Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-19
House Kills Senate Measure In
creasing Salary to $4,000 af-
ter Present Term.
TITCONB IS DENIED $2,i47
Disagreement about Length Of
Holiday Recess-Direct In
heritance Tax Bill Passed
by the House.

Montpelier, Dec. lS-Thc House this
afternoon refused to order to "A third
reading the bill increasing the salary Of
the governor to s4.Do. This is a Senate
bill and passed the upper chamber large
ly through consideration for Mr.. Laird.
the ntroducer. 1t had been asserted that
the bill was introduced to ombarass the
Governor and Mr. Laird entered dis
claimer when the bill came up for con-
slderation 1t is well understood tina,
Governor Fletcher does not favor such
bill and it has been amended so that
1t will not apply to his official term.
His idea is that the State pays rea-
sonabc salary for the actual services it
requires and receives from its chief exc
cutiNe, and that If it is thought best to
make provision for maintaining the dig
nifty of the office by the creation Of
larger contingent fund on which the gov
ernor may draw for certain official func-
tons and tor attending with his staff
official functions ana exercises outside
the State. the increase should bo made
H. that fund and not IN the official
salary.
Tn" bill to reimburse John w. Tit
comb commissioner OF game and fish
cries for SLIT. which he had expended
in excess of his appropriation. refused
n third reading yesterday. was called up
by Nh. Gage of Weathersfield and after
vote of III to SO.
RCMOR T1TCOMB MAY RESIGN.
There appears to be no question that
the amount called for has been expended
and is properly vouchered. but the tenn
per OF the House is opposed to allowing
State officials to exceed their appropra-
tions. There was rumor about the
State House this afternoon that Mr. Tit
comb would resign his position, but it s
not yet confirmed.
The codihcation of the fish and game
laws, prepared under the direction OF
| Commissioner Titcomb, with the advice
and assistance of some OF the best all-
| thorties on such matters In tho country
Is ready to be reported by the joint com
mttee on game and fisheries. The report
| is in such form that a reprinting Of the
| hill will be necessary for there is hardly 4
! section which mas not been changed in
| some respect.
RNMENT is NOT SETTLED.
The matter of adjournment for the
| Christmas recess is still in the air, though
| the approximate duration OF 1t can he
| reasonably determined The House has
not yet considered the Senate resolution.
| The House resolution. ordered to lie yes
! terday afternoon. was called up to-day
| by Mr. Weeks of Middlehury. Mr.. Hap
| good of Peru tried to have the resolution
amended but Was defeated, 21a to S The
resolution was sent TO the Senate and
there ordered To lie. The House rosolu-
tion provides for adjournment from Fri
day evening. December -. to Monday
evening. January i.
The bill substituting clectrocution
for the present method OF execution
was passed 10y the House, the only
opponent being the Rev j. WESLEY
Miller of Bethel. Mr.. Miller's opposi.
tion was not based on the merits -
the bill but he thought the expens.
of erecting "A death house was need
less.
PASSES INHERITANCE TAN BILL
In it's seeking after larger revenues
for the State the House this mornn 4
passei the direct inheritance tax bill
There were some attempts at amend
ment watch failed. and one raising
, the amount which passed. but the bill
went through. some of the opposition
not being voiced.
Seven bills were introduced in IN,
House but none appeared in the Sen
ate. though there still remain larg,
, number in the hands of tine commit
tee on revision
+ The bill providing for "a monumcn
, and statue of Gen william Wells -
the battlefield of Gettysburg was or
dered to a third reading In the Senat,
: after being amended. on motion >
. Mr., Dyer Of Ad llson, by striking on
the word statue.
q The bin in clatioD to tho injury Il
g electric companies property caused tn
g longest debate the Senate has enjoyed thi
d session. Mr.. Dale, the introducer, offere
t an amendment inserting the words "an
without right" and consented to anothe
Y striking out the forfeiture of 800 to til
}. company injured. since II was shown tina
. there would remain sufficient right
action and recovery. These were adopte,
a SENATOR DALE SARCASTIC.
X Mr.. Barber then offered an ameno
Y ment, to substitute 'maliciously" fC
$ 'wilfully and Intentionally" in the nr,
section where they rotate To- tho perso
Il doing such damage az Is contemplate
@ Mr.. Barber believed the bin was tc
Is stringent II any one should he subjecte
II to the penalties II provides when he il
n tended no harm, Mr.. Laird favored II
N amendment Nh. Dale. after two passag,
t. at arms. made a fiercely sarcastic speeC
j. opposing the amendment and was SUI
m | norted by Mr.. Johnson
le The Senate read the third time the b'
te regulating the sale and distribution
B. electric energy, and then ordered it
d, lie and be made a special order on motto
10 OF Mr.. Ratchelder, who explained tn
[e some people stl desired Ia be heal
n ana that il was quite possible that son
ID minor changes should be- made in n
It. bill.
tsI The lolnt committee on public heaii
Viii hold "A ruhllc hearing on II 9.d,