Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-29
g.. AGE LEADERS
OPPOSE THE BILL
Do Not Like Substitute Meas
ure introduced by Commit.
tee on Elections.

an suffrage fight OF the 1917 session
OF the Legislature is by no means end
ed was indicated this afternoon whom
by "a yea and nay vote Of 1913 to So. the
House ordered to q third reading .
Suffrage bill. which had the unique
distinction Of being opposed by all Of
the Suffrage leaders The bill was In
troduced by the suffrage and elections
committee as a substitute for the one
introduced by Representative Stearns
OF Burlington, allowing women to vote
In town meetings and reducing the poll
tax to one dollar and the measure
fathered by Representative Albee OF
Townshend, allowing tax-paying wom-
to vote in town meetings on money
questions. Mr.. Stearns made a strong
fight against the action of the commit
tee and got his original bill before the
House In the shape of an amendment
to the committee bill. but 1t was de-
feated by vote of 1913 to SO.
The attitude of the House members
seems to be that of men rather weary
Of the woman suffrage question. who
have Jumped all of the voting rights
which can be given women into one
I bill, tackled on a referendum clause for
both men and women voters and hav-
ing done this wish to be rid Of the
question, by passing the committee bill
which provides for these things.
There is certain to be another fight to-
morrow morning when the bill comes UP
on the question Of passage, although II
does not seem probable that 1t will be re
jected. In the Senate, however. where
the Villas woman suffrage bill allowing
women to vote for presidential electors
was ordered to third reading this morn
t.,.~ &c. 800 - 49, h. attff v>u Ga q a.
ers are confident the new measure will
meet its death. The debate on the bill
was the most enlivening feature Of q
rather dull day in the House and wa
participated in by Representatives
/ Stearns, Metzger Rowland. Moore OF
Ludlow and Albee who favored the
Stearns amendment and Representatives
Candon. Phelps and Fenton, who favored
the committee bill. Mr.. Fenton succeed
ed in having an amendment TO Mr.
Stearns' amendment passed. making the
poll tax two dollars. but this died will
the original amendment.
COMMISSIONER BILL RECALLED.
The fight on the bill to have the Gov
ernor appoint county license commission
ers instead Of having this done by thu
assistant county Judges appointing towl
commissioners will be renewed in thu
Senate at 1880 o'clock tomorrow morn
ing. The Senate passed the bill yester
day by the scant margin of one vote. bu
senatorial courtesy was responsible TO,
having 1t recalled this morning, wheI
Senator Kicker moved that this action b.
taken because two senators were absen
when the roll was called. 1t 10 clearl!
evident that the opponents Of the meas
ure hope to have it killed. when the vot'
is taken.
MORSE BILL ADVANCES.
The Morse bill providing for a yearl!
referendum on the question of whethe
or not liquor licenses shall be granted 1,
Vermont was ordered to a third reading
by vote of p to 6, and will undoubtedl!
be passed tomorrow morning. Senate
Morse advocated the passage Of his bill
as an economical measure. particular.
when this country is on the verge of ,
world war. He also argued that Their
was no such thing as local option. be
cause of the automobile and the rail
roads WI h in effect extend license town
into dry territory.
The Senate also ordered to a third read
ing the House measure extending the au
thorty of the public service commission
to the manufacture. distribution or sal
of gas or electricity distributed directl,
to the public or to be ultimately used b.
the public.
UNIVERSAL TRAINING FAVORED.
That the ever-threatening war cloud ha
not lightly been dispelled from the hori
ION of the representatives was shown Ii
the resolution adopted by the House ex
pressing the belief that universal mill
tary training is necessary to secure a.
adequate system Of military preparedness
IN this country. This resolution whicl
was introduced by Mr.. Austin Of Read
ing is to be forwarded to the Vernon
delegation in Congress. Representativ
Metzger of Randolph. who has offered hi
services to the Governor and will attemp
TO raise company If volunteers ar
called for. also referred to 1t in his speed
on the suffrage bill, when he pleade
with deep feeling for the enfranchisemen
or The poor little woman back home VIII
VIII have to bear the heaviest of the wa
burdens"
TO INCREASE LEGISLATORS PAY.
The war storm did not, however, brin
thoughts of economy into the minds O
all OF the representatives for Mr. Hal
or Isle La Motto introduced bill In
creasing the pay of senators and repre-
sentatiVes from 81 to s. n day, with
|
president of the Senate to $40 day. An
other increase of pay bill came from tn
committee on court and state expenses
increasing the fees of jurors in count
court 10 s. day. The bill giving the ad
Jutant-general authority to purchase sup
piies needed to equip the State troops an
the measure providing for a progressiv
ulrect Inheritance tax were also intro
duced this morning
PARTY DECLARATION BILL.
The House passed the bill making neces
sary declaration of party affiliations a
/ the primaries. It provides that when
man seeks to vote he shall call for tn
ballot Of the party to which he belong
an" II he is challenged as not being
,nemner or that party he must take oat
tna' ne Is affiliated with It and intend
10 stand behind its candidates.
HIGHWAY Bill. PASSES.
The measure appropriating $50 90
l annually from the maintenance roa
= fund.- for unsolicited highways, wa
n passed this afternoon by a decsiv
< vote. after 1t had been explained b
i Mr.. Puffer of Richford.
4 The bill relating to Investments O
D banks and extending their power Of In
Vestmeht of state institutions until
is practically equal to that of nationa
BANKS was made a special order 10
Wednesday afternoon.
q Inc measure introduced by Senate
Was relating to the sale of opium
morphine and other narcotic drugs wa
n Killed by an emphatic vote. The meas
= ure was sent to the House from tn
o pubic health committee without rec
concentration.
Governor Graham. who was contine