The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-04-07

ary sentiment. A referendum was
necessary to save the measure. TIE
result of the referendum next March
is probably assured as the state has
once voted strongly in favor of direct
nominations The law is adopted by
the people will abolish party caucuses
and provide nomination directly IN
primary elections. 1t is an open" pri
mary, that is, it does not require .
man to declare his party affiliations
when receiving his nominating ballot
He must, however, confine his votes
to one party column at the primaries.
Statewide prohibition was euacted,
subject to popular approval, at the
polls at next March meetings. The
passage of the Perry bill was in re-
| sponse to a strong sentiment, the
force of which was evident at the
opening OF the session. The law is
like the present law with the local
option and license features left oat,
The question before the voters next
March will be. "Shall the prohibition
| law become effective on May !, 1915.
or in May /. 1922"
The somewhat radical changes in
| court procedure recommended By jus
tice G. NJ. Powers and Judges Fl. 3.
Howe and F. l.. Fish were suDstan-
| TALLY enacted into law; they are de.
| signed to expedite court business and
remove unnecessary technicalities
l Tho 10 I,r
on appeals to give decision within
one year A municipal court law was
passed, which will make the munici.
| pal courts really work. There can be
no appeal on cases involving $500 or
| less and the territorial jurisdiction Of
the court is extended and provision is
made for jury, when called for The
| friends of the bill say that It viii re.
duce appeals and reduce court costs
Others say that the new law will
prove a lemon. and will add great ex.
pense
The Legislature early in the session
changed the terms OF office of the gil.
preme court and superior judges so
that the terms were consistent With
other changes incident to the constitu-
tional amendments that set forward
other terms of office two months.
The personnel OF the courts was also
changed, so that tho courts stand the
same as If Governor Fletcher had nu.
exercised his powers of appointment.
The Legislature met the need for
some action for the care OF feeble.
minded persons by appropriating the
sum OF s65,000 for the construction
OF home. Those states In whose
institutions Vermont fias been cartns
for her mental detectives had inform
ed the state that these unfortuna.es
must be removed and cared for in
Vermont
The law relating to medical in
spection in schools had been optional
with the school authorities even II
the town or city voted for such in
spection, but under a bill passed at
this session ii town or city vote tor
medical inspection II Is not longer
optional with the authorities. tat
must be introduced in tho schools
The statute OF Ira Allen will he
placed on the portico of the capitol
facing the statute OF Ethan Allen
Money was appropriated to erect a
marker on the grave OF Rufus T.
Percy. the Highgate boy who WAS
killed during the occupation OF inc
Mexican seaport OF Vera Cruz h.
forces from the United States battle
ships, April 22, 1914. The sum of
$4,000 was appropriated for the res.
toration OF the "Old Constitution
House" at Windsor.
A measure which 1t is hoped viii
have beneficial effect on the ffnan-
ces of cities was passed providing
that in order to create an indebted
ness exceeding 10 per cent Of tie
grand list rs per cent of the voters
OF town must vote to do so. This
aims to correct the evil created when
large indebtedness can ba voted by
mere handful of men.
The demand for Offsets resulted in
small offset being enacted. Fifty
Pci ttui. OllStL lOi NtutS OMiilS up "
$1,000 was granted. Present exempt.
ion on five per cent loans made by
individuals is retained. Book accounts
are also exempted.
Among some of the other import
ant general laws are. The proyid-
ing of machinery for the elec .ion of
United States senators by popular
vote; congressman are to be elected
by plurality instead of majority; q
text book on Vermont Industries ard
resources will be introduced i'll the
schools; stringent regulations are
provided for the control of the sale
OF opium, morphine, and other naf.
cotic drugs; provision for the organ
ization of cooperative fire insurance
corporations: added protection to
creamery patrons more automobile
regulations; uniform bills OF lading:
tax commissioner on request to aD-
point special deputies TO assist list
ers in the preparation o fthe grand
list; chairs to be provided female
employees; sanitary regulation of |
barber shops; uniform apple grading |
law; added appropriation TO the |
department of agriculture for the cs.
tablishing of a bureau of farm labor
and a bureau of markets.; improving |