Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-12-11

fire was not set by the escaped inmate.
Mr.. Sheffield of Sutton explained the po-
sition of the committee toward the claim.
Mr.. Dixon of Hardwick criticised tho |
course of the asylum officials relating to
this case Their silence virtually estab-
fishes the justice of this claim. He refuted |
some of the opposition arguments.
| Mr.. Fish of Royalton defended the |
asylum officials. denying that they had |
been careless. Unless this man set this |
fire, which Is not proven, and unless he |
escaped by carelessness-which Is not true |
the State is not liable In answer to in |
quiry from Mr.. Gallagher of Craftsbury, |
Mr.. Fish said that notice of the escape |
had not been spread broadcast by tele- |
phone or telegraph-such is not the GUS |
tom.
Mr. Gallagher gave the version Of the
officer who apprehended the lunatic to
| the effect that he had probably set the |
| fire.
Mr. Smith of Mortified said the asylum
itself was not on trial here. He reiterated
that the fire had not been brought home
to the States ward.
Mr. Rider of Bristol asked for additional
facts. He didn't think the State liable to
| the insurance companies.
Mr.. Dixon queried Mr.. Fish as to certain
points attending the escape and fire.
Mr.. Battoll of Mddlebury considered the
evidence strong enough to warrant his
| vote for the bill
| Mr.. Abbey of Essex said public opinion
In his vicinity was practically unanimous
to the effect that the lunatic set the fire.
| Mr. O'Sullivan of St. Adams city COM
planned of the indirect part that an off,
cal OF the asylum was taking in the de-
bate by suggesting. from the floor Of the
House, remarks to speakers and by
prompting them.
Mr. HYDE of bakersfield said that
ITowne brothers had themselves taken
part in this legislation.
Mr. O'Sulivan replied that they had not
from the floor of the House.
| Mr.. Hyde discussed the merits OF the
bill. II declare it seems little early to
make 81, 500 Christmas presents out OF the
State treasury"
Mr.. Wells of Cabot moved to amend by
so changing the bill as to make 1t ap-
pear In its true light-a measure of char
lity.
Mr.. McFeeters Of Enosburgh did not
support the bill from considerations Of
charity. He reviewed the case to show
that there sufficient evidence that
the escaped inmate set the fire. The State
is responsible for the safe keeping Of its
wards
Mr.. Wllss amendment was disagreed to-
The roll call, demanded by Mr.. Smith Of
Mortified. resulted: Yeas 1T. nays 81;
and the bill was passed in concurrence.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
On motion Of Mr.. Dart of Springfield.
the House accedsd to the request of the
Senate for a conference committe to con-
slider the differences between the two
houses respecting II. 115, bounties on nox-
ious animals The chair named as House
members OF this committee Messrs. Dart
of Springfield, Porter of Wilmington and
Fisk of Fayston.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
r. AS. from committee on education.
authorizing school district No - in
Jamaica to levy tax to pay its indebted
ness; ordered to lie and be printed.
H. 4i6. from the committee on insurance,
authorizing the insurance commissioners
to publish list of licensed insurance COM
panies in newspapers.
II. AT, from joint committee on fish and
game. Substitute for II. $50 and II. 1877.
Regulating the fishing in Caspian lake,
Greensboro. Ordered to lie and be printed.
II. AS, from committee on highways.
bridges and ferries assessing highway tax
of 30 cents on the dollar in Averys Gore
for the years 1904 Ordered to lie and be
printed.
II. 40, from joint committee on State
and court expenses, relating to fees for
benefit of State and compensation OF
county clerks. Substitute for II. 32- Or
dered to lie and be printed
TUBERCULOSIS WARD FOR ASYLUM
Fl. 236. repairs at Waterbury asylum
and Brattleboro retreat, was called up by
MIR .Bundy of St. Johnsbury. who opposed
the bill and moved to amend by striking
out the appropriation of $4,000 for a sep
arate building for tuberculosis patients
Mr.. Fish OF Royalton said conditions at
the asylum had been studied carefully be-
fore the appropriation was asked for He
deemed this a necessary move by reason
of over-crowding of that institution and
because practically three per cent. of the
patients are suffering from a commun-
icable disease.
Mr. Peck OF Brandon said the main
question was shall we send our insane peo-
PIE to Waterbury and let them die with
tuberculosis. He said the State cannot af-
ford to trlle with this question. He
= earnestly opposed the amendment and did
not believe in economy with our I'M
fortunate wards.
l Mr.. Abbey of Essex strongly opposed
2 the amendment
Mr.. Hyde Of Bakersfield urged the
necessity for better facilities for caring
} for these unfortunate, and opposed the
proposed amendment.
. Mr.. Rider of Bristol favored the amend
ment unless 1t could be shown to be
| necessity.
| The amendment was then disagreed to
ard the bill passed.
and the bill passed.
RECONSTRUCTED AND PASSED.
H. 42o-To grant relief to the town Of
jay, klieO yesterday MI. bOuuHue VI
Westminster moved to reconsider.
Mr.. Bailey OF Newbury thought there
was merit in the bill. Reconsideration
was voted.
Mr. Wheeler of Troy explained the dire
need of the town. Mr.. O'Brien of South
l burlington gave grand list figures to Sc;
: forth tho situation.
Mr. Battell of Middlebury favored the
bill ard thought Jay entitled to relief
MIR Bailey of Newbury spoke further in
support Of Jays claim. Mr. Wheeler ex-
planned the great expense to which the
, town Of Jay was put TO sustain Its high
way.
Mr. Rider favored the bill, and the bill
t was passed.
BILL RECONSTRUCTED.
: II. 274-Trust companies in a 1duciary
capacity, killed yesterday. Mr.. Carpenter
of Middletown Springs moved to recon
slider seconded by Mr. Fletcher of Caven-
disl.. Reconsideration ordered
. On motion of Mr. Fletcher the bill was
ordered to lie to await amendment.
MI O'Brien of South Burlington moved
to reconsider II. l26, full insurance on per-