Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-10-17
The Governsrs Of yerm omit.
ISRAEL SMITH,


Vermont, was born in suflleld, Connect
tlcut, the 4th day OF April, 1859, and
graduated at Yale College In 1881,
He first came TO Vermont In I7sS. and
Immediately commenced the practice of
law at Rupert in the county OF Benning-
ton. He was the Representative from
that town 10 the Legislature OF Vermont
during the years 1885, Ss, 's9 and go, and
was in 1856 elected one OF the Justices
of the Peace for that county, this being
the first election Of that officer under the
State government, In 1889, he, together
with Isaac Tichenor, Stephen r. Brad.
ley, Nathaniel Chapman, Elijah Paine,
Ira Allen and Stephen jacob, were ap-
| pointed commissioners "to ascertain
agree to, ratily and confirm, jurisdic.
tional or boundary line between the
State Of New York and the State
OF Vermont; and to adjust and
finally determine, all and every nat.
ter or thing which, 10 any wise
obstructs Union OF this State with the
United States" Having accomplished
the object OF their appointment, he was
chosen delegate to the Convention,
which assembled at Bennington, J.nu.
airy, 1871, to consumate the measure. by
ratifying the Constitution Of the United
States.
Soon after the close OF the Convention,
and during the same year, he removed
to Rutland, deeming it better field for
the practice of his profession; but in
the Fall OF 81, Vermont being now one
OF the Omitted States and entitled to t,co
Representatives in Congress, he was
elected with great unanimlty to repre-.
sent the District, composed OF thetowns |
West OF the Mountains, and was re-
elected in 1898 and again in 1896. In
the Spring OF 1897 he was again can.
dldate for reelection but having iden-
titled himself with the ant. FEDERAL
party, then beginning to be known IS
Republicans, he was defeated. II the
Fall OF the same year, however, he was
elected to represent the town of Rutland
in the State Legislature and on the
assembling of that body it was bund
that there had been change in the DO
litical atmosphere of the State. and that
the Republicans were in the majority.
and he was elected Chief Justice Ct the
Supreme Court.
1t was, says one Of the historians of
Vermont, during the session o. the
Legislature OF 1898 "that prescription
IN account Of political opinion was first
practiced in the distribution OF civil
offices in Vermont. Israel Smith, who
leld the Office Of Chief Justice of the
state, and who was man of uncor-
upted Integrity and virtue, was dropped
N account Of his attachment to the !
Republican party and another person
hosen in his stead"
In 1901, Judge Smith was the csndi.
ate Of the Republican party for Gov 7
rnor, and was defeated for that office
ut during the same year was again /
lected to represent the Western District
Vermont in Congress; at the close of
nat term, March 4th, 1903, be took mis-
eat in the Senate OF the United States
aVing been elected to that position the B
ctober previous.
In October, 1907, having been by the u
eople, elected Governor Of the State fl
resigned his seat in the United States "
enate. In his message, he called the "
;tention OF the Legislature to the penal es
zoe OF the State, and recommended the "
'olition of corporal punishment for -
lnor offences, and the substitution of til
1prisonment in lieu Thereof. The ia
legislature acted upon his recommend.
Ion and passed the laws necessary to
at end He held the Office Ct Governor IN III
1t single year. fly
In the act passed November 1st, 1900, tn
cooperating Middlebury College he e.
as named one of the FsHoVs or Trustees, re,
ID continued as such till nis death. ca
Inch occurred at his residence IN Rut- e oo
no, the I'd Of December 1870, at the re!
e Of 81. in!
His son, William Douglas Smith, an '''
'torney OF Rutland, graduated at Mid.
eoury College in 1904, and vas Clerk sat
the House of Representatives Of YER cal
'nt from 1909 till his death, February rec rec
d. 1872, in the 9th year OF his age. lee
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HE BENCH ExHIBlTIoN.-It is stated all
La Presse that the total expenses of 9th
commissioners will amnnnt 70 ri,.o an an