The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-03-20
WHITE OF WOODSTOCK
PLEADED FOR DELAY
Several Members Who Voted
in Favor of the Original
Bill Asserted in Debate
That They Should Vote to
Sustain the VetO-Fear of
Lost Electoral Vote W0r-
ried Some.


House of Representatives this morning
sustained the veto of Governor Clement
on >. s, giving women the right to vote
for presidential electors, thus disposing
Of the measure, which was passed over
the veto by the Senate Tuesday, in
most unmistakable manner The debate
on the measure, which cam a as a spe-
cial order at 1890 o'clock brief and
telling.
At the opening of debate, Mr. White
of Woodstock tried to get the measure
put over as a special order for next
Wednesday, in order that more time
might be given for study of the matter
His efforts were fruitless. He then
opened the debate for the passage Of the
bill. He spoke of certain mysterious
things which had happened with refer
ence to the holding up of the ratification
measure in the executive chamber and
said that he thought that measure and
this one had been handled rather my.
teriously by the governor, He stated
that the best legal opinion failed to find
anything unconstitutional in the meas
ure, and he urged the House not to be
deceived by this air of mystery which
surrounded it.
The passage of the bill was also IA
vored by Mr.. Bond Of Searsburg and Mr.
Austin of Highgate, the former quoting
literally from the constitution of the
United States and from the constitution
of Vermont to show that women should
have the same rights of suffrage as men
Mr.. Austin said that, while he voted
against the suffrage measure originally,
he would vote for its passage over the
governors veto because he believed that
the measure was constitutional and that
the governors veto would not affect it
one way or the other, because it was a
matter for the legislature to settle.
Mr.. Writers of st. Johnsbury, Mr..
Alexander of St Albans City, Mr., Car.
penter of Richford, Mr. Tracy of John
son. Mr. Slayton Of Morristown, NJ
Buttles of Brandon and Mr.. Childs ui
Weybridge, nearly all Of whom stated
that they voted for the original suffrage
measure, declared that they would vote
to sustain the governors veto, the gen
eral opinion being expressed that, since
the governor had raised a question in
regard TO the eeustitutionality Of the
measure, and because there might be a
danger of Vermont losing her electoral
votes at the next presidential election,
it would not be best TO take that sort Of
a chance, when the time for proposing
constitutional amendments is so near.
III the governor should be right. aud
some members of the House should be
wrong" said Mr.. Writers, Vermont
might lose her four electoral votes in
the next presidential election"
T. 10 f,o Fh3f Npbtln bf,
was a Democrat and from that point of
view might not be sorry to see those
votes lost, he was also Nermontcr and.
as SUCH he would be very sorry to see
Vermont's votes lost,
Mr. Alexander said: y do not believe
there is stronger believer in the SUI.
frage measure than ! am, but | shall
vote to-day to sustain the governor
veto"
He also stated that if this suffrage
matter was not one upon which the gor.
ernor had right to pass, it should not
have come in the form of a bill, and he
said that the governor had q perfect
right to pass upon any bill which had
passed the legislature.
Mr.. Tracy of Johnson further adj
vanced the idea that, ii the governor
approval were not necessary to make
this measure a law, if it could become Il
law, regardless of his action, it world
make no difference whether or not It
were passed over his veto and. therefore,
though firm supporter of suffrage, he
would vote to sustain the veto, lest there
be any chance OF Vermont losing her
electoral votes.
The House to-day passed the follow
ing measures S. S. relating to fees Of
constables and sherifs; S. 10, to stim.
ulate farming industry OF the state; S.
Sc, to amend charter of the city OF Rut-
land; S. 0S relating to height of rail
road bridges; II. "a, to appropriate sum
of money for permanent improvement OF
Sand Bar bridge; H. 200, to pay the
state board of dental examiners sum
therein named; II. 22O, authorizing the
assistant judges Of Washington county
to make alterations and repairs on coun
tv buildings; II. 2S4 relating to town ac-
counts and the duties of certain officers
H. 2SS, providing for the making Of ccr-
tain returns by auditor of accounts tu
town auditors,
The House to-day rejected several
town aid bills, as follows; HI, TO APP
propriate money to Waitsfold TO aid iu
iiauidating school debt; Fl. GS, to She
don to aid in liquidating school deb
H. l42, to assist CastIeton in improvu.
road along western shore Of Lake Bono
Continued on eighth page)