Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-11-24
THE LEGLSLATURE.
THE GRAND LIST BILL-THE SUPPRESSION
OF RUN sELLING-woMAS SUFFRAGE
THE RE-MAPPING PROJECT.

THE GRAND LIST BILL-THE SUPPRESSION
OF RUN sELLING-woMAS SUFFRAGE
THE BE-MAPPING PROJECT.
MONTPELIER, W., Nov. 81, 1876.
Editors of ThDni1. II the number of
remedies proposed for an evil is any index
of its magnitude, then clearly that portion
OF our laws which relates TO the grand
list is the one which most needs attention.
1t is also the one which is found most diff
cult to change, with prospect that a change
would be for the better. Most Of the plans
thus far submitted, whether for the pur-
pose Of relieving that portion Of the COM
munity too much taxed, or Increasing the
burdens Of that portion not taxed enough,
are thought to be alike impracticable. The
House Grand Lis; Committee, after a care
rul consideration OF all the plans referred
TO them, have reported bill which meets
with much favor and will probably pass
the House. 1t provides that each lister,
before entering upon his duties, shall take
an oath thai he will eppraise at its true
cash value, all personal property aud real
estate in his town, and ailixes fine OF fifty
dollars for auy neglect on the part of listers
to carry out the strict provisions of the law;
also that each taxpayer shall make out, on
a blank furnished him for the purpose, a
true list Of his personal property aud debts
owing, and shall make oath to the correct
ness OF the same also that If any person
neglect or refuse to make out such list
and swear 10 the correctness of the same,
the listers shall add fry per cent 10 what
Ia ha La al raf
| property. Such law would certainly re-
lieve listers of til, disagreeaJe and usual
practice Of taking the lists OF moneyed men,
! by asking them how much it will do TO as
stss them and not have them get mad
One OF The most exciting debates OF The
session occurred in the House 10. day, over
bin providing for the suppression Of the
sale of Intoxicating liquors. The original
bill provided that the penalty for the first
oiIense should be imprisonment. The Ju-
dietary committee, TO whom II was refer
red, recommended that it be so amended
that the first oflense he punishable by a
fine, and the second by imprisonment.
The question was upon the adoption Of the
am endment,-in favor Of which II was ar
gued that the efficiency Of the law would
be impaired by making its requirements
too strict; it was claimed in opposition
that liquor-seling is a crime, and that the
person committing IL is just as deserving
OF punishment for the first oflense as is the
person committing any other crime. The
amendment was finally agreed to by a
small majority. Tie bill will undoubted-
ly become law, and thus the liquor-seller
be brought one step nearer 10 tho county
jail, If the law be enforced.
The Senate to-day passed the bill intro
duced by Senator Butterfeld, providing
that all female taxpayers Of the age OF
twenty-one years and upwards, shall have
the right TO vote in all school district meet
inss and in all elections for school officers
in town meetings. Some of the friends Of
the bill are fearful that il will not pass the
House, many members OF that body hold
ing that ii will either have the fleet to OF.
fer bounty on spinslers, or cause married
women to demand the right TO be taxed.
The committee on Mr. Henry's re.map-
ping bill are holding nightly sessions, and
ting evidence in relation 10 distances
from county seals, and facilities for reach
ing them. The opponents Of the bill have
been feeling somewhat down from the fact
that strong petitions in its favor have late
ly been received from Rockingham and
Cavendish, two towns which have hitherto
been strongly in opposition. But 1t leaked
out last evening that both petitions were
obtained through representations to the
Bellows Falls people that the bill would be
so amended that the county seat OF the new
Windsor county would probably be located
there, and TO the CaveIdish people that it
would probably he located in their town.
l hardly think that Mr.. Henry now ex-
poets favorable report from the commit
tee, as he has introduced another bill pro-
vlding that Windsor county shall hereafter
have two shires, one Of which shall be
Chester. or course if he can make this
work be will be satisfied for this year, as it
will he good entering wedge for the ac-
complishment of his designs on the north
ern part Of Windham county hereafter.
Al! the Judges Of the Supreme Court,
and the State Superintendent Of Education
were reelected this afternoon.