Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-08-26

might ask for that knowing what the
court was going to do in the case Mr.,
Greene also entered Into the debate. Mr.
Gleason supported Mr.. Harvey The com
mission made many inquiries John
Avery called attention to the system of
Hing vacancies in the House by election.
On the subject of suffrage Mrs.
Wayne Reed executive chairman for the
State Association Opposed to Suffrage
for Women asked the commission IL they
did anything, to safeguard the action SO
that the residents OF the State should
have a chance to discuss the matter
which resolved itself into asking for an
amendment, for referendum on any
federal amendments to the Constitution.
She introduced Miss Mary Kilbreth,
president of the National association.
who spoke at some length. She claimed
Vermonts action effects all other States
and that If Vermont stayed clear of the
snags others would follow She stated
that lobby, well financed. Is putting
across the suffrage amendment that the
people do not care for 1t but that the
lobby in Washington wanted it. She
criticised President Wilson'S action in
the matter explaining that he has written
considerably on States rights and that
he wrote the plank that went into the
Democratic platform in 1916. She quoted
Governor Cox as stating to her that
Hughes owed his defeat to the stand he
took on the federal amendment She said
great pressure was brought to bear on
President Wilson, that at first he would
make no concession and later he was
induced to go before the Senate and ask
the three Democratic senators to vote
for the measure. She claimed that a
messenger from the President went to
Miss Paul when she was in prison. APP
pealing to her not to urge him to carry
the fight into the other House but that
she insisted. She claimed the press bu-
reaus did not release some of the actions
taken but that she had substantiated her
statements. Vermont she claims is one
of the four States UNFOLDING the rights
of her State and If any of these break
down the country will then be at the
mercy of little group of persons.
There was practically nothing said on
| the budget system in State finance, or
compulstory voting. A little was said on
the changing of the terms of justices and
superior judges and the appointment in
case of vacancy. Little was said about the
public service commissions powers and
the assistant judges, but when the Time
| Lock" was brought up. Messrs. Greene
! and Fenton offered more oratory and
brought up many problems for the con-
sideration of the commission. Mr.. Greene
! cited instances in which 10 years was too
| long period and inquired how many
| changes had occurred in the 40 years OF
the federal constitution. Mr. Fenton
| claimed the document was too sacred TO
! he tinkered with. II. S. Peck spoke rather
indefinitely, appearing in favor Of the
present 10 year period. John Gushing OF
the commission inquired if there was any
more danger of the people changing the
institution often, than there was OF
/ having II men in the Senate control the
whole situation.
The discussion of referendum and mia
tive seemed to have been covered before
so no argument took place nor on NUM-
| cipal courts railroad mortgages. the
latter to change them so they would be
recorded in county clerks offices instead
Of several towns.
Mr.. Fenton presented proposal provid
| ing that no proposed federal amendment
shall be acted upon untfl a Legislature
shall have been elected with that proposed
amendment before the members when
they are candidates, The session In the
afternoon was executive and the sub
iects upon which the different members
will write their conclusions were allotted