Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-01-12
Small Towns Fear Primary Elec
ton Measure Will Crush
Their Political Power.
NEWSPAPER MEN MALlGNED
Their Motives Impunged but
Speaker Howe Proves a
Sturdy Defender Of the
State Press.

Montpeior Jan. 10--The House this
afternoon by practically unanimous
vote reconsidored its vote whereof" last
Friday 1t passed a primary election hll
and then devoted the entire afternoon To
It further discussion OF the measure.
finally killing it by a yea and nay VOTE"
Of 20 to 1l9.
This was taken up as special ORDER
md tho first question was on the mo-
ton made last Saturday by Mr.. Howard
a6 Whiting that the vote be reconsider
3D. Mr. Howard said he had seen "a new
light. he voted last week for the bill,
but was now opposed to ii. He said if
This bill is right it will stand further in
restigation and discussion, and he hoped
no voice would be raised against re-
consideration.
Mr. Howe of Pennington, who was on
he floor, also spoke in favor of recon-
'idoration and opening up the debate if
there were those who wished to further
fscuss II, and tho House unanimously
voted to reconsider.
Mr.. Hunt of New Haven then moved
hat the hill he re-corl1nitted to the conf
mittee on internal affairs, that a refer
endum attachment might be hitched to
1t. lie said he was willing to trust tho
people Of Vermont to decide this ques-
ton.
Mr., Martin OF Brool,ine opposed any
referendum. He said if we kill the bill
now, If the people OF the state want it,
they will two years hence elect repre-.
sentatives instructed to pass such n bill.
BILL A PARTY PLEDGE.
Mr.. McCuen of Verpennes said there is
m lnsistent demand for such bill. and
this was expressed in the party platform
of last summer. Not only that but such
r law is demanded Of the present Lcgis-
lature. Mr.. Madison Of Glastonbury OPP
posed the bill because 1t Disseminated
nEainst the small towns.
Mr.. Howe Of Bennington again took the
floor in support Of the bill lie went over
some of the arguments he made last Fri.
day In support of the measure for the en-
lghtment of the 10 members who were
absent when the bill was passed. Mr.
Howe said he thought the Judgment OF
Governor Hughes and others OF New
York who had long studied this question
worthy of consideration. The newly
elected Governors of Massachusetts ant
Maine endorse such a law. Mr.. How,
pointed out how under the caucus ant
-
troll matters. He urged the passage o
the bin not in the interests Of large o
small towns but because it is right anc
in the line of progress. He said corpora
;on lawyers can now be seen in the lobb,
opposing this bill, but they have had thei
way long enough and If this bill passe
they will be out in the cold.
DENIES CORPORATION RULE
Mr.. Burbank OF Cabot. Who led tn
opposition to the bill last week agai
spoke against it, He denied that tn
corporation lawyers have had their wa
in Vermont. He also read statistics fror
several counties in the State showing hoy
the law would work in favor OF tn
large and against the small towns. II
reiterated his arguments of last wee
that the passage of this bill would pu
all candidates under the dominion an
power of the State press.
Mr. ByinRton of Charlotte answered tn
arguments of Mr. Burbank and advocate
the passage Of the bill.
Mr.. McCuen of Vergennes spoke
length in regard to the need in Vernon
of a bill Of this kind. and pointed out II
power of the present rings and system
which he contended is absolutely wronj
The voice of the State Grange favol
such law and IL should not be Ignore,
AGAIN. In the State convention in the pa
We have seen delegates from the sma
towns come up to Montpelier or Burln,
ton with their expenses all paid, and the
have been voted like cattle.
Mr. Stafford of Brattehoro pointed OF
very forcibly the fallacy OF the argumel
that the law will discriminate against Il
small towns by showing that the vote
In the large towns will not all vote OF
way. People think on different lines al
they come to different conclusions.
CHAMPIONS SMALL TOWNS.
Mr.. Cory Of Montpelier championed Il
Email towns I'm an argument against t
dill. He said If this bill passes, the SIN;
towns of the State will be counted
nothing. Mr.. Amey of brighton made
stirring speech in support Of the b
me viii be deprived of any rights und
primary law. Under such a law
voters will have voice In electinG {
nen who shall rule over them. som
thing they do not now have
Mr.. House of Berlin defended the coy
mittee on internal affairs that consi
cred this bill carefully and reported
favorably one of the most effect
rDeeches against the bill was made
Mr.. Martin Of Brookllne, who handl
without gloves f. w. Gibson Of Bratt
boro, who has been sending numero