Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-01
REP. v. /. BUNDY
DIES At CAPITAL
Fourth Member of Vermont
Legislature to Pass Away
during Present Session.
WAS "a YEARS OF AGE.
Some sharp Talk at Hearing on judi
eisry Dills-yecond Suffrage Meas
urc Special Order March 4.

Montpelier, Feb. T.-Although two sena-
tors and the chaplain of the Senate have
died during the present legislative ses-
sion. the first death among the representa-
tives occurred to-day when Representative
William II. Bundy of Manchester died
at one o'clock this afternoon of heart
disease. Mr.. Bundy, who was "A years
old, was taken Ill at nine o'clock this
morning, but was not considered to be In
a serious condition until just before he
died. The House adjourned in honor OF
his memory, almost Immediately after
convening this afternoon. Mr.. Bundy..
who was retired builder, had always
lived in Manchester. where he was born.
He was postmaster during President
Harrison's administration and had held
various town offices.
The body will be taken tomorrow morn
ing to his late home at Manchester,
where the funeral will probably be held
Friday afternoon.
DEFENDS DISTRICT COURT BILL.
Prefacing his remarks with the
statement that he respected an honest
opponent, but detested stabbing in the
back, Senator Morse of Caledonia
county, introducer of the administra-
tion district court bill. dared the men
to come out and fight, who had been
insinuating and rumoring concerning
Governor Graham's motives in propos-
ing the judiciary changes and flayed
certain opponents of the measures as
representatives of large interests.
who did not wish to see a law enacted
which would enable n poor man to Sc
cure Justice without going into bank
ruptcy.
Senator Morses speech and the argu-
ment presented by Representative
Stearns of Burlington featured the
third and final public hearing on the
ADMINISTRATORS two judiciary bills
which was held this evening. Mr..
Stearns' bill abolishes the superior
court and increases the number of
supreme court justices from four to
nine. Senator Morse's measure abol-
ishes the present municipal and city
courts and establishes thirteen district
courts for the entire State. The jur-
isdiction of justices Of the peace is also
changed. The basic points in the
arguments propounded by those favor
ing the bills are that the present
court system is too expensive, that
there are too great delays for the
litigants and that suitable juries are
not procured for county courts.
In addition to Senator Morse and Rep
resentative Stearns, w. B. Lord Of Mont
pelier spoke in favor of the bills. John
W. Gordon Of Barre. Alexander Dunnett
Of st. Johnsbury and w. Fl. Preston Of
Fair Haven, nuously opposed the bills
Mr.. Gordon said that the expenses under
the present dual system were less than
under the old single court system. Mr..
Dunnett thought the feature of the su-
h lx{ ON in> ne
lower court judgment automatic when the
case was not acted upon within two years
was unconstitutional and entirely wrong.
MIR. Preston stated that the present sys-
tenn of courts was the right one and
should be maintained. It was also claim
ed that the cost Of building court houses
and supplying clerks and vaults for the
district courts. should weigh against the
latter bill.
MIR. STEARNs SARCASTIC.
Mr.. Stearns with biting sarcasm paid his
respects to 'One Harry +. Shurtleff," a
speaker at previous hearing. who in a
letter written to local evening paper
questioned the authorship Of the able ar
gument given by MI. Stearns at the initial
hearing and also whether the argument
should be sustained and not apologized
for. ......
ment was his own and also that he was
not responsible to Mr.. shurtleff or any
one else for his remarks made on tho
floor Of the House. with regard to the bill
LIVELY FIGHT EXPECTED.
A hot fight is expected in the House
tomorrow morning on the question of re-
considering the vote by which the adj
,ninistration measure creating the office
of director of State institutions was this
afternoon made a special order for
March 18th. The leaders of the adminis-
tration forces want the bill recalled and
passed at once, and it is claimed that
they understood that it was to have been
made special order for tomorrow
afternoon.
VOTE ON SUFFRAGE BILL MARCH g.
The bill granting to women taxpayers
tho right TO vote in town meetings was
made special order for March 8th by q
vote of 10l to 100 this morning. The bill
was sent back to the House with q d.
vided report, the majority reporting It.
adversely.
Mr.. Fenton of Rutland moved that it
be made special order. which was op-
posed by Mr.. Moore Of Ludlow. introducer
OF the bill. some heated words ensuing.
Mr.. Metzger of Randolph acting as peace
maker. Mr.. Fenton and Mr.. Moore diff
Tered as to whether or not the special
oroer had been agreed upon in commit
tee.
TIME LIMIT ON BILLS.
The House adopted the resolution limit
Ing the time for the introduction OF bills
TO March 7th and also adopted one in
troduced by Mr.. Fenton, providing for a
legislative steering committee. The lat
ter resolution provides that A committees
OF TWO senators and three representatives
be appointed by the president of the Sem
ate and the speaker OF the House to
expedite legislation and to devise WAYS
and means for effecting an early adjourn
mont.
WANTS LONGER RECESS.
Tho Senate has asked for a committee on
conference on the resolution relating TO ad
journment from March 3 until March IA
The long recess said Senator Peck would
enable the judiciary committee to devote
four days time to considering the revised
statutes
conference committee was also asked
Tor the Senate measure relating to the
value Of animals killed by order Of the
livestock commissioner. which was re-
turncd to the Senate by the Governor.
CURBS OFFICE snEkERs.
The measure providing that no senator
or representative shall during the term
Of office for which he may be elected. be
eligible to any office. the election of
which is vested In the General Assembly
pnr ahal II ha he annOiufad IN anu civil ~