davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
MAJORITY VS.. PLURALITY REPRE-.
SENTATIVE ELECTIONS

The voice OF the press Of ycrmon+
has been reused by the experiences ~,
the past week In various towns and
cities to renewed protest against ,ba
continuance OF insistenoe on majority
elections Of town Representations. Tho
spectacle afforded by men Of sound
sense sitting UP throughout the ,ong
night or struggling through successive
days for tho purpose Of agreeing on
candidate for Representatives who
could down all aspirants that rniph, ne
drummed UP against him. has been
provocative Of thought. II rema,n,
only 10 allow action to proceed ,ror,
thought and vocalization 10 enah,. ,h.
voters to try a remedy. which n,on-
ises at least 20 be no worse ,h,, ,,o
diseas" II the remedy prove futile
1t can be easily cast aside.
The Fair Haven Era we'll says IN
this connections:
The election in several towrs d..
"'N'" '"N1 Not'u -FOUR timeq
Huntington where they vote, .,ah,
times and Middlebury whore the nenn,o
voted eleven times for represon,otI,,n
has forcibly drawn attention aga,r 90
the present law which requires n mn
Jority vote to elect. Fair Havor no1
Its all night fight over two est,mah,n
citizens. some years ago and nil tho
participants are to-day firm believers
In different law. ono that will mar
init them 10 attend to some other dutv
than that OF merely making a selection
between two good citizens.
The Montpelier Journal is moved a.
eloquence by the spectacle OF A town
actually deprived OF representation IN
the lower branch of the Lsgislature
by the majority election system. II
says
The town OF Chelsea. the county
seat Of Orange county. the town from
which such men as Hale X. Darling
have come to the Legislature the
home of Curtis S. Emery, collector AT
the port Of custom at Newport. tina
birthplace of John l.. Bacon. ex-State
treasurer. the native town OF Col.
Charles X. Darling. the vicinity from
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10

Wnich Lyme Hinkley, whose witty
remarks have lived a score of years
and more, the home of william r. vi
las, man OF national reputation who
recently died In the West, tho native
place Of the father and mother of Rich
ard earle. the famous writer of com
| cdy and one OF the best in his line to-
day, and the place where Richard him
self used to spend the summers with
his aunt-will be unreprescnted In the
| Legislature because no choice could
be made after 1S ballots and intermit-
tent voting for four days
Roxbury, at six o'clock Thursday
evening. finally effected an election
| after n dozen ballots or so and is like
| ly to have the election contested by
| the defeated candidate on the ground
| that ballots marked in n certain fash
ion were allowed on the FIRST ballot
ana refused on the third thus prevent
| ing an election as the candidate would
have had enough on the third to have
pulled him through II they had been
counted. In this town there were u
few political rough houscrs who cast
| enough scattering votes TO break up
| a choice and grinned while the poor
farmers. who ought to have been at
l
stick It out standing by their candi-
dates through the long hours of after
noon and evening. Such political mas
tincss ought to be rewarded by disfran-
chsemcnt but II can't be done.
In Waterbury the voters threw bal
lots into the box until their backs were
lame and their eye-lids heavy and FIN
ally effected choice by bringing
not even been mentioned In conncc-
ton with the office of Representatives
when the election started. In Hines
burgh Thursday right at nine o'clock
1t was decided to turn the box every
hour "a representative was elected
Friday morning) Middlebury. after ?s
hours of voting and II ballots. finally
sent It's drowsy voters to their beds.
Morrisville pulled Tom Cheney through
with one vote to spare in a contest In
which fey of the voters were not
candidates themselves. Rutland city
sat through tho long hours of the
night playing tit-tat-too on the ballots
and landed on the candidate finally
that had the lead at the start, but an
unusual incident as the victory usually
falls to somebody WHO IL third, fourth
or NTH choice of the voters. Several
other towns kept up exhausting con-
tests and settled the election with ran
cor in tho breasts of nearly everyone
In town. These are n few OF tho ex
amples of the need of n plurality cleo
ton law of some kind.
Under these circumstances It will be
remarkable II the lawmakers are not
moved TO compassion to a degree which
will lead them to provide for an eX
perimental use of the plurality sys-
TEN, For example 1t might not be
class Legislation to pass a law provid
ing that those towns which havo been
unable to elect a representative inside
of two days during the past year may
try the proposed remedy two years
from now. Speaking seriously It would
be worth while to try in some way
to prevent towns from being deprived
Of representation in the House Of
Representatives.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10

