The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-04-08
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
FINALLY ADJOuRNS
Session Was 80 Days Shorter Than
That Of 1912

Legislature Of 1915 can be summaf-
izcd. and now. for the first time. an
estimate of its achievements can be
formed.
Some progressive laws were put
upon the statute books, and many
large problems were handled and dis
posed OF in a session Of IS days, which
was 80 days less than the 1912 session.
The work OF the session was reduced
10 large extent with the removal by
recent constitutional amendment OF
the necessity for special incorporation
acts. The number and volume Of the
statutes passed were thus reduced by
about third. AT the same time the
session could have been much shorter
II three important bills had put in an
earlier appearance. The delay In the
introduction of the workmen's COM
pensation. education and general cor
poration measures was not necessary
and was largely responsible for the
length of the session. The fiat salary
bill was not passed, but il was not
needed this year, since all were desir-
Gus of the shortest session consistent
with iudicious legislation.
In enacting statewide prohibition
educational reform, workman's com
pensation, and direct primary acts, the
Legislature stamped itself as a pro-
gressive body. The reactionary ten
denotes that appeared at the middle OF
the session when the House seemed
ready to abolish anything that cost
anything or interfered with business
were gradually overcome.
Workmen's Compensation
The workmen's compensation law is
n very important act. In theory II Is
a radical departure from the present
regime. The Vermont law while 2
very mild beginning, is considered Q
good beginning. It's effectiveness will
depend largely upon the character OF
the industrial accident board, which
Governor Gates will appoint this
month. This commission will admins
ter the law and will be tribunal to
nd inst settlements between employers
and employees in case of accident. The
schedule of benefits in case of injury
or death is from 30 to 45 per cent oi
the injured mans wages, according te
the number of dependents No ben
efits are paid during the first two
weeks after an accident, but the EN-
ployer must provide medical attend
ance. The weekly indemnities run II
no case longer than four years.
The act is in a sense a elective, ou'
practically requires employers tha'
elect to come under it, If the employ
or elects not to come under 1t, he Is
deprived of his common law defense'
in case of a damage suit brought bS
an employe. Every employer anc
workman is presumed to come under
the act unless the board is informed
to the contrary in writing. Every EN-
plover must furnish security for pay
ments TO the workmen in case OF acci
dent, by carrying insurance or fur
nishing a bond. The act does mol
apply to employers of ten men or less
or to municipalities unless they Sc
vote. 1t becomes effective July /
1915.
Direct Primary
A direct primary law was put upor
the books in spite of reactionary senti'
ment A referendum was necessary
10 save the measure. What VIII DC
The result of the referendum next
March is very problematical. The Law
II adopted by the people will abolish
marty caucuses and provide nomination
directly in primary elections. 1t is ar
aopen" primary, that is, it does mol
require a man to declare his party
affiliations when receiving his nomln'
ating ballot. He must, however, con-
fine his votes TO one party column al
the primaries. In accordance with the
wishes of the Senate the ac. viii apply
10 all elective officers.
State Prohibition
Statewide prohibition was enacted
subject to popular approval at the
polls at next March meetings. The
massage Of the Perry bin was IN re-
sponse to a strong public sentiment
the force Of which was not evident al
the opening Of the session. The law
Is like the present law with the loca
option and license features left out
The question before the voters mex
March will be: "Shall the prohibition
law become effective on May ], 1916
or on May j, 1927"
Educational Legislation
Educational matters occupied mucf
of the attention Of the legislators, a.
might be expected after two years OF
investigation by the Carnegie Founda
ton and the education commission ap