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THE BURLINGTON FHHR PllHKS AND TI.MhS: 'I 111 HSIJAV, KhHKt AKV 'J, I!)K?.
11
LEGISLATURE I
FIGHT TQ Fl
NISH
Filibuster on Tax Bill Cleverly
Staged through Afternoon
and Evening.
SENATE SUSTAINED VETO
"Refused to Again Pass Bill to Es
tablish an Office of Criminal
Identification No Limit to
Expense.
MontpeHcr. Kc'i, 21. At midnight Hi?
1inii.il AfMinblv was still In llio thioes
' nnstructlon nml Its actual final nccom-
i-hue nt t itmot hit determined.
Vft' sin tiding several hours on the tax
1 vvnlch was onlv m measure to postpone
opci.ttion ..f the locotitly enacted tax
ii fur niie . ir, the Senate sent to the
llnise the Hlpley of conforenro 1)111 (II.
ard the llnu.se promptly dl.Mnissed it,
s that the f. niitlv proposed bill stands
mii-hangcd.
i 1 House this afternoon killed another
I r.mar clei ttnn bill and thi Senate
adopn.l a joint resolution referring to
t in i. pie at the March meeting in toil
tb. question of a direct -or pioferentlul
i run irv .
s 'lie- ,i piece of filibustering ns was
-' e r s, i , ,n llir "ermont Legislature was
In cvli'ieii tins afternoon and evening.
A tell w.i-. ri poried this morning by the
Seruid . nnimitteo on llnaneo, nmendlug
ti. t -x.it nil law so tliRt it should take
prr'r. t Mi I. Instead of April 1. This
w,v Id aivi I'h people who have been
h' i f i I I ' the offset pinvlslon of the
1 ' li it i to ndliit-t their affairs to
t' i mi i miihti'Hi, which they probably
p'i' Id Hid do In the few weeks remaining
be'or. tl time of takimr the nniiual list.
Mr. I ilrd stlgmntlzi d the attempt to
' mv'i the law in the closing hours of
fi .ccirni as entirely ulifnlr and un
v a -ranted.
nXK VR' SUM EXT APVANVKII.
Tbr i .nter w is under dlseussinn for
n'"'i.t hi lice r the only m-gumcm In its
s ipe 1 1 b 'Itiir that some people were
t."ken "y -urini.-e by the tax law. To this
it was replied that thi matter had been
i rd r consideration for six )c:ii. that
tbr Legislature had been discussing It for
fl r months, and that one of the ilrst
move- toward taxation reform was the
"sa-:c of n House bill which abolished
oflsit- alum $l.MiO. so that all people had
eiimb nou:' .ulon.
Mr, Johnson moved to add to the bill
IT, "S."i, the Illpluy or conference bill.
Mr DnrUnt of Orange raised the
Point of eider that the amendment
was not i?i rnmni'. but the ehnlr mled
lU'iniRt him. Mr. Ilabbltt elnimed
tli.it the .i mendment was not proposed
in son 1 faith and was Intended to do
tr t the bill, an accusation which Mr.
I, nmoii denied
ftn fun h -r debato tile matter was
1 owed tn lie until evening for some
i it-estIgj.tlon l the senators Intor-
ted When it was brought up In
b' vcnins- the original Senate bill
v i" i-tvlekon out and 11. Ksi, the con
form'1 bi'l, was passed and went to
tbP 11.,'IFe
st-.N Wi: SUSTAIN:-- veto.
- i.at has refused in pes over
t it ii .-f the Ciovemor the ppi to
'. n .n i.TR-o of eimnna1 Idenllfl-
v.1 dami, the ine.nii, r fiom
c in - slieiiff of Orai.Re utinty,
ii'i M- Aji.h of Unmet, forin-i slieritf
r i i a ci unty, appeared l.etoie the
of tlie vvholo In Upper: of the
' i" i'i- that It would impose no
(Xt '
1 f nil
1. ise in the Stute and would
-i living by cutting down the
'i i c-vpendod for d -teethe
amont t ,s
t- rl
Tlv u v. . r
opposition to the purpose
of tl
ivtt i drawn it seemed to pcr-
m'' i.o niil nut. .1 expense and the details
were i't i irefi.lly worked out that
tin i.it Id feel warranted In uer
rr r tr- n1. nilmi of the executhe.
M U'liONdt OH COMMISSION.
Ti i Om-ei nor appointed as mem-btr-
r t c coinniisHion to arrange for
tit (tii.nni 1 anniversary celebra
1 1 n ut M.i donough's victory at Vi r-
Knr.f tin lies. J, A. Vozinu, tho
lion I I., l'lsh. the Hon. it. W. M0.
ciin .miiI J, II. Donnelly of Vorgennof,
the lion. C II. Darling of Hurllngton
and J I ii i (' Sh.iw of nutlancl.
Tin hi ml "f ii.iolh in i iiuntants, cri?
atcd ii n r t it '-ill intiodueeil early in
t M?3lrin I Sin i lor Mowir, ha de
cided t i pirUpuii ts lirt inci tints to thu
1 irth Tuesdav in Mori h.
OFFICIAL RECORD OF DA!
-MORNING.
'I'i Hi mitt was called to older by the
( ie ii -a ivernor and devotional exei
Ci. v ' iml'Kted liv the chaplain.
JtiAD TIIIUD TIME AND I'ASSED.
S. 21' llelatlng to' chart i- of Ver
fii ne
S T prt serve scenic a'.'.i-.itllous of
the St ite.
I'SSKD 3N CONCUItnENCi:.
