Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-10-10
ROUTINE
BUSINESS DONE
Question of Absences Brought Uu
by Bethel Representative
Record of Day.

Montpelier. Oct. 3.-Only routine bust
ness and but little of that was transacted
by the Legislature to-day. The rules of
the last session were adopted by the
House and the use of Representatives
hall was granted to the Daughters OF
1872 on the afternoon of Saturday, Octo-
Der II. for an observance of the centen-
NAL of the war meeting held in the old
first State House.
Provision was made for unwilling the
! tablet to the memory of the private SOL
d,ers from Vermont next Wednesday,
October o. II is understood that Prcsi-
dent Taft will visit Vermont at that time
and he will be formally invited to de.
liver AN address on THE Private Soldier
from Vermont in the Civil War"
The question of absences from House
sessions was brought up this morning by
Mr. Miller OF Bethel. House rule 10 pro-
vides that no member shall absent him
self from the sessions unless he has leave
Of absence or for certain specified rea-
sons. Mr.. Miller. who Ii a clergyman.
desired to go away to attend a funeral
and asked the Interpretation of the speak
Ct as TO the meaning OF the words leave
OF absence" II was the opinion Of the
speaker that the term was intended to
apply only for the protection of members
H. the event of a call of the House He
would not. he said, feel justified. with
out the authorization of the House. In
granting personal leaves. He thought
the whole matter Of absences was one to
be decided by the members themselves.
who knew what they were sent here for
and what their constituents expected OF
them. So far as Mr. Miller's case was
concerned, he was personally entirely
willing he should absent himself If he
desired.
lIapgood of Peru undertook to in
struct the members by introducing a
resolution setting forth that it is the de-
sire Of this House that all its operations
be conducted on strictly business prin-
ciples. with regard solely for the pubic
welfare. regardless of private interests
or party affilia tons. The resolution was
passed. as no one would care 20 go on
record in opposition to such statement
of principles. In Hapgood's case the lat
ter part of his resolution has slight APP
plication. He has flirted with the pro-
gressives during the campaign. accepted
an election as regular republican and
at Yesterdays joint assembly voted for
Harland b. Howe for governor.
There was a disposition on the part
of some of the members to adjourn
Thursday afternoon until next Tuesday.
but the day passed without any such
action being taken. It was felt by the
more experienced members that II would
give a wrong impression and set bad
precedent for the I gislaturc to ad-
| journ the first week after only two
| days work even though there might be
| nothing to take up its time any further.
| 1t is expected though that adjourn
ment will he taken Friday morning I'M
| til next Tuesday. 1t will be impossible
| for any work to be done until the COM
| mttees of the House have been APP
pointed and there is so large a number
| of new members in that body that
Speaker Plumley cannot expect to make
these appointments before next week.