The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-01-11
GOVERNOR BILLS
ARE NOW P.ING
PRtPhRtO
First of Series Was introduced in
House TODAY
TO POSTPONE JUDGE ELECTIONS
Bill to Repeat the Perry Bill Ordered
to Third Reading Today-To
Abolish Capital Punishment.

Montpelier, Jan. 1.-THE bill to re-
peal the Perry prohibition bill was or
dered to second reading in the
House this morning without opposi-
ton.
In the Senate this morning Senator
Kendall introduced a bill to abolish
capital punishment, making the pen
atty for first degree murder life i'm
prisonment
II is very probable that the elec-
ton of supreme court justices and SUI
perior judges. usually held the third
week of the Legislature, will be post
poned until later date to allow con
sideration of a bill to be introduced
with Governor Graham's approval
which would If passed, change ma
terially Vermont's judiciary system
as outlined in the Governors message
last week.
Such bill is already being pre-
pared and will be introduced within
the next ten days. The fact was
learned today at the conference be-
tween newspaper representatives and
TIC bONSAhOAf AlAo SSNAtNpAs anu NAAS
executive clerk. The conference was
the first of what is planned TO be a
daily occurrence, it being explained
that Governor Graham is desirous of
having the people acquainted with the
administration intentions as soon as
any definite thing is decided upon.
So each day the newspapermen will
meet with either the Governor or his
representatives or both and will be
informed as to what may be expected
in the near future and the States
dailies in turn will acquaint the peo-
pie with the administrators legisla-
tive plans.
The first of the series of bills to be
introduced in the House or Senate
looking to the changes in the system
of administration, so clearly defined
in the message delivered last Thurs
day, made its appearance today, it hav-
ing to do with the consolidation of
offices to be directed by the commits
sioner of agriculture. The bill was
introduced by Mr.. Amidon of Halifax
and was prepared under the direction
OF the Governor.
llt uNAcuAt nOulQ llilfOoV uPSh
the commissioner of agriculture the
duties now performed by the State
board of agriculture, the State fores-
ter. State ornithologist. State nursery
inspector, livestock commissioner and
trustees of the agricultural schools.
Executive Clerk John n. Harvey in
explaining the bill stated that, with
the single exception of the State
board Of agriculture, no offices are
abolished, the duties simply being as
sumed by provisions of the bill
would report biennially instead of an
nually, as is the case at present and
this would also mean saving to the
State.
AS framed the bill would give the
Governor control over the expendi-
lures for clerical assistance to the
commissioner. but that provision is
only temporary and would be elimi-
mated if the board of control bill
should be passed.
InasmuCh as the board of control,
as proposed by the Governor would
consist of some offices not yet Great
ed, it will be necessary to have the
bills establishing such positions pre-
scented first, the board of control
measure to follow.
Bills covering every one of the
matters recommended in the inaug-
ural message are being prepared and
will be introduced as fast as they are
completed, it not being the plan to
present them all at one time but
simply to have them introduced as
soon as possible, and before the end
of next week all will have been intro
duced.
Undoubtedly the bill affecting the
dual system of courts will be so
drawn up that the superior Judges
will be eliminated, having nine SUI
preme court justices. 1t can be
easily seen that if the election should
be held at the regular time that in
the event of the passage of the ad-
ministration bill an embarrassing
situation would arise, the present sys-
TEN calling for eleven judges and the
new system for but nine. For that
reason it is thought that the elec-
tion will be delayed, but it is purely
matter for the Legislature to settle
without interference from the chief
executive.
Talk among the Legislators of the
Governors proposals overshadows
about everything else just at present
and is liable to continue until well in
to next month. AS yet county dele
cations have not discussed the matter
formally and little line can be obtain
ed on how the recommendations will
be received but from the general con-
! versation there seems 10 be a strong