H i,7-' I'nnldliig for support of govoin
lui nt.
LXiXTTIVE VETO SUSTAINED.
II. 42!i Establishing utile u of criminal
lu I i e it mi
On motion of Mr. Daillng of Orange the
Sena' went Into committee of the whole,
w th ir Wallis lu the chair U. II. Ad
iii. hi -i a, bh, lib of (.range i uunty,
ml (icoige 1". Winch of Unmet, foimor
E-lurllt of ( 'aleduida county, spoke In
1 vor of the bill, explaining the method
t' taking lln-,ir pilnts at.d thy saving to
the State that would lesull.
On motion of Mr. l.alrd the committee
ro.se at 1147 and reported progress, (hi
tn rid ' dl th - Scnutu lefiiHcd to pa
tin bill ovir the veto of the (iovoinor by
a vote of ID to 11.
VOTE OK THANKS.
A Joint resolution by -Mr. MoKeeters
thank ig th' polio club for Its courtesy
nnd le iillulil. was inloptid.
LIE I I'ASSED. n
S .J -ji l.Hlug to Clarendon l'owor
(ompaiT'-
TIIIUD ltE.VOfNO UEi'MSED.
S I . relating to ftitlnnery and uup-
. i d
S. 234Aiithnrlzliig Hurllngton to con
struct ii city hall.
AMKNtyRD AND PASSED.
II. 213 Amending act Incorporating
Hurllngton Light and 1'ower company,
I'ASSED.
II. filiD Relating to duties of supervisor.")
of Insane.
II. tail Relating to cattle commissioner.
ADOPTED IX CONCURRENCE,
.lolnt resolution relntlng to Insuranco
commissioners,
HECON81DERED, AMENDED AND
PASSED.
11. f'37 Relating to taxation of tele
phone companies.
ADOPTED IN CONCURRENCE.
Joint resolution relating to pay of sic
t.ographers and engrossing cleik.
HIM. INTRODUCED.
S. 2i.V-Amendtng act relating to exemp
tions from taxation,
On motion of Mr. Pollnrd the Senate at
32:20 adjourned.
SIGNED HV THE GOVERNOR.
S, !i7 To amend sections 1, fi and G of
No. IBS of the acts of l!d0, relating to tho
sale of oleomargarine. A
S. 163 To amend the charter of thY
Jones nnd Lamson Power company.
S. Relating to toll bridges between
Vermont and New Hampshire.
S. 22.1 To amend certain sections of the
public statutes, relating to labor of con
victs. H. 221 To amend section 5M5 of tile
public statute.", relating to labor of ron
vh'ts. S. 227-To prohibit the huntlns of elk.
S. 2iwTo provide for an appropriation
for agricultural extension service at tho
rniverslty of Vermont and State Agricul
tural Collepe, conditioned on federal leg
islation. S. 21'". To amend No. 1? of the nets of
W, rotating to commitments for misdemeanors.
HOUSE MOSNING.
The House wn.s called to order by the
.speaker, t'hnplaln Kurd read the latter
Tortlon of the Sermon on the Mount, clos
ing the service with prayer in which, us
usual, the members joined.
JOINT liESOMTION
Relating to tho pay of tile clerks and
stenographers of the joint standing com
mittee of bills. Mr. llapgood of Peru oc
cupied tho attention of the Hone for a
eiisslderahle time entering his protest
' against the payment of such bills." He
moved the resolution be dismissed, which
was voted down unanimously, the resolu
tion passing lu concurrence.
Joint resolution relating to the com
memoration of the lWith anniversary of
the birth of Stephen A. Douglas, to be
held at Hrandon, April 1.1. 1013. adopted on
the part of the House.
HEAD TIIIUD TIME AND I'ASSED.
11. 122 To exempt lefoiested lands from
laxution, and to promote the growth and
maintenance of wood and timber lots.
HEAD THIltD TIME' AND PASSED IN
CONlTlUtHNCE.
S. 1JS To re(iiire certain Institutions to
keep a record of their inmates.
HEAD TIIIUD TIME AND PASSED IN
'ONC'lRHENCi; t'NDEH SUSPEN
SION OF Till: Ul'LES.
2K; Authorizing the village of Hyde
Park to Ishuo bonds.
S. 2IJ To authorize the dty of Montpel-
ier to exempt from taxation a new opera
house or tlieatie building.
HEAD TIIIUD TIME AND ADOPTED
IN CONCCUHENCE.
Joint resolution relating to the State
board of health. Adopted in concurrence.
TIIIUD HEADING OHDEHED.
H. T, Providing for nomination of State,
county and congi essional officers by di
rect primary.
HI EE KILLED.
S. 2ii9 Ueluting to the nl.ir ut the
ittoruey-general. Mr. Cook of Lyndon
opposed increasing the salary. Two years
ago a gltt of $l,uw was added to the JJ.Goo.
"The salary Is enough. There is not a.
bright young lawyer in Vctmont who
would not take the oiilce without any
salary because it has been a stepping
stone to high positions." Hp favored an
increase to $:!,i00, and moved to amend
according! y.
.Mr. Hapgood of Peru objected. Tho
amendment was agreed to, and the third
reading of the hill was refused.
HKTHUNED TO SENATE.
II. r7". To prohibit carrying intoxicat
ing lliUor into manufacturing establish
ments, was, on motion of Mr. Martin of
lienuington. returned to Hie Senate.
in motion of Mr. Watson of St. Albans,
the Ciuvernnr was. lequested to return to
the House il. 21S i elating to the Uurllng
ton Light & Power company, and 11. 037,
mating to the taxation of telephone com
puiiie.v. On their return fiom the Governor
the weie sept to the Senate.
