Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-04-05

Montpelier, March S0.--Vermont this aft
ernoon Joined the ranks of the equal cuff
frage States when Governor Graham Sign
ed the bill introduced by Representative
Ernest E. Moore OF Ludlow. and passed
by the Legislature. granting to women
taxpayers between tho ages OF q and 70
the right to vote in town meetings. Even
If this is the only suffrage bill passed dur.
ing the present session, as now secmp
probable. 1t is a substantial victory for
tho suffrage forces. as any woman by
giving her grand list as one dollar and
paying a one cent tax thereon, may vote
in town meetings. There will be another
session Of the Legislature before there Is
another presidential election, SO thai the
fight to allow women to vote for presl.
Dental electors may be renewed at that
time. 1t requires an ainenument to the
state constitution to allow women to vote
for State officers and the constitution can
only be amended every ten years. This
matter cannot be considered in 1870.
PENS AS SOUVENIRS.
There was very little ceremony attend
ing the signing of Vermont's first woman
suffrage law. The Governor used three
pens in affixing his signature. Horace
T.. Graham" one of which will be given
to DR.. Grace w. Sherwood of st. Adams.
president of the Vermont Equal Franchise
League, another to Mrs. E. E. Moore of
Ludlow. wife Of the introducer Of the bill.
and the third to Mrs. A. A. Parmelee Of
Enosburg Falls, who has been for years
one Of the most prominent suffrage work.
ers in the State. The single remaining
suffrage bill now before the Legislature
is the House suffrage and elections COM
mittee measure. granting women the right
to vote for presidential electors and in town
meetings. and providing for referen-
dunn on the suffrage question by the men
and women of the State. This measure
is now before the Senate, where 1t will
probably be killed.
APPOINTMENTS CONFIRMED.
The following appointments were con-
firmed by the Senate this afternoon: John
e. Weeks of Middlebury as director Of
State institutions: Stoddard B. Bates Of
Derby as State highway commissioner
w. r. Warner of Vergennes as a mem
Der of the public service commission
Charles A. Plumley of Mortified as State
tax commissioner: Senator Linus Leavens
of Lamoille county as State fish and game
commissioner; and Robert w. Simonds Of
st. Johnsbury as commissioner Of indus
tries.
The other appointments which Governor
Graham Is thought to have sent to thu
Senate, but which have not yet been con
frmed, are: Park H. Pollard of Caven
dish as the nth member of the board o
control; Frank c. Williams Of Newpor
as bank commissioner: Dewey T. Hanle!
of Montpelier as State purchasing agent
and Elmer R. Darling of Burke as trus
tee Of Middlebury College. These appoint
N,ytl1 ha n
morrow.
WAR CREDIT VOTED.
Both branches Joined in a practice
demonstration of patriotism to-day whe
after a suspension Of rules they passe
the bill introduced in the House b
Speaker Stanley c. Wilson Of Chelsea ar
propriating 900 for military purposes
Governor Graham signed the measure Il
night. The bill provides that the none
shall be used for clothing. equipping an
maintaining the First Vermont Infantr,
National Guard. and such other land an
naval forces as the State may raise an
to carry out the provisions Of the mil
tary laws already on the statute book
The State treasurer is authorized to boz
row on the States credit a sum not q,
ceeding $3.000,0O0 to meet the appropriate
and for the renewal of notes issued b
the State therefor.
HOUSE MOVES QUICKLY.
IN introducing the bill Speaker Wilst
stated that his action gave every membt
a share In the bills introduction. H
told how the various financial institution
Of the State had already offered to owe
subscribe the amount at 3.08 per cent
which Is below the interest rate general
paid to depostors. There was not di
senting vote to the suspension Of Il
rules and the bill was quickly and vnan
mously passed.
THE SENATE DELIBERATES
The Senate, however. apparently d.
not view the measure altogether FAY
orably for it went into executive sci
sion. a most unusual proceeding in
matter Of this kind. as 1t is general
conceded that the people Of the Sta
are entitled to know what the legisl
tors think about the expenditure
money. When the storm had broke
however the doors were opened al
the public was permitted to enter ar
witness the bill ordered to a thil
reading and then passed by a unan
nous in rising vote.
EQUIPMENT is ORDERED.
Practically all of the clothing a.
equipment for a regiment at the II
numerical war strength of 2,06s {
ficers and men. has been ordered
the First Regiment of Infantry. w
mont National Guard. according to
statement given out to-day by
committee of public safety. Much
this equipment has already been l
ceived. some of 1t Is now on the 70
and the remainder which cannot
bought on the open market will b.
livered by May LIST at the late
Forty Of the fifty members Of the Z
tire committee wero present at
meeting this afternoon and nearly
Of the Absentees sent letters or to
grams explaining their ALISON
colonel Ira l. Reeves. president
Norwich University. chairman OF
executive committee presided Q
Governor Graham and Adjutant.Gt
eral Tillotson also were present.
APPEAL FOR RED CROSS woRKE
The committee will ask through
Vermont Federation OF Women's cit
and the board OF trade OF each to-
that tho women OF the state preps
to engage In Red Cross work. TT
will be l.sked to start at once on
task of collecting supplies end
coming skilled In the various brancl