News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1894-11-08
THE VERMONT LEGISLATURE.

One of the measures that promised
a great fight at the outset of the ses-
sion has received its death-blow. The
bill to disestablish the incorporated
schools was killed on third reading
by an immense negative vote, only
twelve members voting in favor of it.
There had been a most decided
change of sentiment in the matter,
and even the most earnest advocates
of the town system in its entirety
were finally brought to the opinion
that any change at this time was
premature and would be unwise.
WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
Many petitions have been present
ed, and many are coming, asking
that the franchise inequality in the
sexes, and the wrong to one-half the
people, doe righted; that law giving
women a right to vote be passed
But for a long time no such bill was
presented. Last Wednesday, how
ever, such a measure made it's ap-
pearance. 1t was a "corker." 1t
provided that women should pay a
poll tax, and be subject to all the Oh
legations and duties of men, except
that of bearing arms; nothing was
said about other bearings, of course.
Before any member of the fair sex
could vote she would have to take
an oath that she was not in favor of
anarchy or communism. The bill
went to the judiciary committee on
the day of its Observation-Disclosures
day last-and the next day it made
it's second bow to the house. The re-
port of the committee was not made
known, for the introducer of the bill
not being in his seat, Mr.. Speaker
said the report would not be read
that day. On Monday it was brought
up, but for it's execution, it flashed
on the scene moment, the next min
ute it was lifeless. 1t is expected that
a bill with less rigorous exactions is
to come in from the committee on
elections.
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
Senator Hazen has taken a step in
this direction that cannot fail to be
productive of great amount OF
good in it's tendency towards public
enlightenment. Public libraries are
educators of the advanced kind. The
happiest and best ordered communi-
ties are those that have good libra
ries, and he who interests himself in
their permanent establishment is a
public benefactor.
The bill has passed the senate and
is now before the house committee
on education, who will no doubt re-
port favorably upon it. Books OF
some kind are links connecting the
past with the present, as are monu-
ments; and it is gratifying to know
that the bill has passed making an
appropriation for the erection Of
granite shaft to the memory Of
Vermont's first governor-Thomas
Chittenden. The sum of $4,000 is
appropriated for the purpose named
ELECTION LAWS.
There are now pending some eight
or ten measures looking to changes
in the Australian ballot act. The
nature of these bills comprise the
limiting of the operation OF the act
to the large towns and cities of the
state; changes of the system of OBJ
tanning the ballots and of assistance
to illiterate voters, whereby there
shall be two persons appointed to &C
into the booth with a voter needing
assistance, the two keepers to be. O
opposite politics. The committee or
elections are at work on a bill that
will embrace such propositions as
appear to be the most desirable fea
lures of the pending bills. This pro
duct of the committee will be intro
duced as a substitute for all the pend
ing bills.
SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCA TON.
The Joint assembly on the 31st ult
did what it was predicted it woulC
do; it re elected Mr.. Stone superin
tendent of education by handsome
majority. His name was presented
by Mr.. Lord of Montpelier and il
goes without saying that it was wei
done. Mr.. Stones name was second
ed very widely. in most instances OF
behalf of a solid delegation from tn,
county represented by the seconder
The other candidates presented were
Mr.. G. s. Davis of Bennington and G
A. Williams of Rockingham. An at
tempt was made to defeat Mr.. Ston'
on the ground that he was Demo
GRAFT, but it did not work. 1t may b,
mentioned that Lamoille count,
stood shoulder to shoulder for tn
right, and in this case the right wa
the reelection of Mr.. Stone, who re
ceived in the total vote a majorit,
over both candidates of nearly {
hundred.
The joint assembly also elected
three trustees of the U. V. M. & S
A. c. The following distinguished
agriculturists were elected: Hon. Red
field Proctor, Hon. E. j. Ormsbe
and Hon. Crosby Miller. 1t seemed
to be the desire of these gentlemen tt
remain on the board, and as thes
positions are always given to agri
culturists, doubtless it was the mos
appropriate thing to do. Lamoill
county should be getting some can
didates in training for this office
would suggest p X. and Heme a
good men for the place.