SENATE PP.OPOriAL OP AMENDMENT
CONCI'ItUED IN.
II. l Helating to the legislative reter
en:e bureau.
HILLS KILLED.
S. 210. To provide for clerical assistance
for the Insurance department. Mr. Hap
good objected, and the third reading was
denied.
S. II Helating to legislative reference
linn. in. Called up by Mr. it Her of Bethel,
who t-aid It had been otherwise taken
care of.
SPECIAL lii'LE ADOPTED.
Mr. Gage of WeatliPrsf'.eld, for tho com
mittee i,n rules, 'eporteil u special rub:
providing thai a incmhir shall for the re
mainder of ihP msslon, speak but once
on the nuii' iiuestion, and not longer than
livo minutes and tho rule was adopted
under a suspension of the niles.
JOINT HESOLUTIONS.
Providing for llnal adjournment Satur
day morning at eight o'clock was adopted
In coneiiii cine, Mr. Hnpgood of Peru
protecting against it.
Providing ir tho publication of a sup
plement to "Legislation of Vermont" pub
lished l'V Albert P. Cross, and providing
for t1 i pi luting ut i.nnu copies was re
fused pllbunge.
HEPOUT ix W ATE 11 POV EES.
The committee to investigate the de
veloped nnd undeveloped water powers of
tho Stute leportul that there were over
Mo lakes and ponds in tho Stain. There
are over 00 companies In the Stato gener
ating electricity. Thu uverago sell
ing pi lee is approximately six cents
per kilowatt. Tho approximate cost
of thoso power development concerns,
the Vermont Power company, the Deer
Held Hlver Power company and the I''lf-teen-mile
Power Development company,
id t'heii uu $K;,ooo,'iOi) and the approximuto
horsepower, 101,000. homo law to pieservo
our natural resources in water power is
lecomnirnded to tho General Assembly.
On motion of Mr. Hlpley of Poultney.
llio House at 11.10 took a recess until 11:55
o'clock. i
On motion of Mr. Thomas of Sheldon
the House adjourned at 12:05".
SIGNED HV THE GOVEHMOU.
17. 1S5 To amend section 903 of tho pub
lb htntut' -. ,i .inenilcil by No 311 of tho
nets of 1008 and No. Ss of the nets of 1910,
relating to peddlers.
II. Wv To enable n savings bank, trust
company or savings bank nnd trust com
pany to secure postal savings deposits.
II, CfiG To Incorporate Hie Stowo Sav
ings Hnnk & Trust company.
H. r.;& To change the name of the State
board of library cominls.slonpts,
H. K0 To create a commission to es
labllsh a uniform systemot municipal and
city cotut foinis nnd records.
H. 591 To enable the town of St. Johns
bury to Issue bonds for tlm purpose of
purchasing land nnd erecting n now
sohoolhottso thereon.
II. MS Authorizing the Vermont Valley
railroad to coiiKtruet and own an operate
an addition to Its railroad.
Joint resolution relating to the expenses
of tho committed tolnvestlgate the matter
of State purchasing agent.
Joint resolution to provide for the in
vestigation nnd report upon certain
changes in the public statutes and amend
ments thereto.
Joint lcsolutlon relating to the Ineoma
tax.
Joint resolution providing for a commis
sion to report a suitable memorial for Ira
Allen.
Joint resolution relating to tho elec
tion of United States senators.
SENATE AFTERNOON.
HOl'SE AMENDMENTS CONCt'HHED
IN.
S 2r.G Helating to properly liphtS of
man ltd women. Html third time and
passed.
II. 3H. To establish ft municipal court
for Brighton.
TIIIUD HEADING HEEESED.
II. 4)5. Helating to Inhcritntieo taxes.
S. 2)5 Amending act relating to exemp
tions from taxation. (Makes It take effect
May 1, ltd" l
Mr. Laird thought it unfair to bring
in such a provlslor at the very end of
'le session. After some debate Mr. John
son moved to amend by adding tr It
House bill f,5, (the Hlpley pin discussed
it the House at length. Ho also moved
to make the bill take effect fa l'.H". Mr.
Dulling of Orange raised the point oforder,
that the proposed amendment 'wis not
gei mam The chair ruled that the amend
ment was germane. The vo'e on tho
amendment was a tie, 15 to 15. Th chair
voted yes aid the amendment prevailed,
Tlie .entiiis who voted lor the amend
ment were: P.arbei-, lilgwood, ft eft, Dar
ling of Caledonia, Dodds, House, Jonn
son, I.nird, McEeeters, Mower, Preston,
Qtilnlin. Hoy, Shervvln and Wall Is.
The matter was postponed till evening
when Mr. Chaffee moved an amendment
striking out the Senate hill and leaving
Houso bill f5 the only matter to he eon
sldered. Tlie Senate w.i.s agreed and the
bill was passed and sent to the House.
- PASSED IN CONCniUENCE.
II. fAI Amending a n providing for ap
pointment of a factory inspector.
11. 2CS To provide apparatus for in
struction in tcMiurees of Vermont.
II. 57S Hcdatlng to inheritance taxes.
If. ."92 Providing for preferential nomi
nations for I'nlted States senators.
Joint resolution relating to niuulelpat
courtf..
UILL INTHODL'CED AND PASSED.
S. 2Wijy committee on highways and
bridges, routing to toll biidge.
ADOPTED IN CONCUUHENV.'i:.
Joint lcsolutlon to commemorate
the
l lith of Stephen A. Douglas.
