The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-02-04

sioN OF contagious diseases among
bees, and one TO enable the village Of
/ Bennington to issue bonds to aid the
! construction of the Henry w. Putnam
memorial hospital. Mr.. Horton of
Readsboro, has an act relating to per-
sons convicted of intoxication. Mr..
Mears Of Sandgate, relating to COM
mitments to the House of Correction,
States Prison, Vermont Industrial
School, and Vermont State Hospital
for the insane. In the Senate Senator
Lafranchise Of Bennington, has am
act to authorize the clerk Of that
county to complete the court records
and one to provide for home for or
phan children. 1t appropriates $4,000
for the purpose, $4,000 Of which is
for equipment and $4,000 for main
tenance.
The primary election question is
now being threshed out in committee.
Two bills providing for such elections
have been introduced, the one by Mr..
Russell of Kirby, seems to meet with
the most approval. Former Lieut..
Gov. Frank L. Howe of Bennington,
appeared before the committee in ref
erence to this bill and said he thought
it was good measure, generally
speaking, but could be improved in
certain particulars. Having made a
study of the workings Of primary
laws in various states Of the Union, he
was asked to make suggestions to the
committee in writing. 1t is probable
that a committee bill will finally be
presented.
Among the important matters to be
considered during the week has been
that of Legislative pay. At commit
tee meeting J. Rolfe Searles, secretary
of the Republican State Committee,
was present and called attention to the
fact that the Republican platform de-
clared for lump sum salary. He ex-
pressed the belief that the people Of
the State would be satisfied with a
lump sum salary Of 5000. Senator
Powell thought the bill limiting the
salary to 5000 with a per diem Of $4
in case the session were less than rs
days in length would be most likely
to meet with general acceptance.
On Friday the special joint commit
tee appointed to visit the Speedwell
Farms and Lyndon Agricultural Col
lege and investigate the offer of
Theodore N. Vail of Lyndon to give
them to the State, went to Lyndon, ac-
companied by John w. Titcomb, pri-
vate secretary to Mr.. Vail, o. r. Mer
rill director of the school, and W. N.
Hubbard farm superintendent. On the
report Of this committee will probably
depend the acceptance or rejection of
Mr.. Wallis very generous offer.
The Governor has signed the joint
resolution relating to the appointment
of special committee to investigate
the subject of taxation. The resolu
ton states that the provision Of No.
35 of the acts of 1912 relating to ex-
from taxation and abolishing
deductions for debts owing have not
been satisfactory and provides for
joint special committee to investigate
the subject and report by bill or other
wise on or before Feb. II, 1915. The
committee is directed to hold public
in the state house so that
all interested may appear and be
heard on the subject.
Senator Powell's defamatory anony-
nous communication bill providing
that the names Of writers Of articles,
ETC., which appear in
a newspaper and which are defama-
tory to any man living or dead must
be signed by the real name of the
writer, has been subject to much un-
favorable comment among newspaper
men. At hearing on the measure
Walter II. Crockett appeared for the
Vermont Press Association, John I.
Cushing, editor Of the st. Adams
and Frank Z. Longley,
owner Of the Barre times, all spoke in
condemnation Of the measure and it
is to be redrafted and freed from its
Objectionable parts.
The State detention farm bill intro
iuced by Senator Carver of Washing
ton and carrying with it an appropria-
tion of $4,000 TO establish and SIS 900
per annum for maintenance has been q
passed by the Senate. II is likely TO
meet with opposition in the House as 6
This is a large sum and the legislature c
Is rather shy Of appropriations Of this Q
size at present. The action TO be TAX t
en- By the committee Of Bennington q
county members to which have bill 22 !
for tax TO repair the court !