Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1906-12-21
FRIDAY, DECEMBER p, 1906.
CLOSING OF LEGISLATURE,

As the reports of the newspapers in regardto
the legislation for the last few days has been
very incomplete and especially so in regard to
the automobile bill. we cannot make ex-
tended comments. But the following report
appeared in the Saturdays Free Press:
Montpelier, Dec. I4.-The House this
afternoon took up a special order II, GA,
10 provide for registering, numbering and
regulating the speed of automobiles and
motor vehicles and for licensing the operator
thereof. Mr.. Bailey of Essex moved to
amend the printed bill as follows:
No motor vehicle shall be run on public
way or private way laid out under authority of
statute IN reckless or negligent manner.
If person runs a motor vehicle at a rate of
speed, exceeding 20 miles an hour outside a
city or incorporated village, or at rate of
speed exceeding 10 miles an hour within a
city, incorporated village or the thiclly settled
part of town, it shall be prima facie evidence
that the motor vehicle was run recklessly or
negligently.
\ person who violates a provision of the
preceding section shall be fined not more than
500 or be imprisoned not less than 20 DAYS,
or both, for the first offense, with costs OF
prosecution, and for each subsequent offense,
said person shall be fined no more than $500
nor less than 500 or imprisoned not more
than six months or both, with costs OF prose
cutlon. Justices of the peace, municipal and
city courts shall have concurrent jurisdiction
with the county courts, of ofenses arising
under the provisions of this act and of No. SO
OF the acts of 1904.
person violating a provision of this act
for which no penalty is herein otherwise pro-
vided, shall be fined not more than 500.
\ person who violates a provision of this
act, may be arrested without a warrant. and
the officer making the arrest shall take such
person before Justice, municipal or city
court there to be held until proper warrant
can be issued.
These amendments were voted down after
being opposed by Mr.. Nichols of Richmond.
Mr.. Cady of Middlebury and Mr. Allen of
Nottingham.
The above were offered as amendments to
the bill under consideration. Gov. Stewart.
in reading expressed his satisfaction with
them excepting the time limit, which he
thought altogether too much; and indeed
every person will see that they are especially
well drawn for the protection Of the public.
providing automobiles are allowed upon our
highways Why, then, they should have been
opposed by the member from Middlebury we
cannot imagine, but there may be some explain.
alton which does not appear
The bill was then passed by the House,
afterwards reconsidered sent back to the
committee and apparently the only saving
feature in it, the empounding of the automo-
bile, stricken out, and the bill then passed.
The reception of the bill in the Senate is
thus reported in the Free Press of the 10th
INST "Senator Pelton strongly opposed the
proposed bill, pointing out many absurdties
as they appeared to him. Senator Phelps de-
Tended the committee.
Senator Pelton moved to strike out all after
enacting clause and inserting in part same
amendment offered in House. Senator Phelps
demanded yeas and nays. Vote ives" AID
rich, Chase Of Essex, Daley, Davis, Greene.
Holden, Manning, Moseley, Pelton, Roberts
OF Bennington, Somers, STAFFORD and Van
Patten, IS; "no," Chase Of Windham Collins.
Delong' Rowland Johnson, Morse, Phelps,
Redheld and Russell, O."
The result is given by the Free Press as
follows;
Montpelier, Dec. 10 After a long dav
spent largely in conferences between the two
houses the work Of the legislature was finished
tonight. 1t was after ten o'clock before the
committee OF conference on the automobile