PASSED IN CONCl'HHENCE.
II. r,!)7 Providing for a State tax.
H. 74 Helating to sale and cuttin
of
evergreen trees.
H. IKl-Ucl.ttlng to liability or banks.
On motion of Mr. Hallard, the Scnato
adjourned till seven o'clock.
HOUSE AFTERNOON.
HEAD THIRD TIME AND KILLED.
S. ;..--Providing for State, count.v and
congressional oillcer.s by the direet
primary system, as amended by H. 111.
Mr. Ryder called for the ye.is and nays;
they were: Yeas. 90; nays, US. and tho
House refused to pass the bill in con
currence with proposals of amendment
READ THIRD TIME, AMENDED, AND
I'ASSED IN CONCURRENCE T'N
DEH SESPENSION OP THE REt.ES
S. 22fi.-Relnt' to the time of holding
caucuses.
On motion of .Mr. Ryder of Rockingham
H. 209, to consolidate tho various school
funds, etc., was recalled from the Gov
ernor. HILL KILLED.
H. To provide for the pajimnt ot
tuition for pupils in Unci's Gore.
On motion of Mr. Mai tin of Hennlng
ton, the House requested tlie Gqyeinor to
return to its possession House p ju,
relating to actions of libel.
THIRD HEADING HEECSED.
S. 23''. Relating tn Indemnity contracts,
penalty for violations, etc Majority and
minority reports submitted. Yeas, til; nays,
91.
REPORT OE COMMITTEE OE CON
FERENCE ADOPTED.
H. 4 11. To prevent the pollution of
tlie waters of this Stato. With Sen
ate pioposals of nmejionent.
JOINT RESOLUTION.
Thanking the Apollo club of Mont
peller for their courtesy nnd hospital
ity to the members of the l.egisla
tuie. Adopted on tlie part of tho
House.
SENATE HILUS READ AND RE
FERRED. S. 221. Uelatlni,- to the Clarendon
Power company- To committee on
corporations.
HEAD TIIIUD TIME AND PASSED IN
CONCI' It HENCE,
S. 211. Helating to tho charter of
tho city ot Vcrsenncs approvo! Jan
uary ii, )9ia. Head three times and
pabsed tn concurrence under suspen
sion of tho rules.
SENATE HILLS REFERRED.
S. 214. To conservo the scenic and
resources of the Stato of Vermont.
To committee on Internal affalis.
SENATE PROPOSALS OF AMEND
MENT CONCURRED IN.
IT. C72 An net to provldo for the
support of Kovernment.
H, 218 Helatltit' to tho Uurllngton
Llsht and Power coiupan.
11, r. :i T Relating to the taxation of
telephone companies.
On motion or .Mi. Ryder of Rock
ingham, Houso hill 209, and net to eon
Holldutn tlie various school funds, was
returned to tho Senate agreeably to
its request.
On motion of Mr. Jose of Johnson,
the House, at l:ir. p, m., took a locess
for ono hour.
Tho House lesumed business at 5:30.
READ THIRD TIME AND I'ASSED IN
CONCURRENCE.
S. 23fr-Rekiting to the town of Spring
Hold, chanced to district of Windsor.
With propoaalst of amendment, Passed
under suspension of the ; tiles.
S. 231-HeUtliiK to tho Claieudon Power
coiunanv. .vith iirnpi.-als ol amendment
Head third I"1"' mul l,!,sMd under suspen
sion of He 'i'1'
HEPOUT OI' CONEEHENT'E COMMIT
TEE ADOPTED.
II. 5i "Eclating to the Western Tele
phone cotnpiiiy of Pawlet.
11. Mi--T appropriate money for the
State fair commission mid In aid of agri
cultural fill rr-.
H. M2-To Incorpoiuto the WallltiKford
Telephone company.
On motion of Mr. Pioctor of Proctor
adjournment occurred at 6:17 to S:00 p. m.
SIGNED HV THE GOVKHNOH.
IT. 7. To piovlde for the payment of
lebatis foi advanced Inst ruction.
II. To amend icrtaln sections of the
public statules, relating to schools.
II. Si!'. To prohibit the holding of public
oilleo bv person-) engaged in tho !ltiot'
trait le.
11. JM. To empower the ilsh and gamo
commissioner to erect Msh ways in tlm
dams, at Swanton Falls In tho town ot
Swnntnr.. and at lllghgato Falls in tho
town of Hlghtate.
II. 475. To amend section Ml of tho
public stntules. reining to the division
of highway tax moneys, the uso ot road
making ninchlnerj -"id to provtclo for the
patrol system of maintenance.
II. .MI. To piovlde for the purchase ot
the 1'erti turnpike, so-called.
If. C71. To legall'.e tho grand list and
quadrennial npprnls.it of the town of
Cabot for the years therein named,
II. 6;l To lefr.ilUo the grand list ot
tho town of llutland for tho year 1912.
II. r,S7. To appropriate tho sum of five
hundred dollars for the purpose of se
curing tlie exhibition of the New England
corn show In Vermont.
SENATE EVENIN G.
TlimiJ HEADING HEEESED.
H. 579 To regulate public service cor
porations. II. Silo Uclatlng to Insurance companies
and their agencies.
II. :i."S Helating to prevent the pollution
of the waters of West liver.
JOINT HESOLUTION HEl-'ESED
Ily Mr. Hlanchard of Vv'indsor providing
for a referenndum In 19H on tho question
of direct or preferential primaries, vote
2:: to :i.
Hy Mr. McCuen that the superintendent
investigate as to means to Increasing
school attendance.