THE WEEKLY FREE PRESS. s
cents per copy, so cents for six months,
$500 per year, postage paid.
Advertisements and subscriptions re-
ccived at the office, 1s9 College street.
Full advertising rates sent on applica-
ton.
Accounts can be opened for Bub-
scriptions. Subscribers will please re-
NIT With order. Names are not entered
until payment is received, and nil
papers are stopped at the end OF the
time paid for.
Remittance at the risk of the sub
scriber unless made by registered let
ter. or by check or postal order pay
able to the publishers.
The date when the subscription ex-
pircs is on the address-labcl OF each
paper. the change of which to n SUB
scuucnt date becomes n receipt for re-
mittance. No other receipt is sent un-
less requested. The receipt OF tho
paper is a sufficient receipt for the first
subscription.
When a change Of address Is desired.
both the old and now addresses should
be given.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10

AT Napoleon's tomb. on scorching
day In Paris, | met Nelson Lloyd. the
humor!st," said a Philadephian. Lloyd
and were In the same class together at
the Germantown academy. We shook
hands and began to talk about Napoleon
and war.
Lloyd, always quaint and amusing.
was at his best on the subject OF war
The horrors of war are overrated
he said.
How can YOU say SOP I cried.
Then he told me about veteran who
once described a terrible battle TO him.
The veterans account Of the engagement
was as follows:
1t was n terrible affair, and no mis-
take about It. Our company lay in am
buscade in wood. Every five minutes
our brave young captain, pale as death,
said to US:
""'Boys. It will be our turn next"
Then We took another pull at our
whiskey TASKS and prepared for death.
This lasted from sunrise till midnight,
when all OF a sudden an adjutant rods
up and told us we had won. &"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10

trio light and other public service
now exercised by the people through
their representative in public office
out saying In the light of New York's
experience with the Hughes public
utilities commissions that laws look
Ing In this direction Will be enacted.
The republican platform also prom
ised Legislation providing for an en-
ployers' liability law; the exemption
OF wages from attachment to GER
tain extent; further changes in the
judicial system 70 simplify and OK
pedite legal procedure; laws for tho
further development OF our educa-
tional system and the extension of
highway improvements; and last but
not least Legislation to provide for
n careful and authentic investigation
of our unused water powers, and
such further legislative action as will
properly aid in their development"
Other subjects which are likely to
receive attention during the coming
session Of the Legislature are forest
ry, uniformity OF municipal char
tiers. and municipal accounting: plu-
rality election for town representa-
tives; revision OF the law dealing
with diseased cattle; the tercentenary
celebration Of the discovery Of Lake
Champlain; newspaper publicity for
various legal notices and matters reiat-
ing to town gatherings, Important
measures arc also certain TO develop
as the session progresses. 1t Is evil
dent therefore that the coming Leg
islature will have an important, though
not necessarily long, session, and 1t IS
not too early to begin the public discus
sion Of the matters which will an
gage the attention of our lawmakers.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
SOMEBODY MISLED TROUT.

