Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-01-21
BY Its Terms State Would Go
Dry in February, 1916, If Law
Is Approved by Popular Ref.
erendum.
JUSTICES SHOW SPIRIT
Their Attitude of Peaceful Res.
ignation Less Marked-Res-
tcration Of Former Supreme
Court Observation-Disclosures
for Overdrawing Account.

Montpelier, Jan. 19.--GoVernor Gates
N still weighing Senate bills and oil
that 1t entails or the Justiceship cues
tion.
Contrary TO expectations he did not
He still has two more days before
sending IN hts verdict
There was more uncertainty in the
air to-day than before. More are
found who are confident that he will
not sign the bill. although these are
not equally sure in assigning move
for such an action.
The attitude of the supreme court
justices was not markedly one of
peaceful resignation All are await
ing the Governors announcement.
The personnel Of the next supreme
court IL the all-absorbing topic at the
capitol That the old court will be re-
stored is no longer doubted by any OBJ
server. Whether the work of restoring
the old order will go so far back as to put
Judge Munson in as chief justice Is the
greatest point now Issue. This Is IA
vored by several members Of the bar on
the grounds that Judge Munson would
have been the natural choice OF the peo-
ple and the Legislature by rule of prior
ity had they filled the place left vacant
by Chief Justice Rowell. The other SEN
timent Is in favor of letting we'll enough
alone and would not go way back into
the past and open up any old sores If
such they may be called.
OPINION VARIES
County meetings are scheduled for to-
day and tomorrow and the question of
the personnel of the next supreme bench
IL the subject which will be well thrashed
out on these occasions. The only state
ment of fact that can he made at present
is that sentiment on the subject has not
yet crystallized. There is not in evidence
the under current of strong unanimity
that was felt during the discussion of
Senate Dill .. fixing terms of the justices.
This is natural, because the question ut
issue now ia almost entirely personal. and
not constitutional.
A State detention farm is provid ed
FOR by Senate bill a. introduced by Sena-
tor Carver. Three commissioners and
the Governor would determine the loca-
ton and effect the purchase. for which
$4,000 would be appropriated The pro-
posed farm il for the correction OF Grim
inal offenders. not punishable by death
prison sentence. Such r. measure was
vetoed by Governor Fletcher at the last
session.
The ants are to have their inning, ac-
cording to Senator PowelIs resolution
granting the of the House on the
evening of February for the Vermont
Society Opposed to Equal Suffrage.
Those who overdraw their bank &C.
counts may receive more stringent pun
ishment. If Senator Powelrs latest bill
Senate 90. becomes law. The maxi
mum penalty is 5000 or sentence not
exceeding five years.
FAVOR SUFFRAGE BILL.
The House made a firm stand to-day
,.2ainst any completely between State Of
tcers and the newspapers Of the state
a Joint resolution, introduced by Mr.
Stacy of Hartford, creates AN investi-
eating committee TO investigate the stu
alton "as regards the financial inter
est and control OF State officials IN news
papers published in this State"
Orleans county members met to-day
end, with one abeeH., voted Il 10 s. In
favor of the woman suffrage Nil as In
troduooc in the Senate
Mos. o, the work Of the day vas done
hy committees, md they con sidered very
few bills OF srcat Importance Tho COM
nrittee on game and fisheries. as usual
had batch OF Unnecessary bills which
it was necessary 10 sit on.
The prohibitory bill. House bin lG2
was introduced this morning by Mr.
Perry Of Bratticeoro. BY its term'
the State would go dry in February
1916. if tho law Is approved by A. pop
ular referendum next November. i
contains 81 sections. Amor}g Its pro
visions total abstinence pledge fol
those who get suspended sentences
and a person injured in person or "
property by an intoxicated person
shall have a right of action agains
the man who furnished the liquor I,
tho intoxicated person
HAPGoOD RESOLUTION TABLED
Mr.. Hapgood's resolution requcetinl
the justices to resign was laid on tn
table indefinitely by his own motion
The voluntary resignation of the cour
would be preferable and Mr. Hapgoo
realized that the resolution met wit
i'll favor from the very men who wer
the most earnest advocates of tn
Powell bill.
The machinery for the direct elec
ton of United states senators 10 pro
vided in House bill LOT, introduced b
Mr. Wilson Of Chelsea. If there is n
election the Governor is empowere
to call a special election on the frs
Tuesday in February IL n vacanc
occurs the Governor is authorized I
call for an election at the time OF tn
next general election and 20 I'll tn
vacancy in the interim.
The Glastonbury representative. job
J.. Mattison, appeared to-day for tn
frst time. and took the oath OF onic
at the bar OF the House. There ar
still two other representatives to ar
pear.