Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-10-11
THE pRoHIRIroRY IIoroR IAw.

Mr.. Blackmer of Stockbridge each think
that the prohibitory law can be improved.
lie wants (H. 81 to nave the furnishing Of
distilled or unfermented liquors-even
cider-at private houses to minors forbid
den without the written consent of the
parent or guardian. If this bill should
become law it might get some hospita-
BILE soul. who gave young fellow of 90
glass Of new cider at dinner, into bal
scrape, for it cannot be supposed that every
man will carry around with him the con.
sent of his parent or guardian in readiness
for such contingencies. Senator Cranes
bill Is. 10y provides fine of ten dollars
and costs, and an Imprisonment of not less
than two months or more than six months
for each offence. Judge Thompson desires
to fix the punishment at Imprisonment of
not less than three months or more than
two years, for each offence of selling, etc.
and makes the penalty for manufacturing
at not less than one year or more than five
1edlS. 1uOSo alo Colodtuiy otlHlScHl
measures.
THE HIGHWAY LAW.
The general committee of the House, of
which the Hon. Lovelaud Munson, of
Manchester, is chairman, gave II public
hearing in the large committee room of
the State House. this evening, upon the
bill introduced by Mr.. French of Under
hill (H. p, which repeats the present law
(popularly known as the Judevinc law
and establisha, the old damage act. The
room was crowded with senators an | rep
resentatives, and the speakers who OPP.
posed restoring the damage act GALL but
two) were frequently applauded. Mr..
French himself was the first speaker. lie
said that Massachusetts, Connecticut and
New Hampshire had damage act, and
by that means theirs was in good repair
He claimed that the operation of the pres
ent Ia W was unsatisfactory to the people,
inasmuch as the roads had deteriorated
rapidly since its passage. Instead Of
working the greatest good for the greatest
number, it worked the greatest bad. The
people wanted law which should prorect
them while travelling. The Judevine law
with its cumbrcus machinery, did not.
The R,v. Mr.. sSherburno, thu member
from Rochester, believed that some sec
tons of the Judevine law nigh. be modi.
fed; but he favored trying the law two
years more, as the old law hid become
obnoxious to the people and they did no,
want it restored.
Mr.. Rooney, of Fairfield. said hut to his
knowledge nine tenths OF the people OF
his town approved the Judevine Law.
NJ. Cushing, of Hartford, in opposition
to Mr.. French, cited several cases OF fraut
under the damage act, and said the old law
was IN encouragement to gross imposition
upon towns.
Me.srs, Partridge, of Norwich, Shepard
of Straff)rd. Jones, of Dover, Miller, Of
Willston, Woodland, of Halifax, Fish, Of
Ira. Barnard, of Winhall, Bridgman, Of
Barton, Sherman, of Jsmeicl, and Robin.
son, of Wardsboro; Senators Cutting, OF
Westminster, and Childs, of Wallingfo:d
spoke against Mr.. French's bill. Mr.. John
son, of Fayston, was the only speaker who
entirely sided with Mr.. French. He thought
that the roads were kept in better condition
under the old law, because towns feel theil
responsibility.
Senator Burnap of Burlington, who i
one of the county road commissioner!
under the Judevne law for Chittender
county, said that he had been called out t,
act du ring the last:two years and had ;
chance TO see the practical operation o
the law. In relatiou1to the power of the
commissioners.to order the repairs of the
highways, he wasSconvinced that it WIS
not wise to leave in the hands of any
three men the absolute power of saying
how, when and where money shall b,
expended. He thought the new law wa
commended by some monSthrough igno
rance of its practical operation. 1t wa
very Imperfect sand needed considerable,
reform ttion, rs to s,machinery. GRAY,
questions have arisen rs to the constitu
tionality Of the law. rs he hopel the com
mit.ee would sean it closely AMI make tn
necessary changes in the constitution.
needed many amendments for it wa
Gu mi rous and unwieldy.
SCIENTIFIC TEMPERANCE EDUCATION,
Senator Dart. of Ascutneyville. hasl
roduced bill providing for scientiii
temperance instruction in our schools
: and this evening Mrs. NJ. II. Hunt {
Boston, lectured on the subject, under tn
auspices Of the Woman's Christian Ten
perancc Union, in Representatives Hal
The hall was we'll filled with IN appreci
tive audience. Mrs. Hunt is "a pleasin
1 speaker and understands her subject tho
oughly.
ENLARGEM OF TIE DIVORCE LAW.
OuiSc LhOlnpoOu - III ItNJl vi auilu
3 habitu,l drunkenness to tn aluscs f,
which divorce may be granite |, and tn
Judiciary committee Of the House hlvo re
ported in favor of bill whlch he inr,
duced to that enl. 1t will b. passed t,
morrow, The judge also wants the parti'
in divorces to be allowed to testify VIVA
ever cause my be alleged. NV ptrtie
: can only testify when thu clu'e il intole
: able severity or wlful desertiOn
IN GENERAL.
Several other bill have boen intro lace
on variety of comparatively unimppl
y tant subjects, which will never see Il
light agIin, and which have not notice,
A great many people think tint the wor!
can be reforme by act OF the legislat are
and at every session numerous bills al
introduced to remedy fanciod evils whc
} are of no earthly account. The, commi
tees have now begun their work, and L
) next week time can give you some
: the results Of legislation, hope.