Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-02-13
Shrewd Tactical Move by Repre-
sentatives Opposing a $780,
900 Office Building.
TAXATION STILL UNSETTLED
Committee on Final Adjournment
Makes No Report-Bill for
Support of Government
Submitted.

Montpelier. Feb. by a shrewd tacti-
cal move the House members who are
opposed to the erection OF new building
ed the responsibility for a vote on the
bill appropriatinr $4,000 for that pur-
pose on the people of the State. and
avoided either going on record or taking
their chances Of defeat.
Tho amendment offered by Mr. Orvis
Of Manchester and adopted provides for
a referendum vote on the question. If
the people of the State favor the pro-
posal the bill is to become effective next
July; If not 1t is to become effective in
1915 1t Is well understood that n large
majority of the people of the State are
not familiar with conditions about the
capitol. and naturally will vote against
any large appropriation unless they are
convinced that it is needed.
If more room is not provided, the State
librarian in year will have to cease
shelving books that are acquired as the
shelving space in the library will have
been exhausted This alone constitutes
one of the important reasons why more
room should be secured, but this is one
Of the questions on which very few peo-
pie can be expected to be really informed.
As soon as the Senate was officially in
formed this morning that the House had
adopted the Joint resolution providing for
n special Joint committee to prepare and
present a taxation bill, the president APP
| POINTED as such committee on the part OF
the Senate Mr.. Barber. Mr.. johnson, Mr.
. Dyer Of Addison, Mr. Darling Of Orange
and Mr.. Mower.
ONLY RUMOR OF AGREEMENT
There are various rumors aioat regard
ing proposals that this committee will
submit, and It was asserted this after
noon that n tentative agreement had al
ready been reached and bill was COM
pleted and ready for Introduction, but
the most careful investigation that can
lie made at this time does not disclose any
such situation. There is, however a
prospect that some measure may be
drafted and agreed upon that will meet
the approval of a majority and can be
enacted into law. though It is not ex-
pected that this will be any measure Of
far-reaching Improvement
The bill for the support Of government
came in this morning from the committee
on appropriations. It carries 800 900 for
the contingent expenses Of the present
General Assembly: $1,000 for the ex-
penses in 1914; $4,000 annually for the
support of the insane; 50, COZ annually for
the State prison: $4,000 for the house Of
correction: $40, 900 for the industrial school;
$1,000 for interest on bonds $50, 900 for
the executive department $3.50 90 for the
administration Of justice.
The committee on final adjournment
made no report to-day. 1t Is apparent
from the record that no large progress
has been made this week in the final
disposition of bills 1t has previously been
announced that this committee would
make no recommendation In regard to
final adjournment until the taxation ques-
ton had been disposed OF, and that mat
ter Is still largely in the air 1t is I'M
derstood to be the purpose OF the COM
niittee to make a report early next week.
stating the condition of business and MAX
ing a recommendation of the date when
the Legislature shall cease attempting To
do business.
MEDICAL INSPECTION AT HOUSE.
The bill providing for medical inspection
of schools was passed by the Senate this
morning after further debate. Several
of the senators were opposed to grant
ing such powers to a physician, who may
be selected through favoritism or pull,
and to subiecting the pupils to inspection
at the hands of a stranger in the school
room. Mr.. Blanchard Of Orleans moved an
amendment in the interests of the Chris
tan Scientists, who have conscientious
scruplos against the employment OF a
physician. Amendments were finally adopt
ed which will permit the examination OF
pupils. being made at the home and the
certificate OF The family physician re-
lieving the child from further examina-
ton at the hands of the medical in
spector.
The bill providing for State detention
farm was passed by the House, but the
vote was reconsidered and the bill was
ordered to lie until next Tuesday.
1t is peculiar that, although the matter
OF working prisoners on the highways
was discussed in connection with this
measure and received small favor, thu
Senate bill providing for such employ
ment was ordered to a third reading with
out debate
WANTS TINE LIMIT ON BILLS.
A Joint resolution was offered In thu
House this morning to the effect that nt
bills shall be introduced except from thu
committees on ways and means and ap
preparations This was amended to taxi
effect next Tuesday and was adopted OF
the part of the House, but will probabl,
lie In the Senate until after the date wher
tt Is expected to take effect.
The House is to meet tomorrow morn
tng, but the Senate has adjourned unit
Monday evening. The routine work o
the upper chamber was conducted par
of the time this afternoon with only fou
So nators present. but as there was gen
fral agreement in regard to the mino
bills on the calendar there could be NJ
objection to this method or disposing
the accumulation of business.