The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-01-08
And Question Now at Mont
pelier Is What Will the
Legislature DO?"
GOVERNORS PROGRAM
LIKELY TO BE ENACTED
The Lawyers Are the Only Ones at the
Capitol Who Fail to Respond to In
terrogations as to the Message,
Sure Sign of Hostility.

terrogations as to the Message, a
Sure Sign of Hostility.
Especial to The Reformer.)
MONTPELIER, Jan. s.
Seldom does a man walk off with the
governorship of the state without a
shadow Of opposition. That Horace 4.
Graham did must be admitted unless we
consider the Democrats a hindrancc
rather than help to a Republican nom
mate. To read the appreciation emitted
by the press Of the state when Mr.. Ora
ham declared himself a candidate one
will quickly gather that his IA years as
auditor OF accounts had given him a
standing with Nermonters which none
could assail. Therefore, all fiivvers
along the political highway turned aside
for the armored roadster from Crafts
bury, and Graham whirled up to the
statehouse without a single pause, not
once did he even hesitate. There were
no prediction promises to be made, no
tires to patch, nor opposing cars to
ditch.
After the party men of the state had
stood by and watched the prestige of
Horace Graham carrying him to the gov
Y
they awoke to face a CALLING situation
they, whose seIf,imposed task had
been, at all times. to read or write the
| political signs and forecast the future.
Here was man whose experience had
given him an inner knowledge Of Yer
mont S government which could equally
please or displease them, according as
he chose 10 use it. No opposition having
been his il had been unnecessary to ex-
lplicitlv state his Issues or general atti
tudc. lie had merely called for efficiency
IN state government.
After election, in the corridors of the
statehouse, IN the hotels, on the streets.
or wherever two politicians met, the
question ''What is Horace going to
dog was the introduction TO a conver-
sation predicting all sorts of things, de-
pending on whom the individuals
chanced to be.
With the opening of the oath bi-en-
NAL session of Vermont legislature.
Montpelier was crowded with the prom
lnent people of the state and the in
terest centered in the message of the in
coming governor. That message has
been given, Governor Graham s recon-
mendations are known, his plans for
Capitalization of state government in
individuals rather than commissions
were given in a message seldom eoualled
Tor Its brevity, sincerity, and evident
knowledge of the problems to be
solved. And now the question is,
r. What will the legislature do?" II
there was a lawmaker in Montpelier
who had no good words to speak of the
governor S message, he was silent Com
mendation was found at every turn, not
that all agreed or even believed that
every proposal would be written into
law. But everyone felt, as a represen-
tative from the southern part of the
state so aptly put it, that every legis-
lator must consider well message from
Ia man whose training and work has
brought him into intimate relationship
with every department of the state gov
ernment. How can we fail to listen
to man of Graham s knowledge?'
That Graham s program will not be
enacted hastily is assured, for law
makers were never exposed to such
disease. In all probability there will be
many committee hearings, many lengthy
speeches, much worth while discussion,
and more or less in the way of tangible
results concerning all that Governor
Graham proposes.
If there is any real fight it will come
in the reorganization of the courts. The
lawyers about the capitol are the only
ones who fail to respond frankly to in
terrogations as to Graham S message, a
sure sign of hostility. Some of them
openly question the wisdom of his
judiciary recommendations The Yer
mont bar will be well represented at
Montpelier during the coming week; its
association has already stated its posi-
tion.
SO, as YOU. consider the situation, one
must come to the conclusion that tin
session will not be as short as many had
hoped for. Experienced legislators state
that it will be impossible to close before
the March meeting. Some even go so
far as to predict melting snow before
the adjournment Here and there we
find members of the house and senate in
terested in degislating to various ends
and purposes. One man is especially in
terested in protecting sheep from dogs.
This gentleman proposes that the money
derived from dog licenses be paid into
the state treasury rather than that OF
the town, all damages being paid in full
and the balance Of the fund applied to
building roads and betterlng our schools.
The dog fund in some towns at the pres
ent time is below the actual damage re-
sulting from dogs, so that farmers can
not receive what is actually due
Another member wants representa-
tives to the general assembly elected on
la plurality on the first ballot. Yet an.