News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1915-01-20
FROM THE STATE CAPITOL
M oNTPELIER, Vt.,(
an. Is. 1915. [

Assembly III all respects; but, neverthe
less, one thing is certain, it is not ar
"eepyjose" nor an ''edcook" legislature
Far from it. 1t is not famboyant noi
demagogic. A few other faults may de.
velop later, but thus far it has GRATED
little and done much. Because of these
things we may 60 on with courageous
hearts.
AS | write, large majority of the
more important bills are yet in abey-
ance. However, this does not signify
any desire to suppress or avoid them.
The great educational problem is yet to
emerge out of the mists; but it is incu-
batting and will soon be Sin our midst"
The reduction of court expenses is also
on the way, but this will not definitely
come to the front until the question OF
the courts is finally decided. This is ex
pected to be settled tomorrow at the
joint session for the election of Justices
and - probably = Judges. This matter
once disposed of, what has indeed been
the most vexatious question will be set
tied and we can proceed to other mat
tiers. Whatever may be done finally in
the matter OF educational legislation, the
very definite insistence on the part of
| the members for good measure of vo.
cational instruction privilege will make
| itself felt in whatever educational meas
ure is finally decided on The sentim ent
in favor of much wider scope for voca-
tional instruction is large and constant
ly increasing and caunot be denied.
good equal suffrage bill is on it's way
through the Senate as write-fathered
by Senator Campbell of Windsor-and
something of that general character is
practically certain of enactment. The
bill in question gives to all women over
81 the right to vote in all town and mu.
nicipal elections and to hold any office
/ voted at these elections, and it also
allows them to vote for Presidential
electors, and in fact to exercise any right
OF suffrage not expressly denied by our
state constitution. One of the next con-
stitutioDal amendments will give them
full suffrage, it is expected
A board OF appropriation estimates
and state budget" is provided in bill
offered in the House by Mr.. Morse of
Hardwick The bill provides that the
board shall consist of the Governor,
Lieut. Governor. Auditor, Chairman of
the Finance Committee of the Senate
and Chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee of the House. The eminent
propriety and actual necessity of such
board is generally admitted and some
such measure will undoubtedly be enacted. [
Nothing definite is yet heard as to di-
rect primary bill, but there is no que ;tion
ut that one will later be submitted. |
am given to understand that those inter- |
ested are trying to formulate practical |
and yet very simple measure of the kind, |
based on the best features of the laws of |
other states on the subject. The same
may also be said OF the prospects for a |
satisfactory workingmen's compensation
measure
The bill adding $4,000 to the present
appropriation of$20, 900 for the use ofthe
board of agriculture; more especially, is
explained to be for the purpose of estab-
fishing market or selling agency in some
not distant city where the state would !
maintain an expert agent with head
quarters whose sole duty would be to
market all produce consignments for any
and all farmer patrons to the best posi-
BILE advantage. There is now ia vorable
outlook for the bill-tho' it will likely en-.
some opposition-and it is made
a special order in the House for Friday
of this week.
Not that it is at all dissatisfied with
the personal or the work of the present
"bill revision commission" the legsla-
ture is, Notwithstanding, bent on COM
plete and drastic revision" of the act
constituting such a board. The Senate
bill now under way denotes them to the
official position of Legislative craftsmen"
reduces their salaries from eight dollars
per diem, and instead OF being appointed
by the Governor to remain during good
behavior" makes their term end with
each session and provides that they be
biennially appointed by the President of
the Senate and Speaker of the House
and in the event of conflict of opinion
between these two statesmen, by the
iusticies of the supreme court. 1t is the
present opinion that commissioners-or
'draftsmen"-Tom Cheney and Collins
work at this session, and that by their
Graves are doing very commendable
promptness and efficiency they are doing
much to expedite the business.
Various taxation bills are proposed
mainly changing the present law in minor
-espects-and an effort will be made later
TO embrace all changes considered by the
committee is be necessary in one measure.
L. 4