St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-04-07
LEGISLATURE OVER

| and Marcus +. knOWltOn, chairman
of the board of trustees appointed by
the federal government, attempted to
make the purport of the bill clear IN
the minds of the house members. The
hearings seemed to be without avail,
for-the house by a decisive vote re-
fused the bill third reading.
This action brought the advocates
of the bill to the feet of the oppo-
sition, led by Senator Simonds, and
on the last working day of the ses-
sion bill of entirely different nature,
which, according to those who stud
lied it, safeguarded entirely the mi
nority stockholders, was presented.
The senate passed it without ques-
ktion, but the house, still suspicious,
refused to listen to explanations and
defeated the bill. If legislation is
enacted in the other states allowing
the Boston and Maine to proceed as
7 it desires, Vermont will. be placed in
peculiar position and there are some
who predict a special session.
School Legislation.
Even before the legislature con-
vened, many members had conceived
a dislike to the suggestions embodied
| in the report of the Carnegie investi-
SdJOIS, OCCduS0 IL was N10WO0 do a
| radical departure from Vermont s
system of education and destroyed
town independence enjoyed in the
state. Following several hearings on
I the educational bill reported, a spe-
cial committee was appointed which
brought in substitute bills, both of
which passed with but few changes.
The first measure relates to elemen-
tary schools and creates new. board
of education composed of five per-
sons, to be appointed by the COVER
nor, and who will name commits
I'sioner of education. A uniform
course of study is provided and the
schools are to be supervised by SUI
perintendents appointed by the state
board, to be watched over by a small
group of supervisors. The school
age is raised to six years and the
school year increased from 80 to "a
weeks. A minimum wage of So per
week for teachers in rural schools
is provided, and the state can pay adj
fditional sums, according to qualif1ca-
lions of the teachers. The increase
over the cost of maintaining the
schools in 1914 is estimated at $751;
900, which will be met by increas-
ing the state school tax from eight
W III COAIS.
The second substitute bill relates
to the establishing of junior and Sc
nior high schools and differs from
the provisions of the original bill in
asmuch as it makes optional the vo-
cational education, instead of man
datOry.
Primary Pledge.
After passing a primary bill which
IL IS
state and congressional officers, and
that only after a message from Gov
ernor Gates calling upon the legis-
lators to fulfill a platform pledge to
the people, the house receded from
its stand after the senate had amend
ed the bill to include county officers
and by having a referendum attached,
the people will vote next March to
see whether the primary law will go
into effect in 1916 or 1917.
Mild Workman's Compensation Bill.
A workman's compensation act was
passed late in the session, but the
bill is very mild compared to similar
laws existing in other states. The
maximum death settlement is 3d.
500 and the maximum total disabi1-
ity payment is $4,000. Employers
choose whether or not they wish to
come under this act.
Drastic Step Against Venereal Disease
The house refused to pass a eu-
genie marriage law early in the ses-
sion but later passed bill reating to
the prevention of venerea1 disease,
which, if strictly enforced, will be
even more drastic, it is believed. If
person marries knowing himself to
be afflicted with such disease he
may be fined $500 or imprisoned in
the house of correction for not more
than two years. A lesser penalty
is provided for person who has sex
r al intercourse while infected, and
physicians are required to report
cases treated to the state board of
health.
Public Printing Board.
A board of public printing COM
posed of the governor, treasurer and
auditor of accounts is created and
shall authorize the printing of re-
ports and superintend the same.
Budget Act.
A budget commission composed of
the governor, treasurer, auditor,
state purchasing agent and mem
Der of the financial committee of the
two houses was created by the bud
get act, passed early in the session,
and drawn up by a special commit
tee. The act is intended to put the
fiscal affairs of the state on
a strictly business basis by
preparing detailed record of
all state expenses and rev.
enues for the preceding biennial pc
riod and an estimate for the coming
biennial period. The budget COM
mission shall at the opening of a
new legislature prepare a bill con-
l'taining all the appropriations and
will thus tend to expedite legisla-
| ton.
Corporation Uniformity.
The passage of the several corpo-