TIIIUD HEADING HEEl'SED.
II. 71 Helating to elections, adopted In
concurrence.
Joint resolution relating to pay Walter
L. Hall, amendment refused.
Joint resolution relating to tuberculous
persons.
HOESE AMENDMENT CONCL'HUED
IN.
S. 205 Establishing State detention
farm.
PASSED "WITH PROPOSALS Of
AMENDMENT.
II. 577 Helating to carrying liquors into
manufacturing establishments.
HOUSE EVENING.
on motion of Mr. Hillings of Wood
stock, II. -1S3. relating to publicity of
campaign expenses, was returned
the Senate, as requested.
SENATE HILL REFERRED.
S. 24il Relating to toll bridges.
to
To
committee on highways and bridges.
SENATE PROPOSAL OF AMEND
MENT CONCURRED IN,
H. 71 Relating to the sale and cut
ting of evergreen trees.
11. 307 Relating to the liability of
banks for payment of forged, unau
thorized. .ittei-Hil or raised negoti
able instruments.
II. 57s liei.miig to inheritance taxes
and taxable transfers.
REI'ORT OF COMMITTEE OK Ci N
l-'ERE.VCE HE J ECTED.
11 .".'',3 Helating to tlm regulation
of trade and Inspection of weights
and measures. Substitutes $13,000 for
$15,000. yeas 77. nays SO, and the re
port was rejected. ,
on motion of Mr. Lathe of Crafts-
bury, tho House returned to thu Sen
ate II. 502, relating to fines and costs
in city and municipal courts.
COMMITTEE O.V CONFERENCE EE
CONSIDERED AND ADOPTED.
Mr. Hunt of Wnlthnm moved that
the House reconsider the vote by
which it refused to adopt tlie report
of the committee conference on II.
f.03, the weights and measures bill.
Mr. Ryder explained that if the ic
porl was not accepted, the commis
sioner of weights and measures could
speqd an unlimited sum. The original
bill named J'.'.OOO, tho Senate amended
to rend ?l".O00; the conference eom
mltteo agreed upon 1 1.1,000, ns a prop
er sum to appropriate. Increases sal
ary -J200 per annum.
Mr. Cook of Lyndon favored the re
port, ns dl 1 Mr. Eaton ot Royalton
and Mr. Hovvley of Hurllngton. Mo
tion to reconsider was carried and tho
leport was adopted.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CON
FERENCE ADOPTED.
H. K!2. To provide for the preser
vation and certlf cation of tho deci
sions of the supreme court
Joint resolution by .Mr. O'Hrlen of
South Hurllngton, providing for tlie
payment of the sum of $2,147.41 to
John W. Tltcomb, State fish' and
game commissioner, for money ex
pended by him. Mr. Green of Weston
opposed. .Mr. Donnelly (,f Vergennes
favored nnd tho House refus-ed to
adopt the resolution.
JOINT H ICS o , vi-1 (. s.
Providing lli.it at the March election
in 11113 there shall he Mibihltted to the
people the qiieMions vvh ther they favor
a dliect primary to a caucus and con
vention .system, or a preferential primary
system to a direct piiniaiv or to the
present cam us or convention system. Mr.
Cool; of L.vndon. Mi. Comings of Ittch
ford, Mr. Weeks of Mlddlebur . Mr. lltnv
ley of Huilinglon, Mr. Adams of Marl
boro, Mr. Ahlrleh of St. Johnsbury. Mr.
Koote of Cornwall favored the resolution
and Mr. Donnelly or Vergennes opposed
and the lcsolutlon was adopted.
Joint resolution by Mr. Mm tin of Uen
ulngton, providing Unit a commission of
three person shall be appointed by the
Governor to Inquire Into and Investigate
tho working" of tho employes' liability
and workmen's compensation net hi ac
cordance with requests mudo the em
ployers and employes of this State, tho
commission to report to tho Governor,
tlo commission to wivn without pay hut
to receive necessary expenses, Referred
to tlie committee on Slate and court ex
penses. READ THIRD TIME AND PASSED IN
CONCURRENCE.
S. 210 - Helatlns to toll bridges, Mr, riUti
of Islo l"i Motto objected on the ground
that It wuuld Injuio his town, which owns
a toll bridlie- Tho bill was passed in con
currence. On mutton of Mr Callahan ot Mont.
pUlcr a reccsn of 20 minutes was declared
LEGISLATURE MADE MANY
CHANGES IN
First Three-Party Assembly Set Out to Effect
Statutory Reforms Causes of Delay and
Unprecedented Length of Session. '
INNOVATIONS OF THE 1912 LEGISLATURE
Laws permitting iii(iiests and exceptions by the Suite, in
eriniiiinl en.se.
Etcelroculion substituted Tor hunu'iug in punishment of
nuu'tler.
.luvcnile court created,
"lllne. sky" investment linv.
Veterinuries required to have licenses.
Licensing of pawnbrokers.
Hpeeiit! taxation laws for encouragement of orchni-.l and
forest growing.
I 'inform warehouse receipts net.
rniform negotiable instruments act.
Creation ol commission to overhaul system of education.
Law relating to heating aud ventilation of factories.
Factory inspection law.
Board of conciliation and arbitration.
Limite l hours of labor for women nnd children.
Ten-dollar wage exemption from trustee process.
Law to prevent persons engaged in the liquor traftie from
holding public, office.
Direet or preferential primary law to be decided by ref
erendum. Kegulalion of electric energy generated in tin; Statu to give
Vermont users first chance to buy it at reasonable prices.
