The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-11-21
Legislature OF Vermont.
Wednesday. November ID.
sENATF-MoRNING

means to develop the same; agriculture.
II. &C. to authorize Morristown, Stowe and
Waterbury to aid in the construction OF the
Mt Mansfield railroad; railroads. ii. 100,
in addition to chap. 104, Revised Laws, re-
lating to the custody of wills; judiciary.
III. 122, to promote the dairy interests OF
Vermont; agriculture. II. 161, relating to
taxation; judiciary. III. 1876, relating to
mechanics liens on personal property;
judiciary. ii. 227, to enable Plymouth to
issue its bonds for the purpose of funding
its Indebtedness; finance.
Passed.-S. 90, to amend sec 30l3, r. L.,
relating to laying out winter roads. s. lO6,
relating to compensation OF persons APP
pointed by the governor under joint resou-
ton of the legislature. S. 1874, changing the
fiscal year. Adjourned.
HoUsE-MoRNING.
Bill Iiltroduced.-By Mr.. Ball of Rocking
ham, IL. 442, to extend statute on Sunday
observance, making it apply until midnight
of Sunday instead of sunset as now
Rdiirodd Commission Salary BW.-Mr. Boy
den spoke in favor of the report against
Mr. Walbridge's bill to reduce the salary to
Sc day. He stated that the total amount of
expenditure was only tritle over half the
appropriation. Mr.. Ball of Rockingham
also spoke against a reduction. Mr.. Wal
bridge of Concord thought the best men in
the state could be had for SO day at
any time. He himself only received that,
not enough to pay his expenses. The Hunt
ington fund had all been used up and was
permanent debt on the state Other ex-
penses had arisen from the creation of new
offices. The board was only board of
coroner's inquest that was about all it
did. Mr.. Howard of Fairhaven opposed the
reduction. Economy was good enough, but
it should not be carried to the extent of
meanness. No doubt, there were men
enough in the state who would be glad to
do the work for a dollar day Indeed,
some might be so anxious to do it for the
honor of it that the state might reap pc
cuniary benefit by selling such offices at auc-
ton to the highest bidder. He hoped the bill
would not pass. Mr. Proctor was opposed.
He thought it was the duty of the legisla-
ture to stay the hands of the commissioners,
who stood between the people and the rail-
roads for the adjustment of so many claims.
That the passage of this bill meant a back
ward step which was unwise and not in &C.
cordance with the recommendations OF the
retiring governor to perfect rather than ere
ate legislation Mr.. Prouty of Newport OPP
posed. Passage refused. Yeas, GA; nays,
116
Passsd.-H 3O4, relating to burial grounds.
il. 339, changing time of Addison county
, court, December term.
Kaied.-S. 1S, in relation to election of
town officers, by vote of 1872 nays to AZ
yeas. III. 81 horse railroad bill. H. 113,
to pay John McAnn sum named. II. 232,
the tent caterpillar bill.
Ordered TO Third Redding.-H. 1856, to pay
j. Barton 1854. II. 1874, to pay G. n. Cove
S194.11. II. 215, to prevent discrimination
by telephone companies. Adjourned until
three p. NJ.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Unfinished Businesses, 81, for the relief
of families of insane persons, was taken
from the table and passed. Adjourned
HoUsE-AFTERNooN.
Bills PaSSed.-H. 440, changing time of
holding supreme court in the several coun-
ties named.
II. SO, relating to woman suffrage in mu-
nicipal elections was taken up as special
order. Mr.. Marsh of Woodstock, chairman
of the judiciary committee, explained the
provisions of the bill and argued for the alb
stract rights involved therein. AS long as
women have rights and privileges in the
moneyed corporations of the state, he
thought they ought to be allowed similar
rights in political corporations. He stated
that he was unable to number the thousands
of petitions referred to his committee. Mr..
Ballard of Burlington said the bill involved
something else than the " almighty dollar"
for which he was glad; that the
bill was right and therefore iexpedient;
that the question was ancient and had
knocked at all the doors of the legisla-
lures of many countries for recognition, and
the question now is in Vermont, Shall the
tax-paying women in Vermont have the
right to vote?" that the object of this bill
was to destroy tyranny due from taxation
without representation; to carry out the
doctrine of the fundamental principles of
our government; that the ballot ought not
to be taken from woman because she has
influence in other ways; that as far
as they are qualified by nature and train
ing, twelve Vermont women would kick
the beam against 10000 New York
city voters in the scale pan; that woman
would not be dragged down by association
with man, and that no man ought to 60
where the woman can not go, and vice versa;
that the presence of woman would destroy
in time the existence of improper places;
that no evidence appears to show that COM
munities have degenerated by the adoption
of woman suffrage; that reason why all
women didn't want to vote was because it
was a matter of education.
Mr.. Ballard closed by saying that il this
bill is passed the members would place
themselves alongside of President Lincoln,
Seward and others.
Mr. Eldridge of Middlebury said as
another once said, that the house was I'M
able to do business and therefore he moved
to adjourn. That the house might not take
him for a cynic, he said, he was nurtured
by a woman, taught " Now i lay me-" and
held most sacred her influence; that, as the
house might not know where he stood on
this question, he was opposed to the passage
of this bill [cheers]; that several members
and voters signed the petitions referred to
in order to get rid of the women but We're
opposed to it; that the women would say
here to-day, if asked, that they were bound
to be protected and were willing to entrust
their cares to man; that women were made to
be mothers, nurses, teachers, and as such
cannot do these duties in addition to those of
man. that by marriage, man and woman
became one flesh and as one body ought not
to be entitled to more than one vote that
he would like to ask some of the champions
of the bill how they would like to see their
wives chosen town listers next March, pro-
vided their bill is enacted, and going around
through mud and mire, while they stayed
at home and administered soothing syrup
10 the youngest member of the family.
(Cheers.) He then explained the absurdi-
ties liable to arise with women upon the floor
OF this house
Mr. Mann of Wilmington followed, speak
ing in favor of the bill. He said he was
surprised to hear the argument advanced
here that the women should be denied the
right of suffrage because they were for tenn
perance; that 1t was not consistent with ouI
legislation to vote down this measure on
that ground; that our duties did not consist
of politics. Most of us are obliged to work
from morning till night, but as a privilege
we are allowed to take few hours to pass
upon subjects of public concern. Grant