The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1902-12-17

son to vote in caucus unless enrolled
two days previous to the date of its
holding Report adopted.
The House refused to accede to the
amendments recommended. The SEN
ate declined to recede from its pro-
posals, and the caucus bill failed of
enactment. This completed the bust
ness Of the Senate, and after eXchang-
ing the customary notices with the ex-
ecutive and the House, ! took recess
till So'clock Friday morning and
then adjourned sine die.
USE-EVENING.
Ross bill.-H. 80, taken up a
special order Mr.. Bailey of New
bury, said the committee stood II to 5
in favor of this bill, with absentees.
1t has been thought by many that it
was only fair for this Assembly to
take steps to improve the prohibitory
law, SO that, III the event of re-
lection of the license act, the State
would have a better system than it
now has. He asked that Mr.. Nc
Feeters of Enosburgh, explain the le-
gal phases involved.
Mr.. McFeeters opposed the purposes
in view by'this act. If we are to
have prohibition, we should do moth
ing to curtail the restrictive features
Of the present law.
Mr.. Wheeler of Rockingham, agreed
with the last speaker and moved to
dismiss the bill.
On this Mr.. Bailey asked for the
roll call which resulted: yeas, Ill;
nays, 80; and the bill was dismissed.
Other liquor bills. H. 1876, re-
pealing the injunction feature of the
prohibitory law; favorably reported.
Opposed by Mr.. McFeeters Of Enos-
burgh, who argued that repeal would
be weakening Of the present law,
and would attract the rum vote to the
side of prohibition. Mr.. Dixon of
Hardwick, hoped the rum sellers
would line up with the prohibitions
lists once-it would do them good.
You are not sure you will get license
give us affair prohibitory law. The
speaker did not believe in disclosure
he would never peach" on one who
was in confederation in rum selling,
nor did he believe in one man power
under the injunction. Mr.. Fletcher
of Cavendish, said his constituents
wanted a chance to vote as between
prohibition that will prohibit and
| local option. They do not want the
teeth of prohibition drawn. Killed.
II. 81, amending statutes relating
to appointment of town liquor
agents; favorably reported. Third
reading refused.
The caucus bill. IS. 232, reported
without expression of opinion, com.
mittee stating that it had not hat
time for due consideration. Mr.
Bailey of Newbury urged the import
ance of passing some form of "a caucus
bill. He offered an amendment per-
uniting voters to enroll by letter t
the town clerk, when the signature il
attesied.
Mr.. Battell favored the bill as tn,
best one that has been presented. 1t il
simple and easy of administration
He also supported the amendment.
Amendment agreed to, yeas 100
nays l6.
Mr.. Gale of Guilford opposed the
provisions requiring voters to enro
and moved to strike them out.
Mr. Preble of Shoreham believed
the bill disgraceful one
Mr. Battell said every Republican
would support the bill. The opposi
ton comes from the Democracy.
Mr.. Peck of Brandon said that as ,
Republican he would not vote for tn
bill He criticised it as too complicat
ed and unnecessary, The pgesent sys
tenn is good enough.
Mr.. Pape of Barre deprecated tn
introduction of craftsmanship. He sup
ported Mr.. Gales amendment. Reg
istration so early in the year is un
just TO the independent voter.
Mr.. E Ills of Fair Haven opposed tn
bill rs inquisitorial, unjust and III
fair.