News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1915-04-07
FROM THE STATE CAPITOL
[Continued from page i

In respect to the $4,000 appropria
ton for an extension of the rooming ia
cilities of the capuo this should be noted
with pride and sat staction by every cit
izen of Vermont Something OF the kline
was and is absolutely necessary, and the
expenditure for this purpose will accom-
plish very much good from many points
of view Although it will inciuently
beautify and dignity Montpelier, yet il
will accomplish d r. form which is OF di
rect personal interest 10 every citizen OF
the State IG is by and for him, and III
the Years to come he will view it with
pride and Sd tisfaction. 1t is altogether
probable that the commission to be APP
pointed by the Governor to settle on just
how the fund shall be expended will de-
eide ON the splendid lot adjoining the
Pavilion hotel property as the site tor
an independent and separate builolns
for the purpose.
This, on State street and opposite the
Central Vermont station, is probably the
most valuable building lot in Vermont
1t has fully sufficient frontage and
| depth, and for years has been only a
chunk of unoccupied land from which
| the state has derived no income what
| ever. From conversation with those
who will have something 70 do with
| the construction it seems likely that the
| building will be one Of plain and simple
design, with no "ginger bread" work,
and yet classicly beautiful. In it will
be Logged the offices of the various state
officials and commissions, with likely
some space for the state library and the
supreme court, but it il already planned
that the Secretary of State State Treas-
urer and State Auditor shall remain in
the capitol building with largely increas-
ed and more commoUiouh room. This
can be accomplished by throwing two or
three or four adjoining rooms into
suite.
Standing on the capitol portico and
facing the street and river this proposed
building will be at the left. On the
same relative location at the right it is
soon proposed to erect the new home
office building of the National Life In
surance Company, which has already
wholly outgrown its fine building next
the station, For this purpose it is stated
that the present site of President
DeBoer's residence will be utilized. 1t
is likely that something along these lines
would have been begun by the company
before low, but it had faith that the
state would have the good sense to
utilize the lot on the other side of the
park for a new building, and it has been
thought best TO DELAY the work until
both construction committees could
work together i'll the same degree i'll the |
construction of buildings of nearly the |
same architectural character. Ii this |
dream comes tIue-and it now seems |
Likely to be brought to realizatlon-the |
vista and perspective from the capitol |
building will be immensely advantaged |
and benefited, and the general aspect |
of that immediate section will render it |
a neighborhood of Iare beauty.
In the consideration of various bills |
sums for assistance to |
towns in highway and bridge construc-
ton work it was stated on the floor of
the House that the state highway fund I
last season received the very considera-
BILE sum of SIT, 900 from automobile
licenses, and that this year the sum re-
ceived would certainly run some over
$4,000 Come TO think of it, how did
our highways ever get along without
automobiles in other days?
The legislature was in session SO days,
and at the lawful price of $4 per day
the members individually re.
ceived 1852. This is exclusive of the
two presiding officers, whose services
were valued at approximately rs per
cent more In the closing hours the
House membership presented Speaker
Weeks with a beautiful watch as
hearty token of appreciation, while
Lieut.. Gov. Darling was given diamond
stud by the Senators. Other miner Off
5ials were likewise remembered by more
modest testimonials, but with the ex-
,eption of one or two especial cases
where employees had performed con-
siderable extra work there was nothing
If the usual resolutions raising compen-
;ation all along the line. In the last
hours state auditor Graham received
increase in his salary of 81 900
out his ia AIRY to SO 800 What
,ver his salary, no employe of the state
better earns or is more deserving of his
as now fixed than
Horace" He is the states general
ervant i'll many respects, always at the
;atl of anybody who wants to know the
cal facts as to any matter of state ad.
and this session has un-
oaded on him yet two or three more
permanent commission jobs. He is
Wiling helper and adviser, everybodys
rlend, and is not at all likely to receive
more than he deserves.
Another state official whose thorough
has often been brought to the
attention of the legislature of 1915 is
FAX Commissioner Plumley. He fully
Understands the requirements of the
ffice, gives it continual attention with
lis efficient service, and is constantly
boxing for chances 10 improve and eY-
end the value of the department to the
tate. Several proper and effective eff. |
iency bills to benefit the state through s
he administration of his office are the l
york Of his hand, and their prompE Ell. !,
ctment indicates the value which the }
,gislature attached to his suggestions .
State Treasurer Scott fitted into his
ew responsible tiles most harmoniously
nd with entire success, and every men,
er and everybody else who came in
ouch with him-and they all did at the
ay-off hour-are ready to swear that
Walter is jolly good fellow, a valuable
,rvant of Vermont and the right man
the right place.
One of the final acts was the packing
p and removal back to Essex Junction
over a carload of accessories and sup
lies by Secretary of State Bailey-not
Curing in all the staff of youny ladies