Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-11-04


ed to aid in the matter to an amount not
exceeding $4,000. The treasurer of the
county is empowered and directed to CON
vey the present court house and Jail to
the town OF Newfane after the completion
of the new buildings. The bill is regard
ed here as a masterpiece of construction,
in the line of placating opposition, and at
the same time ample in its provisions to
accomplish the change of location, the pur-
chase of sites, and the getting in of the
foundations for the new plant.
The woman's suffrage bill was taken up
several days ago and, at the suggestion of
Mr.. Stafford of st. Johnsbury, made the
special order for Wednesday forenoon
Judge Read suggested that the date fixed
was "woman's day and that an impartial
consideration of the measure could hardly
be expected at that time but the house
recognized the fitness of the date. Every
extra seat was occupied by the visiting
wives and daughters and the surroundings
could not well be more inspiring to the
speakers. Mr.. Stafford made the main
argument for the BILL which was not along
the usual well-worn lines. but was confn-
ed largely to the proposition that ques-
ton of right and justice was involved and
could be settled only in one way. Govern
or Dale then made a short, crisp speech in
favor of the women and was followed by
Mr.. Martin, Mr.. Darling of Chelsea, Mr..
Enright Mr.. Barber of Arlington, and
/ 10 a.,
same side. Mr.. Martin Intercepted the
committee as to the effect that the meas
ure would have on the "secrecy of the bal
lot" stating that on this and one or two
other points, he had some misgving, but
that on the whole, while formerly opposed
to the principle, he had now come to re-
gard it in a different light. One member
tried to amend the bill so as to permit the
women to hold Office, claiming that in so
doing he had their interests solely at heart,
| but his motive was not so construed by the
house. The bill passed by vote of $40 to
| SO. 1t reads:
Sec 2G4i Of the Revised Laws is amended so
! as to read follows: Citizens male and female,
| twenty one years of age whose lists taken in
any town at the annual assessment next preceding
] a
empt from taxation from any cause, shall. while
| residing in the town, bee voters in the town meet
! ing
The senate has heretofore been depend
ed on to kill all bills of this nature that
get through the house, but is liable to take
a new departure this year
The house committee on the grand list
are still struggling with the problem of
double taxation. The proposition to set
the mortgager's interest in the grand list as
so much real estate, making him joint
owner, so to speak, runs against a snag in
the savings banks. 1t is proposed to eX
empt the savings banks from the seven
tenths of one per cent corporation tax on
so much of their assets as are invested in
Vermont mortgages, at the same time
making the mortgages taxable locally to an
extent varying from one per cent to three
per cent, according to the rate of taxation
in different towns in which they are placed.
This plan would seem to make it difficult
for borrowers to supply their needs in the
towns of higher taxation. In Jamaica the
taX-rate is said to be three per cent, while
in Vernon and Brooklne it is one per cent
or less. The Jamaica borrower would
quite likely find money tight, while his
more fortunate neighbors would be able to
supply their wants easily. Then again it
is supposed that the savings banks would
be less willing to place their funds where
the average rate of taxation is at least one
and half per cent than to invest in per-
sonal securities and outside mortgages on
which they would pay less than one-half
that rate. And it might happen that in
trying to relieve the borrower on real es-
tate security conditions would be created
that would make it difficult for him to Dor
row at any rate.
1t seems that the committee on high
ways and bridges were not fully in &C
cord in all the features of the highway
bill mentioned in this correspondence a
week ago, and one of them has since in
troduced bill substantially like the other,
with the exception that towns may elect
one to three road commissioners who are
not required to give bonds and whose COM
pensation shall be fixed by the selectmen.
The state road tax of five per cent, to be
divided on the basis of road mileage, seems
to be a popular feature in the house but
may meet opposition in the senate, as a
majority of the members of that body live
the larger towns.
Windham county is well represented on
the special committee on the Rutland city
charter, in Judge Read, and Mr.. Ware OF
Brookline. The legislature have author
lied the committee to visit Rutland and
summon and examine witnesses. Through
the courtesy of Mr. Hewitt of Putney
! house chairman of the reform school com
mittee, several of the Windham county
members visited that institution at Yer
gennes last week with the committee. They
8 report being much interested and surprised
in the character and management of tn,
. school. Everything of course was at it,
best as company was expected, but the ex
6 ercises to which the visitors listened
showed that the inmates had far better ad
vantages in an educational line than tn,
average boy outside.
E Other of the county members visited tn
Agricultural college at Burlington will
that committee and were much interested
among other things, in the dairy schoo
now in session there. A six-weeks' cOurs
, | =, .L;s sohooI with M exDense pxceDt 70