Those residents of Burlington and
other towns In Vermont who without
reference to political Affiliations enjoy
ed the breezy speeches OF Col. Alcxan-
der Troup, editor Of the New Haven
Conn. Union, will be interested In
the following reference to his work
as head Of the New England Demo-
cratic Progressive League In Vermont
by the democratic Hartford Times:
Colonel Alexander Troup's political
prophecies are never barren OF en-
thusiasm. Returning from Vermont on
Monday, he confidently predicted that
the republican plurality IN Tuesdays
election In the Green Mountain State
would fall below 10000. Several years
ago, when one of Colonel Troup's cleo
ton forecasts was upset by the logic
OF subsequent events. his characterize
tically laconio explanation was: They
lied TO me"
1t could not have been the picturesque
John senter Of Montpelier who misicd
Troup. for the former frankly indicated
that ne was not much OF q Bryan man
this year. and Il is equally certain that
Colonel Smalley did not 'stur" the
prophet from tho Nutmeg State. Per-
haps II does not matter how Editor
Troup came to dream dreams OF a
democratic wave in Vermont which
could not be stopped. There would
seem to be little excuse for him, for
according to his democratic contem-
porary this was not his first fall under
the persuasive influence of a campaign
prevaricat1on.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
THE PEOPLE OF VERMONT NOT
POOR.

Tho empty pocket readily gives au-
dience TO the calamity bowler. Tho
converse of the proposition Is also
true. thrifty and prosperous peo-
pie have little time 10 listen 10 ex-
plantations why they are not prosper
Gus, The people of Vermont are large
~ made up OF what is by courtesy
termed the great middle class. When
tho country In general Is prosperous
Vermont Is prosperous.
When the political student seeks an
explanation Of the recent demonstra-
ton thnt our people as n whole are
satisfied with the party In power. ne
must regard as one OF the factors the
financial conditions of our inhabi-
tants. a glance at our savings in
stltutions furnishes key 10 our
monetary circumstances According
to tho report OF Bank Commissioner
Cobb the savings banks and trust
companies OF Vermont have total de-
posits exceeding 100000. 900. This
is an Increase OF no less than $4,000
900 during tho year.
This gigantic sum represents not
the predatory wealth OF which we
hear so much in the field Of politics,
but the savings of the toiiers. the re-
lance Of widows and the financial
sustenance and hope OF orphans. It
stands largely for .he class of peo-
pie who either have not the REQUIRE
ments or else have no disposition to
make investments for themselves
The thousands Of depositors in our
savings institutions are not only
prosperous; they are also confident In
their feeling OF financial security.
In spite Of outside destinations and
consequent feeting rumors, not saw
inss institution IN Vermont had n
run during tho late financial un-
pleasantness in the netropolis
which started the whole trouble
Our depositors in such inst,tu
tions knew that their savings
were safe. Our savings banks are
conservatively as well as ably man
aged. and tho State sees that they
are kept on sound basis. which Is
better than a guaranty of deposits.
When we contemplate the condition
OF our people as thus rejected
we are moved TO remark that better
Is honest wealth safety deposited and
fairly taxed than predatory wealth
IN terror alike OF tho government
prosecutor and the tax gatherer.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10

ton, II is easier TO appreciate and un-
derstand something of tho nature and
extent OF the Improvement Indicated.
In the FIRST place we are told that
prices of stocks are now 80 high that
the average Is above that Of any date
since May. 1907. We are told that as
"a result Of the advance the shrinkagc
OF $500. 100000 In value OF such Sc
curities In December of last year has
been entirely made good. This is in
deed a wonderful record for ten
months.
The prevailing and all absorbin e
question. however Is, what OF the
future7"
The answer TO this question is fur
nished by the announcement that our
markets are free from surplus pro-
ducts and our Industries must continue
to produce to meet current demands.
and likely to continue so for n CON
siderable period. The credit situation
Is improved and crop demands will be
easily met. The call for bonds is i'm
proving. Crop prospects are favor
able. Gold Is piling up in all tho
great money centers and must seek
means of use.
While the election Of TAFT is regard =
ed as certainty, people are inclined
to discount adverse effects OF the cleo
ing ahead with the idea that the coun-
try will continue TO do business in any
event. This confidence after all Is
what keeps the wheels OF industry and
transportation and commerce moving.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
REPLY TO "THE BAGGAGE SMASH
Err"

The thanks OF all the Y. NJ. crew,
To r. Il. c. are surely due,
For his most optimistic view
OF the Il, Ms future state.
For all the prophets in the past,
Yes. every one from first to last,
Have all the baggage Smashers' cast
Into endless fire below.
So when that dynamited trunk,
That halls from Russia or Podunk.
Makes us a-e-riated chunk"
Floating In space.
May T. B. c. he close at hand
Sometimes such fate seems kindly
planned
To go with us up to the happy land
When We upward take out flight"
tSignfd) "BAGGAGE SMASHER."
st. Adams VI.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10

