Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1912-12-11
TAXATION DISCUSSED
Some of the Important Measures Now
before the Legislature. Little
Chauce of Adjournment
before Christmas.

The Vermont legislature is getting
through large amount Of work daily
but there is little or no hope of ad-
journment before Christmas, there
being so manv bills in the hands of the
committees. and in the hands of the
revision committee also. Thursday
was given up to a discussion in the
house of the taxation question. A
strong speech against the fiat rate
was made by Mr.. Cook of
Lyndon. who favored the bill exempt
ing money loaned on Vermont real
estate at five per cent interest or
under. Mr. Wright of Williston, Mr..
Comings of Richford and others
spoke in favor of the bill On this
question of taxation the house is
thoroughly divided against itself and
party lines are obliterated. 1t is i'm
possible to judge of the strength Of
the measures, but the impression most
prevalent seems to be that the fiat
rate sentiment is weakening.
The tax situation became further
complicated with the passing by the
Senate of S. sc. the Laird bill, which
extends the principle of the Babbitt
bill so as to exempt not only money
loaned at five per cent or under in the
state on realty, but all money lent
within the state under those condl-
tions, evidenced by mortgage on real
or personal estate or by promissory
note or bond or deed.
The senate adjourned early both
forenoon and afternoon to hear the
house discussion of the taxation
measures. The bills were made
special orders for the latter part of
this week.
Senator Barber's bill, which per-
mits the sale of food, cigars. tobacco
and non Intoxicating drinks, was the
subject of some debate. Senator
Elliot and Senator Blanchard of Or
leans were opposed to any relaxation
of the Sunday law and the introduction
of the continental Sabbath. Senator
Laird pointed out that in the century
or so that had elapsed since the pres
ent Sunday law was passed every
thing had changed except the statute,
and he did not believe that the state
should refuse to legalize what had be-
come common and necessary custom.
Senator Davis called for the yeas and
nays and the bill was ordered to a
third reading by vote of 10 to after
having been amended in some minor
particulars.
Little of general interest was done
last week but large amount of rou-
tine business and unimportant bills
were disposed cf. The legislature ad-
journed Friday until Monday evening
and on Saturday legislators visited the
SpeedwelI Farms and the Lyndon Ag-
ricultural school at Lyndonvile.
! There were about 70 legislators includ-
ing the house committee on agricui-
ture and the appropriation commi ttee.
| The object of this visit was to give
the lawmakers better knowledge Of
what is being done and likely to be
done in this state for elementary ag-
ricultural education. Several bills
pending call for appropriations for
work Of this kind and it was believed
that a knowledge of what Theodore N
Vail is already doing for the state in
this line and some conception of what
he plans to do would have a direct
bearing upon the need for such ex-
penditure.
By a vote of 1O8 to SO, the estate
option" or H. $40, bill was killed in
the house yesterday forenoon.
When this bill was brought up Mr.
Hewitt of Plainfeld made one of the
strongest speeches of the session in
support of the measure. Mr.. Martin
of Bennington spoke twice in opposi-
ton; Mr.. Howley of Burlington op-
! posed the bill Mr.. Hapgood of Peru
and Mr. Lord of Orange favored the
measure After Mr.. Vaughan of Rut-
land town had demanded the yeas and
nays, Mr.. Thomas Of Salisbury op-
posed the bill, as did Mr.. Hulett OF
Rutland. In supporting the proposed
enactment, Mr. Taft of Townsheno
made strong speech, while Mr.. Hap.
good again and Mr.. Pelkey spoke for
and against the measure, respectively
The gist of the argument of the op.
ponents Of the bill was that the measure
was designed to bring about pro
hibition, while those who favored the
bill claimed that it was not the inten
tion of the supporters to bring about
the abuses of prohibition again. The
roll call showed a majority of ter
votes against further progress of the
proposal.
"a woman, 21 years of age, having
grand list Of at least 81, shall have
the same right to vote in town, city OF
incorporated village meetings, on al
matters relating to taxation and the
appropriation of money by the mum
cipality, but nothing herein shall
abridge the right of women to vot,
and hold Office under section 1857 O.
! the Public Statutes. nor extend t,
them the right to hold office except a
provided by sections 986 and 3424 O
the Public Statutes"
This is the text of a bill passed b,
the senate Monday evening after dis
cussion, by a vote of Ia to IL. Tn
bill came in with an adverse report
{ only one member of the commi ttee
, Senator Elliott, voting to report j
favorably, it is said.
Senator Preston opposed the bill
Senators Darling of Orange, McFeeter
and Laird favored it and Senator Dal
5 ling called for the yeas and nays.
! Senators Blanchard of Orleans an
Roy were absent. The vote at frs
, stood 13 to Is but Senator BIanchar
of Windsor county changed his vot
g from nay to yea before the announce
11,oo fro,,o 4bo oboi,