Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-01-08


are the provision of the legal machinery for the nomination
and election of United States senator in conformity with
the amendment to the United States constitution providing
for the election of senators direct by the people, the adjust
ing of statutes to the amended Vermont constitution
result of the adoption of the amendments through
lar vote in the last State election the clearing of
biguity resulting from slip connection with the constu
tona amendment relating to the election appointment of
justices of the Vermont court and matters pertaining to the
wording of the State constitution pressing at this time
On the other hand urged the lack of necessity for
to bridge the legislative interval the short
time that would naturally intervene between the extra ses
sion time this year and the regular session which will
be held beginning next January the large expense which
would inevitably result to the taxpayers of Vermont the
danger of another mxup taxation before the present law
has had chance to have fair trial and so
In instances the question of extra legislative
session discussed though the candidacy possible
ddacy of various for United States senator the all
important consideration for the taxpayers of Vermont and all
other considerations secondary The voter will be
likely to "a plague both your senatorial houses when
the subject is discussed in that light.
If there candidates for the United States Senate
whose election depends upon the particular form which
the election takes place then the hold of those men upon the
people be slight indeed In such the taxpayers
of Vermont will hardly be inclined to go to the large
long of the Legislature help elect any
IT, the other hand extra session is absolute
necessity then the fact that might adversely affect the
candidacy of candidates candidate should
not be allowed to stand in the way.
After the amendment of the constitution providing for
the opinion that this change would make extra session of
Legislature necessary to provide the for the cleo
ton of United States SENATOR as Senator Dnghams term
will expire next March
Since that time bill has been introduced in the United
States Senate by the committee privileges and elections
Of which Senator Dillingham; member to provide tenn
method of conducting the nomination and election of
United States in States where the legal
machinery does not already exist
This provides that the method of nominating
and elecng shall apply to senators until the
pective Legislatures meet and change State laws to
conform to the national constitution 1t in affects
the action of State the adoption of the primary
but the absence of State legislation of that character
determines how the nomination and election shall be
Quoted.
If this should be found unconstitutional has
been minated it is suggested that the Vermont Legisla
re at it's regular session next January might provide for
election of United States senators in connection with the
March meetings and thus the both Of
extra of the Legislature and special election
1915
In the light of these various developments it is mani
testify early that extra session of the Legisa
will be necessary connection with the senatorial prob
lem alone although this would be argument therefor
other considerations reinforcing it.
Suppose the people the coming March should vote in
favor of direct primary seems to be generally con-
coded will be the would the legislators who refused to
pass direct primary bill give genuine direct primary
BILL if called in extra session? If not would the Governor
be justified in forcing the extra the people? If
the for example, indicate their determine
on under such circumstances to give genuine direct
primary law it would manesty be argument in favor of
extra session If the present Legislature not in
favor Of direct primaries manifesy the people would prefer
wait and elect another legislature with this duty of
the chief the election that would provide for real
direct primary nomination and election the national
uton calls for in connection with choice of United States
senator's
far the choice of justices Of the Vermont courts
is concerned the vacancies will not until next Decem
ber Will the apiSl will
Manesty there rush for extra session in that
necton at this time.
So far discern the question of an extra session
of the Legislature will not seriously confront the people of
Vermont until after the referendum the direct primary
next March, and the situation after that will naturally de-
pend upon developments.
If the people vote for direct primary they will mani
testify the real article and not direct primary in
the existing law such the bosrdden New
Legislature forced the people of the Empire State
until popular uprising in favor of genuine direct