Widespread comment has been arous-
ed by the announcement OF Francis
Darwin, son Of the author of ~'The Or
habits and even remember, and tho
subsequent statement OF Professor
Harold Wager. tho well-known bota-
mist that plants have eyes. Even the
potato has eyes, but the question Is
whether the scientist Is speaking visu-
license.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
A HOPEFUL OUTLOOK.

The people OF Vermont, which is in
financial reaction. can plainly see that
business 10 improving. Indisputable
proof OF this improvement Is to he
number of idle cars on our railroads
IL constantly diminishing. Inasmuch
as tho business men OF this State are
It goes without saying that the revival
OF manufacturing and trade here Is on
n good basis. partaking nothing OF the
gree.
When we look to the general situa-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
THE LEGISLATURE AND ITS WORK


ance in Vermont will be the biennial
| session of the Legislature. The first
of amendment to the Constitution of
Vermont provides that the General
| Assembly shall meet on tae first
Wednesday of October biennially"
and the first Wednesday of that month
| this year falls on October :, four
| weeks from next Wednesday,.
To the Legislators elected on Tues
day Will fall the somewhat unusual
duty of elect!ng two United States
| senators. one to succeed the Hon.
william p. Dillingham;, for tho reg
ular term OF six years. and another
to complete the unexpired term of the
late United States Senator Redheld
Proctor. which has two years to run.
A variety OF important questions
will also come before the Legislature
for settlement. In the first place the
republican majority will be expected
70 carry out or endeavor TO fulfill the
pledges mado in the State platform
on which the State ticket was elect
ed. and It will DO possible to gain
some idea therefrom regarding some
Of the important measures which will
receive attention at the hands OF our
lawmakers during the coming session.
The most momentous problem which
will confront tho legislators Is the
relating to taxation. The report of
the State tax commission. recently
submitted to Governor Proctor, will
be the basis OF discussion until the
adoption OF some measure or meas
ures dealing with various phases OF
this embarrassing issue. Inasmuch
as the members of the commission
were not entirely agreed with refer
ence to all OF the recommendation
embodied in the report, It is safe to
say that a marked diversity Of opin-
lon will exist among the Legislators
regarding the remedies which should
be adopted, and 1t Is hardly safe to
predict under the circumstances what
changes will be made In our laws
| dealing with taxation.
One OF tho planks o: the state re-
| publican platform calls for legislation
which will remove the appointment
| Of license commissioners from the as
sistant judges of the courts and 10
| cate that power elsewhere. One prop
with the power to appoint license
| commissioners; still another Is to
have a state excise commission which
shall deal directly with license hold
ers' as Is the case In some other States.
| In any event we believe there Is n
growing feeling that whatever com
mission is given the power TO deal
with this question should be removed
as far as possible from politics and
to this end the commission should be
made bipartisan through the repre-
sentation OF the minority party on
| such commission or commissions.
| Governor-elect Prouty has stood
| throughout the campaign for election,
as well as during his canvass for the
| nomina ton, for legislation cxtendm &
J to telephone, telegraph, express. cleo
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
DECREE OF PUNISHMENT

Little Bobby had been persistently
mischievous throughout the day and
late In tho afternoon his mother de-
cided to stop his antics.
hobby. II you do not cease ANNOYING
me shall send you to bed without your
supper" she warned.
Ma" began Bobby, seriously, would
you mind telling me what we're going
to ave for supper ?"-Judge.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
THE STORY TELLER.
MIR. wIruERBED FOR HUGHES

At the Essex county republican con-
vention, Mt Elizabethtown. the following
five delegates to tho State convention
were chosen Wallace r. Foote. A. A.
Severance, c. f. Brevort. Walter {.
Witherbee and George A. Stevens.
Mr.. Foote moved that the delegates
be Instructed for Frank s. Wtherbee
for governor. but Walter C.Witherbee,
cousin of Frank &. Witherbee. stated
that Frank S. Witherbee is now in
Europe and that he Is for tho renomina-
tion of Governor Hughes. II Is said that
Mt least four Of the five delegates are
In favor OF the denomination OF Cover
nor Hughes.
Rowland Case Kellogg was renomina-
ted for county Judge. Assemblyman
James y. Shea, Of Lake Placid, was re-
nominated
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
FOR PLEASURE.

