Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-07-04
WHAT OUR NEIGHBORS SAY.
Reform In Legislative Representation
in Vermont Practicable.
(From the Ludlow Tribune.)

Reform In Legislative Representation
in Vermont Practicable.
From the Ludlow Tribune)
Ono party would have an educational
qualification for all voters, making the
representation that Of the more highly
cultured element of society. The second
would make the qualification one OF prop
city ownership, ana our assembly to rep
resent the men of means only. The last
aims to represent fairly the whole people
without regard to means or education, and
taken all in all, seems to us most nearly
IN accord with Our American principles.
Vermont holds to a fourth and very uni
que scheme. Disregarding the three
methods above outlined. we elect our State
representatives one from each town.
In the latest census report, the popnla-
ton of the town of Glastonbury Is given
as IS, that of the city OF Burlington as
1850. The same census makes the State
list of Baltimore $3o7G4 that Of Rutland
sl6'eo35o. At the last gubcrnatorial cleo
ton Somerset cast 10 votes, the city Of
Barre ll5S. Each and every town and city
mentioned elects one representative to the
General Assembly. On almost any basis
ina enable, voter In the town of Glas-
tenhury with II polls exerts from $50 to
400 times more influence than a voter in
burlington, not because he knows
more, or owns a larger percentage
OF property. but merely from the fact that
he lives within certain area bounded by
four stone posts.
The present number OF representatives
is probably sufficient to represent fairly
the needs and desires Of the State. That
there are some practical difficulties in the
way Of apportlonment by population is
true Eut these obstacles are not .nsupcr-
able Towns may be grouped to make up
the required quota, approximately 400, Of
population or each town might he allowed
one representative az at present, only
giving the towns with an excess of GER
tam number more than one delegate.
HOW TO KEEP BOYS IN SCHOOL.
From the Mlddlebury Rcgistcr)
Rutland is all stirred up over the dis
proportion Of the sexes in the high school
graduating class of that city. In class
OF Il only one boy appeared and he was
imported from an outside school. The
Rutland newspapers are seeking a solu-
ton of the difficulty, but up to date are
as far from IL as at the start. 1t Is noted
that each year the prcpondcrancc of airl
graduates over boys grows greater. and
colleges AZ well as common schools have
this report To- make. There is TO denying
mat with the passing of the years life
grows moro and more strenuous for the
hreadwinner and il behooves him who
must depend upon his own efforts to start
early in the race. TIL, class Of boys who
avail themselves Of tho common schools
for their education is not apt to h" cont
posed largely Of those who look forward
to inhcrtiug an established business or
profession. and hence MS the race grows
more exciting their eagerness to enter
early increases. 1t probably will be found
that the decrease In the proportion Of
young men entering colleges is due to
similar causes the loss being from tlr
ranks OF those who formerly worked til, ir
way through The Rutland papers are
finding that it is a condition and not a
theory they have to combat. If they are
anxious to keep the boys in school, thcre
are the manual training and technical
schools to advocate. They arc lacking in
hroadnoss thcA are wanting In that which
tends To the fullest development of the
mind and character but-thcre is the con-
diton; what is to be done about it?
THE ARMY CANTErN.
OTrom the ST. Johnsbury Caledonian)
As the army pay DAYS come and 20 the
canteen question IL brought to the front
and discussed over and over again. This
month clergyman set the ball rolling by
personally investigating the workings If
the new law in a Western fort. When he
sought to present the results Of his inves-
tieation at Baptist ministers meeting
in Chicago they refused to hear II. ana by
an overwhelming vote rcpudiated his
views on the canteen question. Ana the
president Of the national W. c. T. I. hss
expressed herself as being perfectly snts-
fed with the workings Of the law. But
the army officers. VINO have other than
sentimental dealings with the question.
are not 80 well pleased Since the last
pay day the same story comes from nearly
all the army posts In the country. espcri-
ally those located in the vicinity of larle
ttios, telling Of increased assertions. m Re-
rtoXication and more crime Indeed. it is
altogether probable that when Congress
and tho testimony Of army officers, based
on actual experience with the mon, fol.
lowed instead OF lengthy petitions. The
conclusion that the Western clergyman
arrived at IL tho same as that of Bishop
Potter's assistant in his tour Of the
Philippines, and many other fair minded
persons. Tho difficulty Hes IN the fact
that the people do not understand the
private soldier and his life and surround
ings. Ills standing in the public mind is
regulated by cert ain conditions. In time
~ war he is a hero, and receives far more
silly praise than he cares for. or often de-
serves, In time Of peace he Is considered
hN the majority as something akin to a
thug" and orc generally 10 be avoid d. .
What he really Is, taking tho army as "A
whole. Is n good, live, average young man,
lust the same as men of his own age out
Side the army. no better and no WOrse .
His lfo is not an exciting one IN peac, fnl
tines his garrison duty Is n mere routine
ana the only enjoyment he gets out of life
must come from his surroundings. One Of
the principal sources of his enjoyment
was until six months ago. the post can
teen. He thoroughly enjoyed the good fell
lowship Of the place, and rarely abused
re privileges. From the post canteen
v mere only beer was served he is now let
loose upon the saloon where the vilest
liquors are sold, So he goes to the saloon
for his liquor, and If he wants it he viii
get il, for that Spirit Of determination
within him is the same that all applaud
when he runs up some San Juan hill IN
he face of a shower Of bullets. Once out
side the restraint, like many others who
are not soldiers, he Is apt TO 20, as Kip
ing puts 1t, large q bit" Hence tho
'rowded police stations and numerous ab-
'ences without leave" that post COM
handlers are so bitterly complaining about
IF late.
OF course it would be a good thing If
soldiers did not care for beer. hut that
lime has not come vet. The majority Of
hem want 1t and II they cannot get it