Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-11-04
7ERMoNT PHcENIx BRATTLEBORO, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER

drainage of that institution. The mea-
dows in question are not to be flooded
till the premises have been inspected by
three sanitary engineers, who are to de-
termine what 1t is best to do with n view
of conserving the healthfulness of the in
mates of the Retreat.
Mr. Campbell of Rockingham has intro
duced bill to further photographic work
in connection with the United States
geological survey.
Senator Pierce on Tuesday introduced
three of four bills bearing on the impor-
tant question of highways. They pro-
vide for placing the road commissioner
on salary basis; that each town shall
levy highway tax of rs per cent, the
proceeds to be added to the amount
resulting from the state tax; that IL any
town votes five per cent highway tax
this amount shall be duplicated by the
state, the whole to be expended for per-
manent roads under the direction of the
state commissioner; that no shoes" shall
be used by teamsters on the highways,
that narrow tires shall be replaced by
wide ones and that persons leaving OBJ
structions in the highways or the bitches
alongside thereof shall be fined.
Mr.. Walker of Dummerston has intro
duced a bill making Windham county's
open season for trout begin and end one
month earlier than in other parts of the
state
Mr.. Sherwin of Jamaica has bill in for
bidding loans by banks on real estate. ex-
cept on first mortgage, and putting other
safeguards around investments.
Mr.. Corser of Putney has introduced
bills giving, road commissioners charge of
the bridges. and authorizing selectmen
to take roads for public use when such ac-
ton is required.
Against Straight Plurality
Plurality election of town representa-
tives had shaking up on Tuesday, in
both senate and the house. The upper
branch passed a bill providing for election
| by that method on the first ballot by
yea and nay vote 81 to s. The Wlndham
county senators divided on the question,
Senator Pierce voting yes and Senator
Ware, no.
A bill of the same sort came up in the
house n little later in the day. AS pre-
dicted last week, most of the small towns
did not favor straight plurality, and
the opposition was strong enough to re-
fuse the bill a third reading by a vote of
| 1876 to 49, There was a decided unwill-
ingness to have these contests settled
on the first ballot, because of fear
that results might not be as completely
| representative. There was a manifest
| sentiment in favor of plurality on the third
ballot, and a bill to that end is to be
| favorably reported by the committee, 1t
! is understood. Several good speeches were
made on each side in Tuesdays debate.
The bill providing for plurality election
on the third ballot was summarily dis
missed on Wednesday, but reconsidered
ordered to a third reading without OPP
position.
Communication and Hanging.
Representatives. hall was packed on
| Tuesday evening, at the hearing on the
| n
NJ Rogers and to abolish capital punish
ment. D. A. Guiltinan of Bennington and
F. c. Archibald of Manchester appeared
for Mrs. Rogers and pledged extreme de-
generacy and mental incapacity in ex-
| tenuation.
O. NJ Barber of Bennington appeared
for the state and described the horrible
crime of Mrs Rogers in many of its de-
| tails.
]. II. Senter of Montpelier and j. +.
! Redmond of Newport spoke against capt.
| tai punishment on the ground of human
ity and civilization. Rev. ]. II. Long of
Bethel spoke strongly in support of capt.
tai punishment n deterrent, and against
life imprisonment as a farce in the light
of recent events in our own state.
Among the measures introduced since
Friday last are these:
Reducing the per cent of value paid
for animals slaughtered by the cattle
commission from So to so, and fixing the
limit of appraised value at $40 instead OF
$50. This bill is in line with a suggestion
made by Gov, Bell in his inaugural.
Prohibiting Incorporated villages from
voting for town road commissioner unles:
they have turned over to the town treas
urer Is per cent of their highway taH
fund.
Allowing political parties to regulate
caucuses as they please, making use o
check list optional and imposing penalty
for bribery and intimidation of voters.
Increasing tax on railroad companie:
from seven-tenths to one per cent. on ap
praised value, or from 21s to 3h per cent
on gross earnings.
Providing for county road commission
ers.
Devoting to the use OF Norwich Uni
versity the income of the war fund o
$4,000 recently received from the ma
tional government.
Allowing license commissioners In town
of less than 1900 population to decide hov
many saloons therein shall be.
Providing that tax warrants shall re
main in force till all the taxes there
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