In quoting from The speech Of the
president OF the Equal Suffrage
League OF New York at re-
cent meeting. the Washington Star re-
peats one of her stories Of old Hirman
Doolittle.
Hiram made his wife keep cash ac-
count. Every week he would 60 over It.
growing and grumbling like this:
Look here. Hannah, mustard plas-
ters. 80 cents: three teeth extracted. 81!
There's $50 in one week spent for your
own private pleasure. DO you think I'm
made of money!"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10

The Brattleboro Phoenix thinks the
vote of September 1 shows that Vermont
yields nothing IN her steadtastness to re-
publicanism, and holds II remarkable
that the plurality holds so close TO tho
figures OF 1904 and 1900. And yet about
5000 more voters might have registered
their Wills at the polls. II they had been
sufficiently alive. Judging from the total
vote OF previous years.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
SAME OLD GAME.

THAT young man stays until nm I'M
earthly hour every night Doris" said
an irate father to his youngest daughter.
What does your mother say about IT,
We'll, dad" replied Doris as she turn
ed to 20 upstairs. "she says men haven't
altered hit. "---I,fe.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10

The New York Herald grows facetious
over the manner In which the result Of
Nermont's election is regarded in DIFF
ferent political quarters 1t says:
Vermont gives Prouty 5000. Chairman
Mack Is pleased. Chairman Hitchcock Ia
plea ed. Mr., Prouty undoubtedly is
please only persons left to be displeas-
ed seem TO be the defeated candidates
for the goveYnorship.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10

A correspondent Of the New York Post
suggests the use OF "governorial' instead
of "gubernat,onal," urging that the form
er conforms more closely to senatorial"
and similar words. This IS unquestionab-
pie are 30 agreed. the word will be adopt
ed. Meanwhile men will probably be
call t.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10

The Boston Herald says that Maine
while not ranking with Vermont as a
barometer by which political mariners Of
national caiber con forecast the future"
both parties. 1t Is a pity the national
parties can not keep their eyes of these
September States
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
BURLINGTON, THURSDAY. sDf'r. 10
WANTED.

When you want anything. advertise In
the new special column OF this paper
Some bargains are offered there this
week which Il will pay you to read
about See page two, This paper has
more than 5000 readers every week
and one cent a word will reach them ALL
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
BRAND NEW.

officer TO new recruit doing sentry
co. for the first tme). Now, mind you.
let no one go by without challenging
them.
Recruit. That's all right. guv'nor.
Don't YOU worry. The slightest noise
wakes me up.-Punch.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
GETTING IN PRACTICE.

He.-Have you explained to your father
that l love you?
She.-Yes.
He.-What did he say?
She.-Nothing. only went on practic-
ing with tho dumb bells.-IIady's Realm.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
THE NATURAL INFERENCE.

Omer, 'Omer? Who was he, dye
know. Bill?"
Il expect he was the first bioke wot
trained pigeons The Taller
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
HEARTY ENpORSEME NT.

(From the Londonderry Sifter)
Thirty thousand IS hearty indosement
of the present administration of Vermont
under Governor Proctor. We want more
OF the same able management.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10

Terms-sf.oo a Year. In Advance.
DAILY BY mail $500 a year in advance.
RATE IN CANADA.
DAILY..... $500 a year in advance
WEEKLY. $500 year in advance.
FREE PRESS ASSOCIATION.
Publishers, Burlington, VI.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
RATHER CROWDED.

Little drops OF water.
Two or FIVE or four,
Hold ten million microbes
And perhaps some more.
Cleveland Plain Dealer.