Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-04-09
LEGISLATIVE LETTER
Continued from Page l.

mont. Something of the kind was
and is absolutely necessary, and the
for this purpose will |
very much good from
many points of view. Although it
will incidentally beautify and dignity |
Montpelier, yet twill accomplish a
reform which is Of direct personal
interest to every citizen of the State.
1t it by and for him, and in the years
to come he will view it with pride
and satisfaction. 1t is altogether
probable that the commission to be
appointed by the governor to settle
Oh just how the fund shall be ex-
pended will decide on the splendid
lot adjoining the Pavilion hotel
property as the site for an independ-
ent and seperate building for the
purpose. This, on State street and
opposite the Central Vermont station.
is probably the most valuable build
ing lot in Vermont. It has a fully
sufficient frontage and depth, and
for years has been only chunk of
unoccupied land from which the
State has derived no income what
ever. From conversation with those
who will have something to do with
the construction it seems likely that
the building will be one of plain and
simple design, with no gingerbread"
work, and yet classicly beautiful. In
it will be lodged the offices of the
various State officials and commits
sions, with likely some space for the
State library and supreme courS, but
it is already planned that the secre-
tary Of state, state treasurer and
state auditor shall remain in the
capitol building with largely increas-
ed and more commodious 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 Insurance 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 now, but it had
faith that the State would have the
good sense to utilize the lot on TIE
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 in some degree in the con
structiol Of buildings of nearly the
same architectural character. Il
this dream comes true-and it now
seems likely to be brought to reali-
zation-the vista and perspective
from the capitol building will be i'm
, mensely advantaged and benefited
and the general aspect of that i'm
! mediate section will render it {
neighborhood of rare beauty.
In the consideration of variou
bills approprlating sums for assist
{ ance to towns i'll highway and bridg
construction work it was stated Of
: the floor Of the House that the Stat,
> highway fund last season received
the very considerable sum of SLIT .00
, from automobile licenses and tina
this year the sum received Woul,
S certainly run some over $1,000
r Come to think of it, how did on
highways ever get along withou
y automobiles in other days!
, The legislature was in session 8
e days, and at the lawful price of S
e per day therefor, the members in
! dividually received 1852. This i
e exclusive Of the two presiding Iof
2 ficers, whose services were valued
at approximately rs per cent more
! In the closing houls the House mem
/ bership presented Speaker Week
with a beautiful watch as a heart,
token of appreciation, while Lieut.
f Gov. Darling was given a diamond
stud by the senator's. Other mino.
officials were likewise remembered
{ by more modest testimonials, blu
with the excention of one ar mar,