Montpeller. Feb. 23 The General As
sembly of 11112 has nt last brought to a
close what is In many respects the most
remarkable M-sslon ever held by a Ver
mont Legislature. No Vermont Legisla
ture has displayed such fixed determina
tion to bring about general improvements
upon existing laws.
While on tho surface tlie most notable
characteristic has been the unprecedented
and imapproaehed live months sitting, tho
leully slgnlllcant thing about It Is tho
remarkable amount of legal refoinis and
con.struetive innovations vclilch It has
added to the statute books, lu view of
these results the long session though still
a fault becomes a fault more easily for
given. Tlie reform In the method of rail
road taxation alone will certainly net the
State more than twice the cost of the
extra length of session The p.-utle ular
refoim along with many otheis was made
pewslhle by the fact that Veiniont had a
business Governor experienced enough to
treat tho larger businesses wltti Justice
nnd force them to be sincere with tho
State.
The Intel est attaching to tills Legisla
ture was largely due to its three-putty
make-up. Not In recent years has there
been another three-party Legislature; nor
has there been another Leglslattir. it;
which paity lines were distinguishable, lu
the past democrats and republicans once In
Montpeller have been accustomed to for
get that they were paity men and re
member only that they were Vermonlers.
Even this year, in many important mat
ters, notably In dealing with the tax
question, republican, democrat and pro
gressive on one side fought lepubll
can, democi.it and progre.-sive on thu
other, unconscious of any party align
ment. CAUSES OF LONG SESSION.
The new condition was felt most
through the peislstent attempt of certain
new parly members to make party cap
ital from tho debates, bills and toll calls.
It was no uncommon tiling to see one of
the managers of the new party slip quiet
ly Into the Hiiu.se, send a page with. notes
to one or two of the piogtvs.-ive mem
bers and retire for a whlspen-d con
ference, alter winch some dramatic scene
would be enacted on tin- Moor. This was
inteiesting and i idlvened thy, sessions.
The objection was Unit It took lime.
If would be untalr to chut go a minority
paity Willi so serious an offense u.- caus
ing the length of sess-ion. Then weie
manv causes vvoi king togelhei to produce
that result. Hut the tact remains that
thhv did much to prolong It. To say that
Mr. Cook and Ml. Jose, the two piosies
mvc representatives m . In evidence,
took up muie time and occasioned more
delay than any SO of the 210 other mem
bers would probably be an exaggeration,
but It would not be a great exaggera
tion. Til,, gieatest factor in prolonging the
length of session, was not so much the
result of the three-paitv feature of this
Assemble, as it was .something which
accompanied it and sprang from tlie same
.souiees. Tills factor may best be defined
as that mutual suspicion which paralyzes
action in any body of men. It seemed to
lie too much the policy to le lleve everv
man a liar until he wis proven beyond a
leasonable doubt to be honest. Tho re
sult was that much minor business which
might lgive been disposed of on tho ap
proval or disapproval of some reliable
committee, was repeatedly held up so
that everybody might go through tho mo
tions of looking Into II,
CO NSTRUCTl VE ACCOM PL1 SUM EXT.
Hut asldn from breeding this paralyzing
spirit of suspicion tlie Indications are
that tho recent shake-up has done Ver
mont good. It lias certainly benolited
Vermont's majority party. With thu
single exception of tho publicity of cam
paign expenses net thjw republican Legis
lature has lived up to every out and out
pi onouncement of an extremely progres
sive platform. And that failed by tho
merest mischance after each houso hud
passed such a measure. It has gone far
beyond what the platform demanded. The
republican Governor has shown a re
markable combination of courage, abll
Itv, devotion to the best interests of the
whole State and constructive force In
rallying out his Ideas. And the Stato lias
been wisely guided through a time of
ilangeions ludlcallsm, yielding to the cur
lent where yielding wa.s proper and fear
lessly breasting it where to yield would
be contrary to sound principles and good
sense.
The work of enacting piogresslvo legis
lation lias been carried on vigorously and
yet without that hysteria which usually
accompanies such efforts. It was a hard
task. It has taken time too much time,
It may be Hut It lias been accomplished.
The locoul of huvB passed, and promises
lived up lo, is an excellent cine, It la like
ly that no single Vermont Legislature has
eunctcd s much Important new law, And
yet on the whole the Innovations are
good.
Laws lestialiitriK and regulating Individ
nub) and corporations for the public good
mo tho verv gospel ot progi esslveness.
Tills republican-led Legislature enacted
tho following: S. 117. a law regulating
tho rallrouds in thu matter of demurrage
charges, H.2!jl,,rnfore'lni; unUoiin standard
provisions In health aud accident Insur
cnee policies; H. 19.'. regulating and super
vising Investment cuiupnnlfs beinp an at-
tempt to protect tlie Investing public ot
this State by requiting an examination
GENERAL LAW
of investments to lie sold here; II, 413, ,1
law for the licensing of pawnbrokers; H.
i!d, providing further safeguards upon thu
practice of dentlstrv, II. II, icgulatlng
the practice of veterinary science and pro
viding for the licensing or veterlnaries;
and, after Dr. Wiley's heart, S. 14$, a
pure food and druss act, and S. 117, to
prevent the misbranding of drugs; nnd to
pusli tlin matter still farther, II. 17B, en
forcing sanii.t-v conditions lu the sale of
bread and cake. These laws are not all
of the greatest relative importance, but
they show the modern drllt
An Important law regulating private in
terests for the public good is S. 177, re
lating to the sale and distribution of elec
tric energv. This law eonpels power com
panies In the State to furnish power at
reasonable terms to meet the local de
mand. It Is an effective piotectlon ngnlntt
having the power of our water falls car
ried off to enrich other States. With this
law on Its statute hooks Vermont need
fear no waterpower trm-t or robbery ot
white coal.
