The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-01-21
TIME-L0CK MAY
BE CONTINUED
Much Opposition to It's Re-
moval Developed at
Hearing
TOO MUCH TAMPERING
WITH CONSTITUTION
Senate Hear Arguments
Again on Amendments
to That Instrument

In committee of the whole, the
Vermont Senate again wrestled with
the proposed constitutional amendment
for two hours last evening at Mont
pelier, listening to many people who
had ideas to express on the various
den county was in the chair. At the
close of the session, the proposed
amendments were referred to the Sen
ate committee on judiciary.
Mrs. w NJ. Reed of Montpelier, ex
ecutive chairman of the anti-suffrage
associations, was the first speaker to
appear before the committee. She
gave figures to show that Vermont
women do not want to vote and asked
the senators to wait until the courts
had decided whether or not the 10th
amendment is legal before action is
taken in Vermont on the proposal to
amend the constitution to conform
with that federal amendment.
John T. Gushing of St. Adams, a
member OF the commission which re-
ported on the proposals of amendment,
remarked that if the state of Vermont
wants to put its constitution in har
mony with the federal constitution in
regard to suffrage, it will have TO start
now or wait for 10 years And as to
the women wanting to vote, they will
have to take it whether they want it
or not if the 10th amendment is found
to be legal
Mr.. Gushing took up each one Of the
proposed amendments briefly and eX
planned its purpose and his views in
regard to it. lie said that the item !
Veto would prevent attaching riders
to the appropriation bills. He did not |
favor giving the governor power to fill |
in the House or Senate, but |
thought it should rest with the legis
lature lie opposed the proposal TO
return to the September elections, say
ing that it would be a useless expense
for a little extra publicity. He OPP /
posed, also, giving the public service
the powers of court, say
ing that he thought the system of ac
rruing penalties would bring offending
to terms.
Defending minority proposal one TO
take the time. lock off the constitu-
ton, Mr. Gushing said that if the peo
pie can be trusted to amend the con-
'titution once in ten years, they can
)e trusted every two years. He also
defended minority proposal two, abol
shing the assistant Judges as consti-
utional officers, but pointed out that
his would not prevent the continuance
Il the assistant judges, if it was
hought best to continue them outside
he constitution II would simply fix
{ so that they are not required by
he constitution. Mr. Gushing answered
/ number of Questions regarding the
proposals put to him by members Of
he Senate.
+. II. Deavitt of Montpelier, former
tate treasurer, spoke in favor of the
item" Veto opposed the removal Of
he time lock, favored the continuance
i the assistant judges and had an ar
ument with Mr.. Cushing on the time
ock proposition Mr. Deayitt thought {
hat the people would be wanting to '
amper with the constitution all the ,
ime if the time lock was removed. and I
hat this would mean the election of ,
representatives. on the basis of consti
utional amendments every two years [
5 well as on the basis of legislation !
Il was not in favor of senatorial dis I
riots, but favored the present form s
representation, both in the Sen ]
te and House :
ExIieutenant Governor Mason S.
tone spoke briefly in opposition to
he removal OF the time lock. Tie
bought that the people were not vet
lady to have the constitution where
could be gotten at for amendment
very two years. He also suggested
mother amendment dealing with
lange in the freeman's oath. the last
ord of which is IMAM" Tie thought II
light be well to change it to person"
the light of the 10th amendment Mr..
ushing replied to this: "There is no
Ich thing as sex distinction in gov
-nment now; you might Just as well
Ill them men as women"
Remarks were made, also. by Rep.
sentative Cushing Of Rochester.
arning against changing The consti-
Ition in any manner without deep re- Y
'ction, and especially warning against fl
IL -Temoval Of the time lock. He iii
ought il unAse to attempt to amend G.
e constitution except in a crisis. He b,
50 opposed the amendment which cl
Duld lengthen the time Of service Of CT
member Of the House TO six years &c
lille ". J Bigelow spoke in favor Of :
is proposal which originated with
m. r G. Cheney Of Morrisville, \
rmer speaker 81 the house. also IA 4
red the six-year proposal 4