Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-10-24

the woman suffrage bill Thursday even
ing.it iuin
1.-TWO RAILROAD PROPOSITIONS.
Two railroad propositions are expected
to come up shortly from Windham
county. but 1t Is hoped to avoid any such
controversy as was developed from Brat
tleboro two years ago. Plans have been
made for two routes, one running direct
~ from Wilmington to Brattie1oro and
che other connecting Brattleboro with
Wilmington by way of Greenfield. Mass.
1t Is understood that the owners Of the
Hoosac Tunnel and Wilmington road Will
extend the line to Brattleborc, II given
a charter. without calling for any H.
ancial assistance, and the line followed
by their survey. wholly In Vermont,
would touch and accommodate more
Vermont towns than the other route pro-
posed. Bills asking charters for roads
along both proposed routes are expected
to be introduced, but II is hoped that
some way Of harmonizing the two plans
may be devised and controversy averted-
An important measure to he introduced
by Senator Laird OF Washington pro-
vides for several amendments to the elec-
ton laws. though only two changes of
Importance are to be effected by these
changes. One is TO provide n separate
ballot for representatives In Congress.
and the other to have nominations now
required to be filed with the county clerk
filed with the secretary OF state, ex-
cept for nominations for county offices
DIFFERENT QUALIFICATIONS.
Tho constitution nf ha T-pft Cd Gtoto On
provides that the qualification Of electors
for representatives to Congress shall be
the same as for electors of representatives
to the most numerous branch Of the
State Legislature. The present Vermont
statute provides that nominations for
representatives In Congress shall be
printed on the same ballot as nominal
tons for State officers. The qualifications
for voting for representatives to the
General Assembly are different from those
of electors OF State officers. Yet a man
who Is entitled to vote for State Officers
and Is not entitled to vote for town rep
resentative is given ballot on which
is printed the nomination for representa-
tive to Congress and Is allowed to vote
for such representative. though under
the federal constitution he Is not entitled
to vote for that officer.
The vote in Vermont congressional dis
tricts Is not close enough 80 that the
improper voting In this manner has any
real effect on the result, but such voting
lie apparently In direct violation Of the
constitutional provision and 1t is a good
time to change It before the need of a
change Is apparent
The hill IN no iptrodicad uii proyid,
that a separate ballot be furnished for
representatives to Congress and that the
ballot shall be of blue paper
WOULD CUT PRINTING EXPENSE.
The present law requires the county
clerks to provide tho ballots for all Off
GERS except town representatives and jus
tees of the peace. The proposed law
would require all such ballots to be fur
nished by the secretary Of state. This
will effect some economy In the matter
of printing, but the main purpose is 10
have all nominations except those relating
directly to a town or city filed with the
secretary of state and all ballots to be
furnished under his supervision. The time
| allowed for furnishing such ballots is re-
duced from eight days to five days pre-
vious to election.
This measure will 70 hand in hand with
another now in course OF preparat ION,
which provides for publicity of campaign
expenses. This requires all candida ;cs for
office to be voted on at general election,
that Is, all but town and county officers,
to file sworn statement of their en-
penses In securing nomination with the
secretary of state, and also requires can
didates and committees to file q state
ment of campaign expenses on the day
after the last day for filing nominations.
and another statement Immediately after
election.
This certificate must contain not only
a statement of all expenditures made,
but of ali expenses incurred, whether
paid or remaining unpaid and all
promises OF position which have been
made by the candidate or on his behalf
individuals are forbidden to expend
money directly for campaign purposes
bur must make their contributions
through n candidate or committee. Can
didates failing to make return of their
preconvention expenses will not be en-
titled to have their names printed on
the official ballot, and officers elected
may not be commissioned until n state
ment of their expenses has been filed
as required.
Mr.. Callahan Of Montpelier has n bill
which provides that when wife Sc
curing divorce is decreed real estate
as her alimony she shall cause a copy
of such order and decree to be filed In
the town clerks office within thirty
days.