies, will demonstrate tC
the people that the House has beer
looking after the interests OF the
4 State, along this line. The new ap
praisal of railroads does not NEE
the approval of His Excellency anc
the State Treasurer; therefore, ar
appeal was taken. If another raist
occurs, this will add to the STATE
Revenue.
1t is said by some that if the mem
5ers had accomplished no more thar
hat before mentioned, along will
t he taxation reform, that they are
worthy of all the consideration the!
g ct from mileage and perdiem. Th'
la w which will effect officials as mucl
as any is one that all appointment
sh all date from Jan. each yea
Which will give His Excellency oppor
tunity to confne his efforts to th'
Legislature These appointment
holding until successors are appoint
ed. Perhaps one of the most pro
gressive ideas, if it works out well
that has been enacted, is the Stat
purchasing agent, and it is estimate
that it will save to the State aroun'
s100,0 900 annually.
Money is to be expended for tn
determination of insect pests and t
advance agricultural interests in tn
State as we'll as to endeavor to hav
4 better stock in the poultry produC
ton, and add to Vermont's reputs
ton for maple sugar making.
| While many will at first oppose tn