The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-10-27
From Montpelier.
Below we give what some of the letter.
writer's say about operations at the capi-
al:

Below we give what some of the letter.
writer's say about operations at the capi-
tai:
THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
The meeting of the historical society was
held in Representatives Hall Oct. H.
1t was complete success in all respects.
The attendance was large, the papers read
were worthy of the occasion, and the au-
dience was instructed and entertained. -
Hon. Hampden Cults of Brattleboro de-
livered the annual address on ''The True
Purposes Of the Vermont Historical Soci-
ETY." 1t was well written, well delivered
and of just the right length. He was fol-
lowed by Moses f. Cheney, Esq. of Bar
nard, with paper ON 'sThe Music and
Singing of Vermont" 1t was CheneyM
to the very last degree. His remarks
were very spicy and entertaining. He be-
gan by offering some general statements
and sentiments upon the subject Of music.
After a sublime and impressive passage
that reduced the audience to stiffness, he
remarked that about everything that had
ears loved music. The exceptions We're
swine, the stupid ass and the devil. OF
course this style of oratory was entertain
ing, mingled as it was with sensible re-
marks, and some dramatic recitations of
old time hymns and sacred songs. Mr..
Cheney did not confine himself entirely TO
oratory or conversation, but ndulged in
occasional musical interlude>. that helped
to illustrate his idea of what vocal music
was, in the Revolutionary day~. He told
the story of the deacon who rose to make
an apology, which apology the congrega-
ton regarded as the lining of the hymn
for them to sing, and accordingly com
menced singing, My eyes are dim, can
not see - OF the other deacon who Went
angrily out OF church. turning round as
he reached the door and informing the
congregation that he had danced a hun
dred times TO the tugue tune the choir
We're singing, &C., &c. He wound up hi>
remarks by singing The Old Arm Chair"
as usual
Among the contributions to the Society
the past year was one by the late David
Johnson Of Newbury, and consisting OF
eighty-tour perfect volumes OF newspapers
and several imperfect volumes Also files
of the WaShingtonian, published at Wind
>or more than half century ago, and
containing the political history of the state
during one of its most cxcitin. periods
files OF the Farmers Herald. the first pa
per published at st. .Iohnsbury Another
contribution was by \. +. Leavcnworih
of llineshurgh, recently a captain in one
OF the Vermont regiments 1t consists OF
files of papers published in Richmond dur
ING the war. statutes and other documents
OF the confederate congress
The officers OF the Society for the COM
ing yelr are as follows :-Rev PIiny II.
White, OF Coventry, President Rev. Will
liam II. Lord, of Montpelier, George W.
Benedict, of Burlington, and Gen. John
W. Phelps, of Braltleboro, Vice PrcSi-
dents George +. IIoughton, Esq, of ST.
AIbans, Recording Secretary A. ID. Ha-
ger, of Proctors,llIe. and Henry Clark. of
Poultney. Corresponding Secretaries II,
ID. Hopkins. of Montpelier, Treasurer;
Hon. liand Hall, Of Bennington, Henry
Hall Of Rutland, Rev John b. Perry, of
Swanton, Hon. John Widlcr. of Weston,
ID. Gilbert Dexter. of Wilmington, and
Rev. John A. Hicks, d. d., of Burlington,
Curators.
A RAILROAD FIGHT.
The railroad contest bids fair to be a
good thing this session. Mr.. Park. of
Bennington, comes here, it seems, with an
object in view, and has the ability 10 car
~ it ont. He does not intend to have the
Rutland Il burlington road 50 managed
;ls to give all, or nearly all the through
travel and freight to the Rensselaer, & Sa-
ratoga road, to the detriment of the West
ern Vermont road. IIcpurposc<, it would
seem, to follow up the managers of the
Rutland Il Burlington road, SO far as it
can be done, by public meetings and legis-
lative agitation, and, if possible, compel
them to mend their ways. Mr. Park is
reckoned strong man and likely to sue
ceed. Mr.. Miner, of Manchester, brought
in memorial yesterday, setting forth, in
glowing terms, the inSutferable and arro-
CANT conduct of the said managers, and
detailing the hostile measures " adopted
by them. The drawing up of the memorial
was the result of a public meeting, held in
Manchester, on the 9th of the present
month. The proceedings of this meeting
are circulated here pamphlet form, and,
as they are accompanied with wcll-cxe-
cuted map OF the two roads contcsting for
the through travel, the pamphlet is quite
an attractive document. This railroad
matter bids fair to give us some entertain
ment before the close of the session.
I STATE OFFICERS ELECTED.
On Wednesday, the Legislature elected
the following State officers DR. Geo.
Nichols, of Northtield, Secretary of State ;
H. {. Camp, OF Montpelier, Sergeant at
Arms; Dugald Stewart, of Middlebury
Auditor Of Accounts; James A. Pollard.
OF Windsor, Superintendent of State Pris-
on; Erastus d. Warner, of New Haven.
Commissioner of Insane Asa II. Camp.
of Stowe, Bank Commissioner: David f.
Nicholson, of Wallingtord, Railroad Com.
missioner 7. I. Washburn, of Wood
stock, Adjutant and Inspector General
z. L. Pitkin, of Montpelier, Quartermas.
4 = Il.