FOR STATE DEVELOPMENT
About the sanest element in this legis
lation of readjustment Is the constantly
Increasing tendency toward State develop
ment by the fosteiing and encouragement
ot material resources so that the wealth
of communities may be greater and living
better. In other wouls, the modern State
takes upon Itself not only the burden of
self government as regaids home affairs,
but of : olf. development. And as a rule
vhen States take up this work, it is
taken up In a veiv far-sighted way.
In accord with this policy were a num
ber of forestry laws including II. 173, to
piovlde for State forests which carries
with t an annual appropriation ef $7,r00
tor the piircha.se of land for fo'est re
serves. Another forestry law was Jl. ."2, .1
taxation law to encourage forest growing
by taxing tin- land as unimproved until
the timber has bad time to grow to har
vestablo size and then enabling the State
to share In the returns. II. 121 is a tax
law operating along tlie same lines with
legard to ore. haul lands. H. 5"5- carries
with it an appropriation to enable tho
Stale university to go over the State con
ducting agricultural courses in villages
and on the farms, so that It the farmer
cannot or will not come tt tlie college, the
college may come to the fanner. H. 170
provides an unlimited appioprintion for
war upon the brown tall and gypsy moths
which have destroyed millions of dollars
worth of pioperty in other States and
from Massachusetts have begun to make
inroads upon Vermont. Another law cre
ates the office of State ornithologist. And
II. HV, creates tlie office of live.-tock eom
u lsslouer.
Other new laws tending toward ma
terial development of the State's re
sources, include S. nil for ascertainment
of the State's waterpower sites and de
termination of methods of developing
them, and S. 91, vvhleh provides vvheie
wlthul for co-operation with the national
government In ontalnhig tho detailed to
pographical and geographical survey and
charts helpful In the work of waterpower
devi'lr.pment. Mntcial wellbrlng hero In
Vermont Is in great miasure dependent
upon having good loads for the convey
ance of the tanner's pioduce as well ns
to attract tourists. This Legislature has
appropriated tho unprecedented sum of
.'20.COi) for road work. Ily reason of tho
excellent policy of using local materials
and labor pursued bv Vermont's veteran
road commissioner, this money will go in
a doublo sense to the enrichment of the
people in many parts of tlie State.
HUMAN CONSERVATION
In tho Held of penal reforms this Legis
lature has dono good work. It has passed
a bill, II. 40U, substituting electrocution
for tho old death penalty of hanging. An
other act which is not only liumano hut
a real advance toward hpman conserva
tion by way ot sentences designed to ro
form rather than punish Is II. 1.19, creat
ing 11 juvenile court with tho powers
ami purposes of n. wise parent, nnd utiliz
ing the .nidges of probate as Juvenile
court judges
In tills matter of human conservation as
well as In the care of unfortunates tho
Leglslatuio has pursued a broad and lib
eral policy. II. L'CG, uppropiiates u sum up
to $30.ofi for tho care of deaf, dumb and
blind chlldieii. S. HV. authorizes towns to
appropriate for public playgrounds. H.
SW alms at tlie preservation of llfo b'
requiring electric cars to be equipped with
airbrakes. And in tlie enactment ot labor
laws the expectations and demands ot the
most devoted labor advocates have been
exceeded.
In labor legislation of late years .1 num
ber of innovations have been worked out
which on tho whole tend to better social
conditions nnd raise tho tone of living
among labor communities, lu sumo in
stances these may seem to trespass
against tho m red rights ot the individual,
but in the ilnal analysis it Is doubtful
If they will have dono any harm and
well nigh certain that they will have
done good.
LAHOH AND EDUCATION.
The most liupoilant labor act is H. 230,
the factory Inspection act. Tho ellleaey
of all the laws relating to conditions and
hours of labor really depends upon tho
existence of a law of this kind, H. 5W or
etlrNPa boaid of conciliation and arbitra
tion, alms at the peaceful adjustment ot
labor troubles and sluco oath tldcs must
call upon th" board before It can Inter
cede lu a strike, thu board can huldly bo
mi instrument of oppression H SV5 pro
vides for tlie heating unci ventilation ot
factories, S. 1 nffordB tho workman tim
much-desired $10 wage exemption tfrom
trusteo process, and nnothnr Senato bill
limits tho working days of women and
children In factories to an aggregate ot
uO hourw lu tho week.
A permissive workmen's camponsatlon)
meaitiro wus not in tho republican plat
form, Elncn that Instrument only favored
thu passage of an out and out compensa
tion measure! "at tho earliest moment tli.i
constitution will permit." Still both em
ployers and employes desired the meas
ure and certain prominent and ambitious
members of the Senato who fought .t
tooth anil nail are to be condemned
Another department of the Held of In
man conservation Is education Indl
tlons are that tho educational system of
tho Stato Is to undergo a geniral over
hauling from thu top down. Early In the
session there passed a Joint resolution
framed in response to a messago from
Governor Fletcher, vvhlc called for tho
appointment by the Governor of an
ucatlonal commission to investlgato aid
repoit upon the educational syrtetn of D-'i
Stato and recommend for Its betterment.
This commission of very distinguished
gentlemen Is still conducting Its invent -gatlon.
