Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-22


vote Of 16 to II to-day passed the bill
allowing taxpaying women to vote in
town meetings and the Governors sigma
ture Is all that is now required to make
the measure law The chief executive
indicated some time ago that he would
sign the bill If 1t should be passed by
the Legislature and there Is nothing to
| indicate that he has changed his mind.
The bill introduced by Senator Villas of
Chittenden county allowing women to
vote for presidential electors will be re-
ported favorably tomorrow morning by
the Senate suffrage and elections COM
mittee and will probably be passed by the
| Senate.
HOUSE SUFFRAGE BILL.
The House suffrage and elections COM
| mittee introduced substitute measure
| this morning in the place of the suffrage
| bills introduced by Representative Stearns
| Of Burlington and Representative Albee
! Of Townshend. Mr. Stearnss bill gave
! women the right to vote in town meetings
on payment of a poll tax while A'r.
| Abees bill allowed women taxpayers TO
vote in town meetings on all questions
relating to the raising OF taxes and the
appropriation of money.
| The substitute bill, provides that e. ry
|
having resided in the State one year next
preceding a general election and who has
| obtained the appreciation of the board OF
/ civil authority and taken the freemans s
| OATH shall have the same rights as men
| to vote for presidential electors. Tax
paying women are given the right or
voting in town meetings. The bill also
provides for referendum by both the
| men and women of the State.
WILL MEET OPPOSITION.
This measure will be vigorously opposed
| by practically all of the suffrage leaders
| in both House and Senate. 1t is believed
! to have a chance of passing the House.
! but unless there is big change In the
| sentiment of the Senate that body will
reject it,
COUNTY LICENSE COMMISSIONERS.
Nv one of the closest votes of the ses-
sion, IA to H. the Senate this morning
passed the bill providing for the appoint
ment by the Governor of county license
commissioners instead OF the present
Imethod OF having the assistant judges or
q county appoint Town license comnis-
sIoners The passage OF this law will
Inullfy the appointments of town license
commissioners, as the bill has been
amended SO that the Governors appoint
ments are to be made in March and the
Inewly-a ppointed town commissioners do
not take office until April 1. Senator
Fairchild of Franklin county made n
strong speech opposing the passage of
the measure which was replied to by
Senators Morse OF Caledonia and Peck
OF Chittenden counties. All four OF the
lCbittenden county senators voted for the
bill
REFERENDUM BILL TO-DAY.
The bill introduced by Senator Morse
Of Caledonia county which is intended to
make the State dry by providing for a
YEARLY referendum on the question OF
whether or not licenses for the sale OF
Intoxicating liquor shall be granted in
Vermont will come up as special order
Tomorrow morning. The measure was
reported without recommendation from
the committee on temperance. Among
other things the bill provides that II q
} majority of the voters want license In the
state and a majority want 1t In q town
that six voters must file an application
for n special town meeting to decide the
kind Of license which shall be granted In
; that town. 1t Is practically conceded that
IL the bill passes. especially with women
ALLOWED to vote in town meetings. that
the State will be dry.
Senator Daniels of Windham county In
, troduced joint resolution relating to
the nayment OF the commissioners ex-
nenses i'm the boundary cases between
vermont and New Hampshire. Senator
luc(,Icllan also introduced a resolution
nroviding for the printing of 1900 copies
| of the proceedings of 19l6-1917 meeting of
the Vermont Historical society.
PREVIOUS DECISION REVERSED.
The House once more reversed a
nrevious decision by rejecting by ar
avo and nav vote of l47 to II, the bill
.hoIishing the office of county and
dcnuty fish and game wardens and
uroviding for the appointment of IL
state wardens. There was stormy
!, debate regarding the bin. in which q
,,rge number of members participated
,nd some rather uncompimentary re
,,orks were made concerning the
l nresent system Of appointing wardens
Y and the appointees themselves The
Sonate hill allowing married women
to dispose Of by their own deed alone
I nronerty of which they were the sole
nroprietors. was rejected Both OF
! these bills were yesterday ordered to
4 third readings by large matorities
THIRD DOG BILL REFLECTED.
The House also rejected the third
: dog bill introduced by the general
= committee, providing for the paymen,
y 20 the state OF all moneys collected
, from dog licenses and fines. and to
(Continued ON page fouv).