Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-11-10
Short Sessions in Both Houses
and Little Business Trans
acted.
PRISON REFORM BILLS:
judiciary Committee Provide That
All Applications For Pardons aud
Paroles BIO Referred to Board of
Prison Comm issioners.
(From Our STAFF CorrespondentO

Montpelier, Nov. IA goodly number of
lawmakers were present when the Legis-
lature was called to order this afternoon
by Mr.. Abel of West Haven, Speaker
Haskins being absent at his home in Brat
tleboro. However, there was unmistak-
able evidence that the cold snap has had
Il quietlng effect upon the members, as the
Senate adjourned in less than one half
hour, having done but very little bus.ne
and although the House did larger
amount Of business, almost everybody
kept quiet. If any bill which was likely
to arouse any discussion was taken up
it was promptly ordered to lie and in most
cases did so without the least resistance.
The only exception to this rule was House
Dill NO. 100. relating to the lowering of
the amount on whichs trustee process can
be served to five dollars. Mr.. Swasey of
Barre called for an explanation and MIR.
Dickcy of bradford speaking for the gem
eral committee, said that it was repre-
scented to them by merchants that so
many men were paid each week and earn
ing less than 80 per week, it was impos-
sible for them to get their pay for pro-
visions. etc, trusted out to the iaboring
class. Mr.. Jackson of Waterville made a
speech in behalf of humanity against the
Dill. but Mr.. Sears of Monkton made his
maiden speech in favor of the passage of
the bill, and Mr.. Norton of WaitsneId
then moved that the hill lie and lie it did.
Most OF the time of the House was oc-
cupied with passing amendments to House
bills which had been sent to the Senate
FOR its concurrence and then returned to
the House for its concurrence in the
amendments. but at no time was the vot-
ing loud enough to awaken baby exccpt
wnen the chair was in doubt.
Inc most important measures touched
this afternoon were the four bills intro
duced by Senator Blodgett of Caledonia
and passed by the Senate, relating to
prison reform. They were read twice in
the House and referred 10 the judiciary
committee. The first Is Senate bill No 81
and is IAN act establishing a board Of
prison commissioners. The board is 10
consist OF the chief justice of the Supreme
Court, the governor and the directors of
the State prison and house of correction.
All applications for pardon or parole are
TO be referred to this board, who are 10
submit their decisions to the governor for
his approval. This board IS given author.
ity to make necessary rules and regula.
ions regarding the parole or release OF
CRIMINALS; to change prisoners from the
house OF correction to the State prison
ana vice versa; and to transfer to a hos.
pital or insane asylum any prisoners SUI.
fering from sickness or insanity.
Senate bill No. 90 is IAN act relating 10
sentences in the State prison and Hous,
or Correction which requires the court
IN imposing sentence. except for life oil
a habitual criminal, to establish a mini.
mum term for the prisoner and at any
time after serving the minimum term tn,
prisoner can be released upon such terms
as the commissioners OF prisons may deem
best. II the prisoner released violates IN,
terms OF this agreement the commission.
erS can order mis- arrest and recommit
him for the rest of the time of his maxi.
mum sentence
An act relating to the parole of prison.
ers is the title of Senate bill No. GO. Thi.
provides for the appointment by the Coun
" courts OF one man in each county &c
serve as probation officer to holC
Office during the pleasure of the court
ana nave all the powers of police officers
Upon the request of any court In the
county before which "A person is being
tried for crime the probation officer shall
inquire into the nature of the crime anC
recommend that the person convicted OF
crime shall be paroled for such time anc
under such terms as the officer sees lit
Tho probation officer Is then to have the
care of such convicted person and is EN-
powered to expend for support oil
/ transportation a reasonable sum to b,
paid him from the State treasury. Eact
probation officer is required to make {
monthly report to the commissioners al
prisons and his salary is to be fixed by
the court and paid by the State
Fourth and last in the series of prison
reform bills is Senate No. a. IAN act re.
lating to habltual criminals" and Il make.
provision for imprisoning for 81 years an,
person twice convicted Of felony whicr
is punished by a term of three years each
If 1t shall appear to the board of prison
commissioners that said prisoner has re-
formed they can issue to him a permit I,
be at liberty, under such terms as they
see mt.
The bill, House No. lS5, which dehar:
residents of villages that do not contri
butte funds for the support of highways
commissioners was passed to-day after
a short speech by Mr.. Chaplin OF Esse,