Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-01-28

cally all who live at distance. and
Monday evening Is thereby reserved as
an open date for committee meetings.
The House bill providing that at all
elections each voter must mark cross
opposite every name that he votes for is
going into the House with majority
and minority report The committee vote
Ia Q to in favor Of the bill The bill
would do away with party columns which
can be voted straight with but one mark
at the top. II is numbered House 61
and is fathered by Mr.. Hapgood, who
finds a strong sentiment for II among
some leading men.
RUSSELL DIRECT PRIMARY BILL
Mr. Russell's direct primary bill, House
bill 49, contains few additional pro-
visions which are not covered in Senator
Simond's bill. II is an open primary. only
not so free and open. 1t sets the date OF
the primaries at the first Tuesday OF
September. 1915. and biennially there
after. Declaration Of candidacy and filing
fee required forty days prior to all pri-
maries II candidates name is to appear
on the official primary ballot
The great distinction between the two
bills Is that Mr.. Russell's bill requires
! taht each voter at a primary shall at
the time of announcing his name
designate the party with which he wishes
| to affiliate, and he receives the ballot
| OF but one party. Senator Smonds' bill
| gives each voter all the party ballots
| and he does not announce his choice
| Under Mr.. Russel's bill a tie vote is
settled by lots drawn by the proper Of
fcer. except in the case of town repre-
sentatives which is decided by another
ballot A recount is granted to any de-
feated candidate who pays a fee
Party conventions provided for in the
latter part OF September. The nominees
Of each party for every office shall meet
in State convention for the purpose OF
adopting a party platform, nominating
presidential electors. and efrectng an
organization for the following two years.
A political party is any organization
which at the last general election polled
at least three per cent. Of the entire
vote Of the State for governor.
THE STEERING COMMITTEE.
The steering committee Of five is now
appointed and will soon start work The
committee Is composed Of Senators Pow
ell and Divoll and Mr. Proctor Of Proc
tor. Mr.. Hewitt Of Plainfeld. and Mr..
Wilson OF Chelsea The work Of the
committee will be to get the principal
bills introduced as soon as possible. to
follow the bills into the committees
through the chairman and 20 get &C
ton upon them as soon as possible. and
to hasten the date Of adjournment by
suggesting more systematic methods OF
work.
| . The steering committee is usually sci
u work by a resolution introduced dur
ing the last two weeks Of the session.
Now that It Ia set In motion early in the
session by Senator Powells resolution
it will have an opportunity to achieve
some noticeable results.
SEEKING so-DAY SESSION
A 6o-day adjournment is set as tn,
goal. The last Legislature cost the State
900 and the committee hopes that thi.
Legislature may be so speedy and thor
ough that at least $4,000 may be savet
this year on legislative expenses ant
used for proper State development
The omnibus bill revising the statute
to harmonic with the amendments viii
be in this week IN printed form. Tit
, educational bill is also being printed
. and will soon be IN the hands Of tn
Governor. The first two primary bill
are in and more may be expected. Tn
prohibition measure Is introduced. TIL
, 1udgeship problem Is disposed Of. 81
, four more Of the big questions will 1901
be brought to light, and next wee
should see considerable progress.
! SMALL TOWNS KILL A BILL.
The House turned down House bill 8
creating a commission to establish
uniform eystem Of town. city and villag
accounts This has come up In severa
sessions before. but it was usually re
jected by the small towns, In the de
bate on the bill Mr.. Caswel said tina
II created another commission. whicl
was undesirabe and that II would no
be favored ny many Of the small towns
Mr.. Taylor OF Springfield and Mr. Mors
Of Ffardwick pointed out that the sma.
towns had the option OF accepting
rejecting the plan suggested, and pointe
out the need for It in many towns an
:, the savings effected II was voted dow
=, by Ai to u. IN spite Of the favorabl
committee report, the small town vot
, being In evidence against It.
a The bill providing chairs for fenal
:, employees received the opposition of Nj
~ Hapgood. who said that It was a refectio
". on the State. and was unnecessary legis
- lation 1t wac ordered to a third READ
q ing with gusto
ID ON wOMEN's PROPERTY RIGHTS
= The property rights of married wome
bill which makes more explicit the
d present rights in case of drunken. II
d sane or criminal husbands. was ordert
ID to a third reading
In the Senate Senator Powell present'
" bill which would prevent the publis
r ing Of anonymous communication
,e newspapers II such letters attempt
e. defame the character Of any person II
IS ling or dead SEQ fine is attached.
II Senator Holcomb of Grand Isle intr
'r ducevi bill granting William N. swe
10 exclusive ferry rights across Lake Char
~ plain bstwpen Isle la Motto and Chai
Is Landing for A term OF % years.
SENATE-MORNING.