Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-11-10
From Thursdays Daily FREQ Press. |


MpyrpEMER Nov. 2.-"Ladies' day"
ma ushorcd in with two inches of snow on
fl ground. More snow, followed by seet
ed then rain fell during the day, making
h. fitting climax to e long spell OF unpleasant
weather
But the disagreeable atmospheric cond-
tions did not prevent women pouring into
Montpelier from all parts of the State and,
once here, the horrible walking did not keep
them away from the State House. They
we're present in force at the morning session
Of the House to listen to the eloquence
which it was expected, and rightly expect
ed, would be uncorked.
At 1870 O'Clock, the hour appointed for
the consideration OF the woman suffrage
bill, the House contained more people than
at any time during the session since in
auguration day. On the question of the
passage OF the bill Mr.. Stafford rose to
speak for the Judiciary committee, who re-
ported the bill favorably. He said that
under the present law only woman who
paid taxes have a right to vote in school
meetings The bill under consideration
gives women who are taxed and who wish
10 vote, the right to vote in municipal cleo
tions. The committee believed it an act OF
simple justice to women that the bill should
become law and think that the best reason
that cat be given for the passage Of the bill
is the fact that no reason can be given why
it should not pass.
Mr. Weld Of Berkshire moved to amend
the bill by making all women who
ere voters eligible to all State county and
town offices. Mr.. Stafford said the amend
Inent was evidently designed to kill the bill,
and 1t was not germGne to the bill.
MIR. Martin inquired if the passage of the
bill would not lmperil the secrecy of the
ballot. Mr. Stafford said that the commit
tee did not have the temerty to consider
that question.
Mr. Dale of Brighton said he was not in
favor OF universal suffrage, but he could
imagine case where good, working
woman should be allowed to vote rather
than shittless wishy washy man to whom
she might unfortunately be married. lie
hoped the amendment would not prevail
and that the bill would pass. On the ques-
ton Of the amendment only few affirma-
tive votes were heard and it was lost.
Messrs, Enright Of Windsor, Martin of
Brattleboro, Booth of Norhheld, Darling
Of Chelsea, Weston Of Nswfane and Taylor
of Proctor hoped the bill would pass.
MIR. Stafford demanded the yeas and
nays. The vote stood 149 in favor of the
bill and So against. When the vote was
announced one of the pages presented Mr..
Stafford with bouquet attached to which
card with the words From Mrs.
Smith and 400 other women
Tho event OF ths afternoon session in the
House was the renewal of the long-standing
Windham county fight over the county
seat. At 2;30 the bill providing for the re-
moval of the county seat from Newfaue to
BrattleDoro came up as u special order as
TO reference. Mr. Read OF Rocking ham
spoke in favor of a special committee of
five TO be appointed by the speaker and in
opposition to Il reference to committee
composed of the members from Windham
county. Mr.. Read spoke at length in re-
gard TO the merits of the question of remov-
ing the building from Newfane. Mr.. W es-
ton Of Newfane favored committee con
stating Of the mombers of Windham county.
NJ Weston referred to the precedents, all
Of which be stated were in favor of " md
he county committee. He said that the
question had been presented to the county
It. issue in the last election. Mr.. Ware
VI Townshend favored committee from
the coun y, as did Mr. Adams of Mari
bpro, Air. Porter OF Whining ton,
Mr. Brown Of Whitingham Mr..
Martin OF Brat sooro supported the
IN ton to have committee of five, rather
than 4 committee compos Il of the men.be rs
Of Nlndham county, who are of necessity
prejudiced in the matter. II the jail build
!ugs arc repaired, the bill OF the member
from Newfane asks, Brattleboro Will have
10 pay most OF the expense. Mr.. Cark de
manded the yeas erd,nays on Mr.. Weston's
amendment, which resulted as follows
Meas, TO-, nays, A. So the amendment tc
refer the matter to the county delegati ion
was adopted Tie bill was thereupun re-
feIred TO a select committee of the county
delegation.
The Joke OF the afternoon was resolu
ton offered ly Mr.. Onsted Of Newfane 10y
rtQuesU as follows: Whereas the gentlemen
from Brattleboro having been deprived OF &
bouquet by reason OF his iniudlcious re
marks in relation to women and the secrecy
of the ballot,
Resolved by the House Of Represetativ
that the bouquet from "Mrs SMITH an,
400 be Withdrawn from the gentleman
from st. Johusbury and divide into twt
equal parts, one part OF which shall be give.
TO the gentleman from Hrattleboro as III,
champion of moral reform, ana the othol
half re5iven to tire gentleman from St
Johnsbury as the champion OF suffrage re
form
Speaker Stickrey referred the resolution
10 Mr.. Olmated us special committee OF
jokes. The routine proceedings of tue la
follow:
Senate Morning.
These bills were refused third reading
S. -, providing for the support of prs
ouers in jail in civil cases, :. 12l, rolstin
to probate bonds; II. o. repeating tho &C
OF 1881, entitled an act to diminish tn
frequency OF divorces; II. As, relating t
the limitation Of the prosecutions of erin
inai5
Tho third reading Of H. 81, relating t
divorces, was approved by Senator Boyc
and supported by senator Foster. The ye