Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-02-25

Montpelier Feb. 24.--The House KILL
ed the woman's suffrage bill this after
noon by vote Of 129 to 100. after two
hours of discussion and amending and
in the presence of a large number of
women. who were keenly interested in
the result. The amendments con-
cerned the qualifications for voting and
whether or not women should be re-
quired to pay a poll tax. The bill as
introduced by the suffrage association
was short and simple in phra seolory.
Its general terms same rights as men"
gave rise to doubts as to whether the
same obligations were imposed whether
tax list was required, ana a poll tax
required. The bin as it finally came
up for vote on the question of third
reading contained specific provisions
that "a woman over y and under 20.
and citizen. may at her option have
her poll set in the list at 50 and shall
then have the same right to vote in
town meetings as men"
close vote was anticipated ever
since the Senate passed the bill nearly
two weeks ago by vote of 20 to ..
The tax qualification was one of the
rocks which the bill struck The other
was the activity of II large number
of anti-suffragists, and the opposition
and inertia OF the women in practical
ly every town where the members
sought to gain an expression of senti-
ment. Several representatives, said be
fore and after the vote this afternoon
u am in favor of the principle of equal
suffrage. but large majority of the
women in my town don't want it and
have told me so"
TAX REQUIRED
Mr. Miller asked for further informa-
ton on the bill, He wished to know
about the tax qualifications. Mr.. Ora
ham OF Rockingham In reply quoted two
supreme court opinions as applied to the
statute granting equa! suffrage to women
on school questions. These showed that
tax was required IN order to vote and
hold office in municipal elections. a list
for property is required in order to be
legal voter. but a poll tax Is required
from men under another statute Tn
less the poll tax statute was amended he
thought that women would be exempted.
If amended he wished 'his to be done
later after the suffrage act was passed,
Mr. Miller said: II have long con
tended that a woman who pays tax
should vote, and I believe that a woman
who votes should pay a tax" He then
introduced an amendment which re-
quired a poll of 81 and il a woman chose
to pay this, she could vote.
Mr. Morse of Hardwick amended fur
ther ny leaving out the poll tax qualih-
cation and requiring each woman to file
a list of 800 or rYpre in order TO vote.
He thought that a woman could file a
list Of 500 whether she had it or not
This amendment was lost Mr.. Miller S
amendment was finally carried by a large
majority after being further amended SO
as TO allow women over 70 to vote with
out paving tax. and after containing
a provision for equality IN town oHice
holding.
Mr. Soule would let women in for halt
price since they could not possibly se,
State voting privileges This was lost.
Dewey r. Haney's reappointmcnt to
the Office of purchasing agent was con-
tirmed by the Senate to-day.
The eugenic marriage bill was again
ordered to lie because of the absence
or MT. Moore OF l-uuibW VINO is rain
ering the bill.
OTHER BILLS ARE KILLED.
The House was In "A negative frame
OF mind this morning. a bill to pro-
hibit the carrying Of concealed weap-
ons without license was killed The
present law imposes no penalty upon
the carrying of concealed weapons
unless intent to XIII Is proved. II
369. relating to the registration of
guides. after going to u third reading
was killed That was blow at the
farmers boy was the plea
The passage OF y. As. enlaitging the
powers OF the factory inspector, was
refused after considerable debate
Atwell. Stacey and others expressed
distrust about granting much power to
any man to regulate methods of bust,
ness establishments, AS for safety
devices. it was said that liability in
surance inspectors provided for their
inspection. Mr.. Miller of Bethel and
Mr.. Morse of Hardwick stated that this
bill merely provided for genuine en-
forcement Of the existing child labor
laws.
An appropriation OF 5000 for 70.