The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-11-25

Portland, solicitor of the Grand Trunk
Railway Company, on the bill to compel
that road to stop all trains at Notions
Mills. Certainly those who had the good
fortune to hear the remarks of the gentle
man agree that it was mastery effort
1t was effective, too, as the unanimous re-
port OF the committee demonstrated
In looking over the members of the lower
house for those who have proved them
selves valuable legislators during the ses-
sion now drawing TO close, the name of
Mr.. BarrOws OF Coventry is naturally sug-
gested. The House of 1896 contains no
more intelligent, sensible and faithful
worker than he. His voice is often heard
in support OF or opposition to pending meas
ures, but he always has something to say
and catches the ear of the House. His fell
low Legislators have learned to appreciate
and rely upon his good judgment, and his
words always carry weight. The good old
town of Coventry has always sent worthy
men to represent her in legislative halls
but none better equipped for his duties, nor
a more tireless and conscientious worker
than is Mr.. Barrows.
1t was splendid audience, composed
largely of ladies', that the orators for and
against the bill granting municipal suffrage
to women faced in Representatives, Hall
Thursday afternoon Every available foot of
seating and standing room in gallery, lobby
and on the floor was occupied, and applause,
that the speakers gavel was powerless to
suppress, frequently swept over the house
Speaker Lord called Mr.. Powers of Norris
town to the chair, and, from the floor of the
House, made an eloquent plea for the pas
sage of the bill to its third reading. But
neither the impassioned eloquence of Mr.
Lord and Col. Haskins, nor the calm dis
passionate reasoning of Col. Bates of St.
Johnsbury and Mr.. Bunker of Peacham,
could overcome the cinching arguments
cd hxy Ind
Darling OF Bennington, Mr. Palmer of
Waterbury and Mr.. Smith of Burlington,
and the bill was killed by nearly two to
one. The yea and nay vote on the question
may be found in another column.
THE High Schools of Hartford and Pom
lret were largely represented at the State
House to-day. This pleasant feature, intro
duced two years ago by Senator Deal, then
the representative from st. Adams, when
he brought the pupils of the st. Adams
High Sshool to Montpelier for day, has
been EN- braced this year, until over thirty
schools from various parts of the state have
visited legislative halls and received an OBJ
Ject lesson in law making Their presence
mas always been welcome, and the members
of the General Assembly have submitted
good-naturedly to any amount Of crowding,
when several hundred young people have
been present at the same hours. The liberal
policy adopted by the Central Vermont rail
road in transporting these scholars at very
low rates, in through cars, has done much
10 make it the pleasant success it has
proved.
DURING the past three weeks scores of Pc
titions, prettily decorated with yellow rib
Dons, praying for law granting municipal
suffrage to women, have been presented in
the House, aud have been dumped into the
lap OF the judiciary committee. During the
discussion and death of Senate bill No 80
granting, municipal suffrage TO tax-paying
women, in the House Thursday afternoon
MI Barnes OF Addison gave a death blow
to such petitions. Mr.. Barnes said that
such memorials, or petitions had been sup
posed to carry some weight. He held in
his hand one such that had been presented
in the House few days ago from the town
OF Concord. This petition was manufac-
tured just before the last September elec.
ton, 1t contained the names OF 125 sun
posed signers or this number, thirty were
non-residents, six were dead, three were
under age, and one was in state prison,
The absurdity OF such petition was made
clear by Mr.. Barnes in suceinct three
minute speech, and scores of votes were in
stantly influenced.
THE railroad committees of the House and
Senate gave hearing in the Senate cham
Der Tuesday evening on the bill requiring
the Grand Trunk Railroad Company TO
stop its trains at what is alleged to be a
dangerous crossing at Norton Mills, little
lumber center in the county Of Essex. A.
A. Strout, general solicitor for the Grand
Trunk, was present and made an able argu-
ment in opposition to the bill, maintaining
mat the crossing was not specially dan
gerous one, and that to stop thirty trains a
day at that point would entail considerable
expense to the company. Hon. George N
Dale OF Island Pond appeared also in oppo-
sition to the bill, and both of these gentle
men argued the unconstitutionality OF such
a measure AZ was asked for. Il. M. Harvey
for the friends of the bill, ridi-