Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-11-01
The Legislature.

The present legislature is not given 10
over much talking though now and then
an uuimportant bill stirs somebody up so
that it gets more than its reasonable share
Of discussion. But thus far in the session,
rs 4 rule, debate has been mainly upon
matters deserving it and when the subject
has been sufficiently discussed it is dispos-
ed Of. There is less tendency than usual
10 order things to lie and the result is that
Ethe workof the session is more than usually
well in hand. 1t is true that but few
measures Of any moment have gone
through the final steps and become laws,
gu. the work of the several committees Is
done promptly and the legislation in prog
ress is in advanced stages so that the next
two weeks will see much of it completed.
TIE MEAKER CASE.
Mr.. Huntley's bill for the Communication
# the sentence of Almon Meaker is still in
the hands of the judiciary committee and
the second hearing was had in Represen-
atiycs Hall last evening, At the prior
hearing Sheriff Anterior, Hon. w. II. H.
bingham and others testified more partic-
ululy to the kind of boy Almon was as to
men al capacity and conduct. last even
/ ing evidence was put in to show that
Amon was dominated by his mother.
| The whole case shows that the old woman
was ugly us sin, that she was the mover
aud head in the murder, and that outside
Of this affair nothing has been known
against Almon. But what the committee
and legislature will say should be his
doom does not yet appear. 1t is for them
to determine whether the domination of
the mother over the son shall tighten his
punishment for the most atrocious murde r
ever known in Vermont.
TIE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
There is not much said as yet as 10 any
OF The amendments proposed by the
legislature of 1880 except the one pro.
hibiting the manufacture and sale of
intoxicating liquor. 1t seems that David
Nicholson of Rutland was the original
'eomposer'' of this amendment and he
has been before the judiciary committee
defending it. At the same hearing Mrs.
Greene Of st. Adams for the womans
Christian temperance union advocated the
amendment OF the amendment if possible
and its defeat in case 1t cannot be amended.
Her argument was that it was an implied
license for native wines and cider and she
was afraid that isadoption would interfere
with the enforcement of legislation against
them. Senator Walker of Rutland per-
tinenlly asked whether the adoption of
this amendment does not close the doors
against my solutions Of the liquor ques-
ion except tho two of prohibition OF free
rum.
The first proaihitory law VIC believe
WAS HAT Of Maine adopted in August
lHlG About ten years later that state
dropped back to license for Il year or two
bat has since hld prohibition again In
Vermont the first prohibitory law was
passed in 1916 to be in Effect if the voters
should ratify it each year at the March
meetings. In March 1917 by majority
of some 5000 this state voted "no license"
and for IL year prohibition was tho law.
In 1913 the state voted license by AZ ma.
jory. In 1919 ono license by 1000
and in 1850 also by a large majority. In
the full Of 1850 the no license doctrine
was put permanently en- the statute book
and in 1852 the prohibitory law, which in
substance still exists, was submitted to the
people and adopted in Feb 1858 by II vote
Of = 00O to $1,000 in round numbers.
Now il is attempted to pat the doctrine
MO the constitution.