Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-11-20

MONTPELIER. Nov. 14-Troubles thicken in
the path of the bills bearing on liquor leg
iSlation. The minority of the JOINT COM
nttee on temperance voted this afternoon
% report the Ross bill faVorably. Inc
majority refused to vote
The meeting was held in the Senate
chamber MIR. Fletcher Of Cavsndlsh Tor
the majority Of the committee said they
were willing TO submit the bill without ex-
preston OF opinion. and in that case would
agree to any proposed amendments. III
the minority insisted upon submitting a
favorable report the majority would re-
fuse to vote. Senator Walbridge, who in
troduced the bin in the Senate again plead
ed for it on the ground that If the license
bills now before the Legislature are de-
feated the Ross bill is great improve
ment on the present prohibitory law.
Senator Emery. chairman of the com
nittee characterized the action of the
majority as an attempt to damn the ROSS
bill with faint praise. He was willing to
stand or fall with the minority Clerk
Mimms then called the roll The IL mem
bers of the majority refused to answer
when their names were called and the
minority voted soldly for a favorable re-
mort The stand taken by the majority
was that inasmuch as they had once voted
to support "A license bill it was not consist
ent for them to now support prohibitory
measure. Inc committee VOteO 10 diilciiu
the bill so that any town so voting may
establish liquor agency. The original
bill provided that not more than ten agen-
Cies should be opened in any one county.
That there will be a bitter fight in
each chamber of the Legislature when
the bills are taken up now seems in
cvitable, and it is generally talked among
the members to-day that final adjourn
mcnt before Thanksgiving would be i'm
possible. 1t is evident that the friends
of the present prohi btory law Will make
an effort To have the Battell bill sub
stituted for the hcenso-local option bill.
as the proposed change in the liquor law.
There are many who like several feat
ures Of this bill but they say that the
passage of this bill would not redeem the
party pledges. consequently they urge all
members to support the license-local op-
ton bill in the Legislature even If they
desire to vote against it on the refer
cndum. This they state would be per-
fectly proper and would not discredlt the
party by a failure to redeem its pledges.
The Anti-Saloon League is Interested
in having the Rattell bill substituted for
the license measure as the following let
ter of Instructions sent to about 40 mem
bers II the Legislature supposed to be
In favor of the present law shows. It
reads as follows:
THE LIQUOR BILLS WILL BE OF
SPECIAL INTEREST FROM NOW
On.
FIRST will come the vote on substitute
ing "Battell bll' for the other. This
should be done If you fail in this, then
the other bill must be amended and
amended until 1t is brought TO a fair
condition. YOU should prepare one or
two of these amendments and offer them
and back them up Speak out manfully.
On every amendment of importance
take your turn in insisting on the YEAS
AND NAYS" Put every man on record
again and again, If he opposes the good
of the State. by any obnoxious feature.
Fight every inch of it and keep up courage
TILL YOU WIN.
MORROW.
Mr.. Morrow in conversation with a Free
Press man said that he had sent out the
above instructions. That its purpose Is
not TO delay or block legislation but to
give every man an incentive to act for
the very best interest OF the state
NOMINATIONS BY THE GOVERNOR
The Senate went into executive session
this afternoon to receive nominations o.
Governor Mccullough for a board of visi
tors to Norwich University Under tn,
rule the nominations win lie "A hours anC
rs the Legislature has adjourned owe
Sunday these nominations will not be act
ed upon until Monday afternoon.
WOMAN BILLS IN DANGER.
The bill introduced in the Senate b,
Senator Spencer enabling women to vOt
and hold Offices in town, city and fire dis
trict meetings which was adversely re
ported by the committee, narrowly ESCAPED
decapitation. On motion of its author |
was ordered to le as was the bin intro
duced by Senator Walbridge alowin,
women who hold property to vote in tow
and city meetings on propositions to rails
money by n tax assessment. This bill wa
also reported adversely by the committee
Shortly before adjournment of the Sen
ate this forenoon Senator sutton move
that when the Senate adjourn this after
noon 1t be until Monday afternoon next n
2o'clock. He supported this motion on tn