Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-10-24

Z passage of the Brownell plurality elec.
tlon bill. The measure was supported
emphatically by its promoter, who
claimed that the first ballot was the
one which in reality showed the senti-
ment Of the people. that il has always
the largest vote and that trading or
monetary influences nearly always
changed the result Of the succeeding
ballots. Senator Russell spoke of cleo
tions where several ballots resulted in
no election or choice which was not
that of a majority of the towns voters.
He referred TO a town in the recent
election for representative where he
understood on the first ballot supe-
rior man would have been chosen un-
der plurality law. but on a subse-
quept ballot the second day, by reason
of another candidate selling or trading
out, the election was won by an lnfe-
rior representative. He also referred
in general way TO other rotten pollt
ical methods which he conteuded were
fostered by the majority election of rep
resentarives. Senator Walbridge said
he was astoniShed that honorable sen
ators should stand up and confess to
such a condition Of political pollution
in Vermont. He supposed the politics
here 10 be Of an Unusually high order
OF cleanliness The bin was amended,
making election by plurality on the
second ballot, and passed. It i said
ihac the House may take up and inve>
rigare the charge made. Several more
prohiuitory petitions were presented.
among them two from Rockingham.
In the House. Dr. Couland presented
claims from Dr. II. d. Holton and
Catherine G. Dunleavy. which were
referred 20 the committee on claims.
Mr. Bundy Of s.. Johusbury presented
bill regulating Use Of steam boilers
and providing for licenses for engin-
eerS. Governor 20 appoint one inspee-
tor in each county 10 inspect steam
boilers at least once in six months, own
erS OF boilers NOT tc use thom until
they nave been duly inspected two
classes of license to be issued Ia appii-
cants for positions a. engineer Fine
Of from 80 10 500 for operating engine
or boiler without license. Referred to
Judiciary committee. Mr.. Bridges of
Athens put in bill to protect fish and
relating to the posting Of streams. 1t
provides a forfeit Of sl0 for fishing 10
posted waters. and fine for tearing down
notices forbidding fishing. Referred
to fish and game committee.
Several petitions for woman's suf-
frage and for prohibition were offered
and the chair read a telegram from
Portland. Me. saying that al the W
C.. 7 L. convention that day the Yer
mont delegation had asked the body 10
offer prayer for the retention OF the Yer
mont prohibitory law, which was done
at the noontide hour. Among the many
petitions presented was one by Con
land Of Brattleboro. praying for reten
tion OF the prohihirory law and woman
suffrage in case OF referendum. The
bill providing for steel cages and re-
pairs in Windham county Jail was or
dered to third reading. Mr.. Porter
Of Wilmington stated that the bin was
favored by all the members from Wind
ham county Among the bills intro
duced were one 10y Gale of Guilford.
amending the charter Of the Brattle-
boro GasliEht Co: one 10y the same.
slight change in the statute
10 fences: one abolishiug the
office OF Judge advocate general and
one relating 10 the taxation Of savings
banks deposits. eliminating the 81, 800
of exemption for deposits The House
killed the bill deprlving officers Of So
cieties for prevention Of cruelty TO an
imalS Of right to prosecute.