Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-02-28
. lLA !. HER I'D.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1867.
The Annual Town Meetings.

town affairs are to be elected, Too lit
tie importance is attached in most OF the
towns in Vermont TO this election and
incompetent men are placed in positions
which they are wholly untitled to occu-
nv, either from their experience or edu-
cation, consequently those whom they,
Tor the time, represent, are in their pow
er. and ofLentimes they are made to sut-
fer by the mismSnagement and reckless
ness Of town officers. Evidence Of this
was apparent during the war. There
lore every town should see to it that the
services of the best business men be Sc
cured. We know that it is difficult to get
those who are cugrOssed in their own al
isirS to accept town offices and yet they
should accept for it is their duty to Dear
together with their fellow citizens their
proportion OF the burdens imposed. The
offices OF seleCtmen and listers are es-
pecially important energetic and careful
men should be called to these positions,
for on them depends much whether tx
trayagencc or prudence shall prevail in
the transaction Of business. This class
OF men will take heed whether they
burden their constituents with greater
expenses, or endeavor to curtajl them
and assist in relieving from the indebt
cdness which the war has brought
upon us. The people should reflect if
they desire the prosperity o: the.r town
an.. 10 .noltase in business and popula-
ton. that they cannot expect men to
settle in their community and help build
1t up unless they wipe out their indebt-
edness, and prudently care for the
future interests Of their locality. Men
will seek those places where energy and
thrift have impelled them to meet their
current expenses and do not call on
them to pay Indebtedness from the want
Of prudent business management. Some
towns like Rutland, had liabilities
which were so large they could not pay
them at the time without distressing the
husi ness men. In such cases a postpone
meut OF public debt is wise, but there
are towns that could pay without
material hnderauCe, hut for the con-
tjnued mismanagement of officers who
yearly decrease rather than diminish the
public burdens, therefore see to it that
this state of affairs be no longer suffered
by putting practical, energetic business
men into the management Of your af-
fairs and be relieved from the taxes now
almost unnecessarily imposed
The office Of Overseer of the Poor, is
one which is sadly mismaraged in some
OF our towns. While we would not ad-
voCate eX'rayagence or the furnishing
OF .uXuries to those who are placed un-
der their care yet cruelty is the char
acteriztiC of some who have charge Of
those who have been unfortunate, and
conduct which is disgraCeful to humani-
y could be cited on the part Of some Of
these officers which, if made public,
would bring the blush OF shame to the
cheeks of those whom they represent.
This should not longer be suffered in our
poor houses. Because an individual
has been unfortunate in life-or enfeebled
by disease becomes dependent on public
charity, he should not be treated as If ne
was demon in human shape,-and fed
on husks and denied that medical treat
ment which is needed to allay the agony
OF pain or make comfortable his last
hours. Charity and Mercy should not
be driven from any mans heart because
clothed with little brief authority
and become the tyrant. Put men in that
position who have the heart to feel that
they once had -mother-brother
or sister, who, by misfortune might
have become the inmate of a paupers
home, and think whether they would
wish to have them receive the treatment
they nOw tender TO others.
The office of Town Grand Juror is
often made burlesque, and men elected
whom it is known will not administer
the laws. We have known men elected
DO these positions to protect themselves
in an open violation Of the laws. This
farce should DO longer De enacted.
We have made these general observa-
tions, that the electors OF this State may
enF"r upon the discharge of the impor.
Z privi'",es of freeman, with due
consideration and purpose to make
radical changes in fhe affairs of Our
several towns.
At this election but enc county Officer
IS to be chosen, that of Commissioner fol
the appointment Of agents foI the sale
o. liquor, and it is to be hoped that q
full vote will be given in every town
out It is frequently the case that only {
.ew are cast for this officer and fn som,
towns, none. This is an important vffict
sud every friend Of temperance and goot
srder should see to it that a large vote i
given. S. D. Winslow, ESQ Of Pitts