Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1917-01-05
MADE S0L0NS SIT UP
Sweeping Changes Favored by
Governor Graham
Legislature Listened to His Inaugural
Yesterday Afternoon - Organization
Effected Wilson Speaker
MONTPELIER. Ian. 4.

MONTPELIER, Jan. 4.
Public interest here today centered on
the farewell message of Charles W. Gates,
retiring governor, and the inaugural adj
dress of Vermont new executive, Horace
f. Graham, the first given at a joint ses-
sion of the Legislature this morning and the
second at this afternoons session.
Contrary to conditions in 1915, when
Gov. a. NJ. Fletcher's valedictory was the
all-absorbing topic, most people today
were chiefly concerned with the sugges-
tions by Governor Graham.
1t had been limited in many quarters
that his message would contain many radi-
cal recommendations and for that reason
there were on hand to hear it an I'M
usually large number of officeholders and
others connected with the states govern
mental machinery.
Governor Graham's message left nothing
TO be desired in the way of thrills The
recommendation it made were not based
on theory, but to Use the new executives
own words, on experience gained "by daily
contact of over II years with the business
OF the state" 1t contemplates the elimi-
nation of many boards and commissions
which Governor Graham is convinced are
useless, radical Encouragement of the
Judiciary system, and the conduct of the
states business along the same lines that
a successful private corporation would fol-
low.
That Governor Graham has on his hands
a mans job is acknowledged even by those
who are most heartily in sympathy with
his plan, but in spite of Indications of
opposition from many lawyers und Office
holders the feeling is that the majority of
the lawmakers will be found on the side
of the man who has just taken his seat
in the executive chamber
| Governor Gates was well received when
he appeared before the legislature this
morning to read his retiring message, but
there was nothing about the document
which aroused more than polite attention
A summary of both messages will be
found on page 2 of this issue.
! Yesterdays sessions of the legisla
ture were attended by an unusually
large number Of prominent Vermont
ers, many being here primarily to at
tend the annual meeting of the Yer
mont Bar association, others to attend
the business session of the Inter-church
federation and yet others having
iourneyed to the snowbound city for
the sole purpose of witnessing the
opening of the 24th biennial session
The house and senate held joint
session yesterday afternoon to listen
20 the report of the committee appoint
ed to canvass the vote for United
States senator and state officers. Speak
err Wilson appointed as a committee on
rules f. +. Moore of Ludlow, Park
II. Pollard of Cavendish and B. M.
| Phelps of Fair Haven. This committee
will probably report today and the
general opinion is that the house com
mittees will not be appointed until af-
ter the rules have been adopted.
The event of last evening was the
reception given by the retiring COVER
nor to his successor in office. In the re-
ceiving line were Gov. Charles w.
Gates and daughter, Miss Edith Gates,
Gov. ELECT Horace F. Graham and Miss
Graham, Lieut.-Gov. and Mrs. H. X.
Darling, Lieut. Gov.-elect and Mrs.
Roger F. Hulburd, Ex.-Gov. and Mrs.
w. w. Stickney and Ex-Gov. and Mrs.
Samuel Pingree.
The Vermont legislature organized
in the morning. Rev. Frazer Metzger,
Randolph, nominated Stanley C. Wilson
of Chelsea, Republican, for speaker of
the house. Park C. Pollard of Cavendish
nominated Daniel Z. O'Sullivan of Col
chester, Democrat, stating that if Mr..
OSullivan had not had sufficient expert
ence he would have before he was elected
speaker, which was the only humor of the
morning session.
Mr. Wilson received 2l1 votes Mr..
OSullivan p, Mr.. O'Brien of South Bur
lington l. Mr.. Wilson was received with
applause and in short speech called for
quality rather than quantity in the legis-
lature.
Harry Black of Newport was reelected
clerk of the house. He appointed Julius
Wilcox and Roswell Austin as assistants
For chaplain Rev. James Wills of Water
ford received l46 votes, p. c. Mansur 20,
Rev. Edgar Clatlin of Barre 60,
In the senate II. S. Peck of Burlington
and d. w. Foote of Middlebury withdrew
from the contest for president pro TEN
and w. II. Fairchild of Fairfield was
elected. Guy NJ. Page of Burlington was
elected secretary and Miller c. X. Taft was
appointed assistant. Rev. NJ. w. Farm
ham was reelected chaplain.