The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-04-09
Is To IN ExrRA sessIoN


rests entirely with the governor but
discussion OF the question breaks
out afresh every little while.
The Montpelier Journal In speak
ing OF the utterances OF some of the
other papers says 1t would seem
hat some OF them al least are under
the impression the executive can be
sandbagged into converting the legis-
laiure IN extra session. This use OF
the term "sandbagging" is getting TO
be a habit OF the Journal as this is
the second or third time Il has used
he expression under similar condi-
tions but the expression is not alto
geiher happy one and is hardly on
level with the rest OF It's argument.
An honest opinion is not an attempt
to sandhag anybody and IL Is a part
OF a newspapers business 10 express
opinions. These opinions may or
may not be correct but they often aid
the public in coming to a just COLI
clusion.
The further argument Of the Jour
nal against an extra session Is on
the ground OF expense. and expedi-
ency: Il says The legislature is. as
the taxpayers realize fully. a costly
body TO maintain. The recent regu-
lar session involved an outlay Of
nearly 100000. II convened In spec
ial session how much additional ex-
pense would be laid upon the tax
payers? Would II be $4,000. $4,000
or larger sum? Would such an
outlay be warranted for the purpose
OF passing a direct primary law in
view OF the fact that existing
statutes provide means by which
candidates for public office can be
named by the people? Would /. not
be the part OF wisdom and economy
TO make use OF the means for direct
nominations already available until
the regular session of the law-mak-
ing body in January next. rather than
place upon the taxpayers the heavy
cost of a special session."
Taking up the question OF expense
first A committee OF attorneys has
been at work drawing up the chang
es IN statutes made necessary by the
changes in the constitution. There
are some 400 of these changes and
they must be made by some legisla-
ture. Is IL better TO put The work be-
fore the experienced legislature OF
1912 or the new legislature of 1852
If you want n horse shod is it better
10 go to a blacksmith or to a young
man who has started in this morning
to learn the blacksmiths trade?
Which would be the best economy?
The newly amended constitution
forbids any more special charters
and compels the enactment of gen
eral incorporation law. The legislature
Of 1912 proved rather more compe-
tent than the ordinary run of legisla-
lures in handling corporation meas
ures and particularly in safeguarding
the interests of the state, With this
in mind wouldn't it be wiser to tell
the legislature of 1912 to enact gen
eral incorporation law rather than
put the job up TO the new legislature
not yet elected?
Another thing that has not yet
been discussed so far as we have
seen is the danger of litigation
with these 400 law changes needed,
with nominations to make hold an
election and get the new session I'M
der way. legal questions are likely
to arise that could easily be prevent
ed by making the changes first.
Then there is the election of a
United States senator to be made.
There seems to be good deal of
question attached to this matter that
could be done away with by an en-
actment made at n special session.
Lastly there is the direc. primary
The state voted for it by five to one.
It is not legally necessary that we
have it this year, but 1t is moral
obligation which should be needed.
The Journal is wrong in saying that
he people can express themselves
uONs say 81 10 NA0iNhl W ocg
ing that there was no need Of pri-
mary, and the people have voted
| otherwise.
The question before the governor
, is not one of absolute legal necessity
but one of right, reason, justice and
business judgment, and The Banner
believes that it is moral duty of
Governor Fletcher to call special
session and to call it early enough
so that the enactments made may be
somewhat understood before the
state tries to act under them. Not
only is the moral obligation COM
| polling, but we believe that it would
be the best business judgment and
J that it would save the state thous-
ands of dollars and many years of
litigation and trouble.
Dr. James H. Donnelly, formerly
| physician in the Hoosac school and
who for the past two years has been
located in Kentucky is visiting his
| brother. George r. Donnelly. On ac