Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-02-06
Sheppard Amendment Out of
the Way, Legislators are
Rushing Business of the Ses.
sion to Catch up with Schedule
THURSDAY BUSY DAY
House GoeS On Record A. ravoring
League Of Nations-Repres
Hopkins Introduces Four Of Several
New Measures in Lower Branch

day, the General Assembly Is running at
full speed at last. It seems to be the
general feeling that now that the Shep-
pard amendment is out Of the way, busi-
ness will be rushed In order to catch up
with the schedule.
SO far as the House Of Representatives
Ia concerned, Vermont went on record this
In favor Of a league of nations.
The vote was conclusive, lis to co. and 1t
came after extended debate. in which the
question was discussed from almost every
angle.
The resolution was proposed early In the
session by Representative Belknap of
shortly after the Bond reso-
luton against a league Of nations APP
peared. II was opposed by Representa-
tives Williams Of Proctor, Dyer of Sails
bury. Tracy Of johnson, Cudworth Of
Londonderry. Alexander Of st. Adams
and Bond Of Searsburg, who urged the
House to walt until the plan for league
Of nations was at least formulated by the
peace conference.
The resolution was warmly supported
by its sponsor, Mr.. Belknap. who ex-
planned that II came originally from the
League to Enforce Peace, of which Ex-
President Taft is chairman. He thought
action would do some good. 1t also was
favored by Messrs Estee of Montpelier
and Mcfarland Of Hyde Park. and. on a
standing vote, was ordered to third read.
ing by a vote Of nearly two to one.
This stand was maintained when the
House this afternoon killed the Bond res
olution opposing the league.
There was also considerable opposi-
ton to 8. Q. the Steele bills. which kicked
around the Legislature two years ago,
and was finally killed. This bill was
amended. as Mr.. Austin of Highgate sug-
gested. SO as to remove the last barrier
which stands between a married woman
and her real property. Mr.. Buttles Of
Brandon defended the favorable report Of
the committee and the bill was ordered
to third reading.
HIGHWAY TAX BILL KILLED
The House was not so kind to Fl. 10,
which undertakes to raise the town levy
for keeping up highways from 20 to 30
cents on the dollar. 1t was vigorously
opposed by Mr.. Potter OF Pownal and
stock and White of Georgia. On a stand
ing vote. the bill was killed by the close
vote Of 10 to 100.
The House passed H. u. legalzlng
bonds OF federal farm loan banks, with
out debate. the vote being evidently more
one-sided than it was yesterday.
Some discussion arose over II. s.. pro-
viding that insurance companies shall be
responsible for the acts OF their agents.
Mr.. Hill OF Chittenden asked If this in
cluded life insurance companies and was
informed by Mr.. Mcfarland chairman
Of the committee on banking and insur-
ance. that 1t did not include them. Mr..
Taylor of Hardwlck asked that section
5SSS, which was repealed by the bill. he
read, and this was done. Mr.. Taylor then
asked why 1t should be repealed Mr..
Mcfarland explained that the new bill
covered the entire ground. After more
discussion the bill finally was recommitted
to the committee on banking and insur-
ance.
Two joint resolutions were adopted on
the part Of the House The frst. intro
duced by Mr.. Ayers Of Barre city, re-
lated to the death Of Alba J. Durkee of
Duxbury. elected representative from
that town, expressing sympathy and re-
greet The second resolution. introduced
by Mr.. Belknap. provides for a joint
session on Thursday. February 6, at
eight O'Clock In the evening to hear an
address by the Hon. John Barrett.
FOUR BILLS BY MR.. HOPKINS
Mr. Hopkins of Burlington brought
forth four bills for introduction this
morning in the House as follows:
H. IS provides that the attorney general
may authorize a States attorney when
away from home on official business &c
employ stenographer for such bust
/ ness at the expense Of the State. bu,
the total amount SO authorised for any
States attorney shall not exceed $20(
for any one year.
H. IS amends the General Laws, pro-
viding that a person armed with a dan.
gerous weapon. who attacks another with
intent to kill. shall be imprisoned In
the State prison for not more than 81
years, or fined not more than $4,000, OIL
both. The present law makes prison SEN
/ tence for this offense FOR life or for no,
less than Ave years"
II. 81 Ia a new law and provides tina,
| when a recognizance in a crimina
| prosecution is forfeited in a city or mu.
nicipal court, scire facias thereon may
be brought in the county court in the
! county in which such recognizance was
taken"
I II. So amends the law in regard tc
punishment of the crime OF arson, making
| the sentence mot more than 80 years
or fined not more than $4,000 or both u
! The law now reads for life or for a
shorter term. In the discretion Of the
court"
BILLS PASSED
II. II, an act lin addition to section
6S63 OF the General Laws. relating e
/ Investments Of banks. permitting banks
to invest In federal farm loan bonds.
H. Il. an act to amend section OF
! No. 81 OF the Acts OF 1855. Incorporating
| the village Of Wilmington.
| II. II, an act to amend section 7442 OF
the General Laws. increasing the fees
Of witnesses in county and municipal
courts.
H. s.. an act to amend sub division
II Of section Il Of No. 2z2 OF the Acts OF
1894. Incorporating the village Of Proc.
I tor.
Other bills introduced In the House
| to-day were II. 70. an act to change the
time Of holding the annual village meet
! ing In Manchester; II. 100. amending the
General Laws relating to Classics tior
Of forest lands for taxation purposes
H. l0l. providing for a bridge over the
Connecticut river at Guildhall.
| sENATE-MORNING
! One departure from routine work II
the Senate this morning brought abou
| rather an amusing situation. The sena
tors. in their eagernsss to back up tn.
House In its Joint resolution providins
that 800 shall be advanced to each mem
Der OF the General Assembly on Februar,
IL AaciAed IN suapend the ruia. .r,