St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-02-10
LOCAL OPTION DOOMED
CONTINUED from page 1.


but the sixth class, bills affecting the
settlement OF estates in probate court
and one calling for an appropria-
ton of 900 for the erection of
a dormitory at the state agricultural
school at Randolph.
There is quite a lively contest in
sight over the two primary bills that
have been introduced. The most Sc
rious contention is over the question
whether a man shall declare himself
before he takes a ballot and then
be allowed to vote with only the
party he has declared for or wheth-
er he shall be allowed to take bal
lot without any declaration and vote
for the candidates of one party only.
Monday a statement of the condi-
ton of business was made and it
showed that the house has passed
38 bills and killed 40. There are
1872 new pending in committee. Of
the latter number committee on
game and fisheries has 81; judiciary,
20; ways and means, 16; municipal
corporations, 10; grand list, Is; ap-
propriations, IL; highways and
bridges, 10; internal affairs, 8. The
other committees have from one to
six measures in their possession.
Mr.. Mayo Of Mortified has intro
duced a bill relating to Norwich Uni
versity scholarships; appropriates
$4,000 annually; appropriations.
To Study Court Procedure.
The Joint resolution calling for
the appointment of judges and prac-
ticing attorneys to investigate and
report to this legislature the need of
revising and simplifying court pro-
cedure has been signed by Cover
nor Gates and he has appointed JUS
tice George NJ. Powers of the SUI
preme court, Superior Judge F. L.
Fish and Harland B. Howe Of ST.
Johnsbury. These gentlemen be-
lieve there should be a simplifica-
ton of such procedure and there is
every reason to believe the legisla-
ture will have a real effective mea-
sure presented to it for action.
House Killed Salary Measure.
The house bill fixing the salary
of the members of the legislature at
$500 was taken up in the house last
Wednesday when the committee ia
vored raising the amount to $3.50
and action on the bill was postponed
until Thursday. When it came up
again Mr.. Hapgood of Peru moved
to dismiss the bill and the motion
was carried by a vote of 1853 ayes to
68 nays, thus closing the matter so
far as the house is concerned. There
is a possibility that towards the close
of the session a bill fixing the COM
pensation at $3.50 will be intro
duced and passed.
WOrkmen's Compensation.
On Friday, Senator Simonds of
Caledonia introduced the workmen's
compensation act that had been pre-
pared by the special commission con-
sisting of Hale X. Darling, Secretary
of State Guy w. Bailey and Lieut.
Gov. F. E. Howe. The bill follows
in many important details the uni
form act recommended by the COM
mittee from the American Bar As
ISOLATION, which is considered the
last word on this subject. The bill
provides for compensation of work
men injured in their employment, to
be paid the victim or dependent,
based on his or her wages, but in
no case to exceed $40 a week or be
less than IS a week. In case of
death as a result of the accident, the
dependent widow. or widower shall
receive SO per cent of the victims
usual wages for a period of $50 |
W6ehS1 III case LuCIG are OnO Vi IWO
children so per cent and one to
three children, sc 2-3 per cent, the
growing less so far as
1t relates to a removed dependent |
like father, mother, etc. The |
bill provides for an industrial acct
dent board of three members APP
pointed by the governor with the
machinery TO make the |
act workable. The act virtually |
does away with the fellow servant, |
negligence and assump- |
ton of risk doctrines of the COM
mon law. Election of the provisions |
of the act by employer or employe |
determines liability under the act or |
at law. The act does not apply to |
farm laborers or domestic servant. |
Certain injuries are classified as to-
tai disabilities, such as losing both |
eyes, both legs, injury to the back, |
causing paralysis, etc. In case of |
death 500 is paid Immediately for |
funeral expenses. Payment of lump
sum for settlement can be made only
with approval of the board. No
is given for the first 4
days after an injury outside of med
Is provided. The basis of the act is
that employer should insure against
injury to his workmen as he would
against fire. In lieu of carrying in
;urance with a company of recog-
nized responsibility the employer
nay file a bond or give surety that
would satisfy the board, in which
event the company would carry its
own insurance.
The State House Addition.
Last Wednesday a hearing was