Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-02-27

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Montpelier, Feb. % THE General AS
scmbly of 1912 has at last brought to a
close what is in many respects the most
remarkable session ever held by a Yer.
mont Legislature. No Vermont Legisla-
ture has displayed such fixed determina-
ton to bring about general Improvements
upon existing laws.
While on the surface the most notable
characteristic has been the unprecedented
and unapproached five months sitting, the
really significant thing about it is the
remarkable amount of legal reforms and
constructive innovations which It has
added to the statute books. In view of
these results the long session though still
a fault becomes a fault more easily for
given Tho reform in the method of rail
road taxation alone will certainly net the
State more than twice the cost of the
extra length of session. The particular
reform along with many others was made
possible by the fact that Vermont had a
business Governor experienced enough to
treat the larger businesses with Justice
and force them u be sincere with the
State.
The interest attaching to this Legisla-
turc was largely due to its thrce-party
ma"c-up. Not in recent years has there
been another threo-partY Legislature: nor
has there been another Legislator, iii
which party lines We're Observation-Disclosures In
the past democrats and republicans once in
Montpeier have been accustomed to for
get that they We're party men and re-
member only that
Even this year, in many important mat.
tiers, notably in dealing with the tax
question. republican. democrat and pro-
gressive on one side fought republic
can, democrat and progressive on the
other, unconscious Of any party align
ment.
CAUSES OF LONG SESSION
The new condition was felt most
through the persistent attempt of certain
new party members to make party cap
ital from the debates, bills and roll calls
1t was no uncommon thing to see one OF
the managers of the new party slip quiet
~ into the House, send II page with notes
to one or two of the progressive mem
bers and retire for a whispered con-
ference, after which some dramatic scene
would be enacted on tho floor. This was
interesting and crlivcn"d th9s sessions.
The objection was that it took time
n would hc unfair to charge Il minority
party with 50 serious an offensc a. caus-
ing the length of session. There We're
many causes working to9cthcr to produce
that result. But tho fact remains that
they did much to prolong it. TO say that
Mr.. Cook and MI jose. the two progress
sIVe representatives. m in evidence
took up more time and occa stoned more
delay than any 80 of the $40 other mem
beers would probably he an eXaGseration,
but it would not be a great cNaggera-
ton.
The greatest factor in prolonging the
length of session, was not so much the
result of the three-partY feature of this
Assembly, as it was something which
accompanied it and sprang from the same
sources. This factor may best be defined
as that mutual suspicion which paralyzes
action in any body of men. Ii seemed tC
he too much the policy to believe every
man 4 liar until he was proven beyond {
reasonable doubt to be honest. The re-
suit was that much minor business which
might have been disposed of on the ap
prevail or disapproval Of some reliabl,
committee, was repeatedly held up 81
that everybody might go through the mo
tons of looking into il.
/ CONSTRUCTIVE ACCOMPLISHMENT
But aside from breeding this paralyzins
spirit OF suspicion the indications are
mont good, 1t has certainly benefited
Narrnnnt'a ms ri With tn,
single exception Of the publicity of cam
paign expenses act this republican Legis
lature has lived up to every out and out
pronouncement of an extremely progress
.iVe platform. And that failed by tn,
merest mischance after each house hac
pa ssed such a measure. 1t has gone fal
beyond what the platform demanded. The
republican Governor has shown re
markable combination of courage, abil
ity devotion to the best interests OF the
whole state and constructive force II
carrying out his ideas, And the State ha:
| been wisely guided through a time o.
| dangerous IadiCaism, Welding to the cur
rent where yielding was proper and fear
lessly hreastine It whore to yield would
| he contrary to sound principles and gooC
| sense.
! The work of enacting progressive legis
lation has been carried on vigorously anc
| vet without that hysteria which usual,
| accompanies such efforts. 1t was a hare
task. 1t has taken time-too much time
| il may be. But II has been accomplished
The record of laws passed, and promises
| lived up to, is an excellent one, 1t is like
| ~ that no single Vermont Legislature has
enacted 50 much important new law Anc
| yet ON the whole the innovations arr
good.
Laws restraining and regulating lndivid
uals and corporations for the public gooC
| are the very gospel of progressiveness
! This republican-led Legislature enacted
| the following: 5. H. a law regulating
| the railroads in the matter of demurrag'
| charges IA 994 enforcing uniform standard
provisions in health and accident insur
cnce policies; II 1872, regulating and super
vising investment companies-being an at
tempt to protect the investing public o
| this State by requiring an examination