II. K23 created a board of educa
tion which has general sunervlflnn of tho
secondary schools of tho State. Tho Ieg
iplattirn has appropriated largely toward
the support of the, Stato university and
other educational bodies.
KISH AND GAME CODE.
A work of legislation which interests
many inliaUtantH of Vermont unci will be a(
lasting convenience is the fish and wmo
law codification, It. 471, which brings t -gethtr
into a consistent whole tho fish nnd
gamo laws which havo 'form- rly be- u
scattered through tho statutes. Reside
some changi s designed to lmprovo upon
the old law this code restates It In tho
form of 11 simple and unified set of direc
tions telling the llshorman and hunter
! what they mav do, Instead of leaving
' them mystified by tho numberless frag
I mentarv rub s u. to what r.ot to do which
the old law presented. This is pronounced
by those who know to bo on a par with
tho best and most up-to-date same laws
in the country-
Compaiatlvi ! liquor laws hava
been enacted thi" v ar. Hut the attitude
ot both oodles en iiucsUons of this kind
has been mod, rat-- and conscientious. Hy
far tin- u ue-1 important and wholesomo
law in th - ' onneetion enacted in recent
years is II. ".fl, which alms at tho com
plete separation of the liquor traffic from
politics. Doubt-less thU end i-5 unattain
able, but tho law is a step in tho rigot
llrectlon. This law makes it practical'
Impossible for .1 man to hold a Urease or
work in a saloon and at the same timn
hold public office. Another lmportanl
change in tin: liquor law Is H. 11G pfo-
vidlns for a sepurato vote at March elec.
Hons on tho giantlng of druggists' licen-
ses instead ot binding up tills Issue w-"t
the whole big saloon question.
ELECTORAL REFOltMS
V great element of tho hue and cry
which have accompanied tho uplift move
ment In this country has been the demand
for electoral reforms. The majority of
change:-! thus demanded have had somo
basis of good .sense, although the wilder
sehemiss, such as the initiative, referen
dum and recall are nold by almost all
serious thinkers to bo In principle un
sound nnd t-' no value except as bait
in the hands of the demagogue. It is es
sential that a distinct line be drawn be
tween concoctions of this kind and valid
and needed repairs, additions and read
lustments of the maminerv ot govern
ment. Tlie Republican party platform con
tained tlie statement "wo favor tho adop
tion of some practical system Vor tho
cholt'H of candidates for pnblli office)
which shall directly express that tthu
popular) will." Implicitly tins seemc I to
call for either a direct or preferential
primary law. Herculean efforts were put
forth for tho passage of such a bill.
Prai tleally every prominent republican
was working for somo such measure, and
of course tho progressives favored some
thing of tho kind. A number of such bills
passed the Senate, which is usually re
garded as tho conservative branch of thu
Legislature. Five measures of tills kind
were killed by the House, the people'3
branch. This was probably due to tho
Impression which had gone abroad that
would diminish the inlluence of the small
towns. An extension of this principle to
the election of United States senators
which was indorsed by Moth houses, was
really much more radical than the gen
eral bills. Finally tho best the leaden?
could do to save their pledgo was tha
passage of a vote, providing for a refer
endum. An important change In tho mcro ma
chinery of elections is Instituted by H.
3M, which lessens the chances of a dead
lock In tho election of town renresenta
tives by makinj; a plurality vote declsivo
after tlio third ballot.
Some of tlm most important work ot
tho session was dono In tho remedy of
certain long-standinsr defects In tho Judi
cial machinery. H. 121, empowering tho
judges of county courts to hold Inquests
fdr tlie discovery of ovldenco in criminal
cases, must provo of tremendous asslst
anco in bringing criminals to Justice.
And scarcely less important is S. 130, giv
ing tlio State the right to take exceptions
in criminal cases.
r.I PROVED ADMIN ISTR ATIOK,
No class of legislation among all tho
newly enacted laws Is moro notablo for
real worth than tho statutes tending to
promote efficiency of methods and udmln
IstraUon. H, 4C0. creatine the ofTIca of
purchasing agent, merely does for tho
Stato what every well-managed corpora
tion has long Blnco dono for Itself, by ar
ranging: for tho purchaso of supplies In
largo quantities and by an expert pur
chaser. H. 232 and II. 452. tho laws
changing tho method of taxation ot rail
roads, have already boon mentioned. Thcso
laws should net the State an unuual rev
enue gain of nearly $2n0,000. H. 259, which
provides that county financial reports
shall be permanent and accessible, is a
fair example of a number of wholesomu
statutes putting tho system ot Stato woik
on a business basis.
Reside these there Is an almost endless
number of laws of miscellaneous nature
including laws extending tho lights of
married women, and somo probato
changes, one o,f which provides that wills
may be guatded from loss by beins put
on tile at the probate- office, thereby pro-
hlbltins a catastrophe dear to the road- '
era of novel and melodrama. And thu
lawmaker.- havu oven achieved tho im
possible and enacted u tax law.
It was almost providential that at this
time ot radical tendencies 'V. . rmont should
havo in the Governor's chatr ono of tho
most clear-headed and experienced busi
ness men In tho country. From start to
close the work of tho session bus been
dominated by business principles. Ex
iruviiganeo has been curbed by veto
wlierci nocessary and by hints whero
hints wuuld suffice. Attempts ot busi
nesses to gain undun privileges and ad
vantages from tho ' Stato havo been met
and trustrat4 by equal shrewdness and
busln.sB imderstandlns. Demagogic and
suicidal efforts at Injustice to tho busi
nesses, which after all nr0 tho greatest
factor In our prosperity, havo been sized
up at their true value and discouraged.
