The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-01-30
Bill to Repeal the Act Was
Decisively Beaten
in House
VOTE WAS III TO 46
AFTER SHORT DEBATE
Chief Sponsor of Bill Said 1t
Was a Law for the
Large Towns

With only a few minutes devoted L
debate on the measure. Mr.. Williams o
Powlet being alone in its outspoken sup
port, the House this forenoon by yes
and nay vote of III to as killed II. 45
which would repeal the present primary
law.
| The bill came to the House from the
committee on suffrage and elections witt
an adverse report, and it was in the com.
mittee rooms that the fight over tht
measure was waged As result of tht
committee meetings and the sentiment
shown there, it was forcgone conclu
sion that the bill would not pass the
House, but more oratory was antiei.
pated.
/. Mr. Williams, who introduced the bill
said in effect that the primary was fa.
yored by the larger towns, because it en-.
abled them 10 obtain control of more
representatives in the legislature; by the
press of the state and those benefited by
the law, personally and financially. 9th
ers, he said. fully as able men as the
editors, were thoroughly disgusted with
the system.
AIr. Dana of New Haven, Mr.. Phelps of
Fair Haven and Mr. Puffer of Richford
spoke briefly in favor Of the primary and
urged the rejection of the bill before the
assembly Only two of the Washington
county delegation voted To pass the bill,
they being Mr.. Collins of Marshfeld and
Mr. Curtis of Worcester.
The primary repeal measure occupied
so much time in the House that the adj
ministratiun measures, IT. 80, cnnsolidat.
ing six positions under the head Of the
commissioner of agriculture and forestry,
and II. ~, creating commissioner of
industries. We're not reached. Both bills
are reported fayorably, without dis
senting vote in committee. Amendments
are, however, embodied in the first named
bin by making il compulsory for the
commissioner to appoint deputy to
take charge of the forestry department.
instead of optional. and in the other bill
change was made in the wording SO
that the question of the bill being con-
stitutional might pot be raised.
The agricultural bill was made spe-
cal order for 2:30 o'clock this afternoon.
and it is expected that the remainder of
the afternoon will be devoted to debate,
although the opposition. If any exists,
and undoubtedly there does (although it
may not be expressed on the floor of the
Eousel may not develop until the bill
comes up for passage.
Another Bill Killed.
The House also killed House bill "a,
relating TO compensation of town road
Mr. Matott of Poultney
moved that the consideration of the bill
be postponed indefinitely, but the mo-
tion was lost. % to 81. On the question
of its passage, the bill was killed by
decisive vote. The House passed House
bill lS4, relating to the support of pau
pers. and adopted the joint resolution re-
garding visits to state institutions, as
amended yesterday afternoon. The House
also reconsidered amended and ordered
to third reading House bill Il, relating
to the issuance Of operators and special
chauffeurs' licenses and the regulation of
the operation OF automobiles and motor
as amended. providing that a
report to the secretary Of state be suffi
rient in case the value OF the property
damaged does not exceed s.. Another
bill fayorably acted ON was House IL,
providing a penalty for persons escaping
from the Vermont state hospital for the
insane wher committed thereto under
The provisions of section of No. 90G of
.he acts of 1912.
The Senate this forenoon did but little /
work, passing three bills of minor i'm. /
Dortance. Senate A.. to amend acts of |
s85 TO amend the title of the University /
If Vermont and State Agricultural col |
ege. Senate IS, relating to proving wills I
without the state, and House l05, relat-
ng to solicitors fees in foreclosure cases.
Junketing Was Frowned On.
The House yesterday afternoon showed I
N economical streak frowning on a pur-
'ose to conduct junketing expeditions to
he state hospital for the insane at Wat
rbury. TO the retreat at BrattIeboro.
nd to the industrial school at Yer
ennes, although permitting a visit to
he state school for feeble minded at
Brandon. When a joint resolution to
mpower the Senate and House commit
ee on state institutions to visit those
our institutions came up, the commit
n state and court expenses proposed ar
mendment cutting out the visits 10
Brattleboro and Vergennes
ut allowing the visit to Brandon. The
esolution was 80 amended and was or
cred to a third reading.
A bill introduced in the House by Mr.
Iaynes Of Orange providing that all pub
c printing be done within the state
.as killed by the House. Senate bill No.
introduced by Senator Peck Of Chit
snden county and providing that a d.
orce may be granted when either party !
sentenced TO confinement at hard la
or in the state prison for life OF for
lree years or more, and i actually con-
ned at the time. was passed in CON
lrrenee BY the House. II. 6. introduced
' Mr.. Durham Of Brsttleboro and pro- /
ding that a cooperative savings and !
an association organized under the pro- :
sions Of chapter POO Of the public stat h
,es. shall be exempt from taxation of :
: deposits until the net assets OF such ,
.snciation amount 20 one hundred !
ioussnd dollars Was also passed. II. =
J. placing the licensing Of pedtlsrs. tin n
ant vcndcrs an9 auetioncers in tie q