Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-10-24
The Governors of vermont-s
CORNELIUS P. VAN NESS.

Cornelius Peter Van Ness, the eighth
Governor Of Vermont, was a native OF
! the State Of New York. He was born on
the farm, now widely known as 'Linaen-
W0Id," (the late residence of Martin Van
Buren,, the eighth President of the United
States) in Undertook, in the County OF
Columbia, on the Oath day Of January,
1882.
He was one of three brothers, all OF
whom subsequently became distinguish
ed as lawyers and politicians. One of
whom, Gen. John P. Van Ness, was 8
member Of Congress from New York
during the administration of Jefferson,
and being by him appointed Major of
the Militia of the District of Columbia,
ne resigned his seat in Congress, and was
afterwards promoted to Brigadier and
Major General, and was subsequently
Mayor of the City of Washington.
Cornelius P. Van Ness studied law with
his brother, William P. Van Ness, in the
city of New York, and was admitted to
practice in 1904. In 1906 he removed to
Vermont and settled in St. Albans, and
commenced the practice Of his profess
sion. He remained In St. Adams till
1909, when he removed to Burlington,
where he continued to reside during the
residue OF his stay in Vermont. During
this year he was appointed Post Master
at Burlington, which office he held about
one year, and was in 1910 appointed
United States Attorney for the District
OF Vermont, and in 1918 he resigned
that office. He was appointed Collector
OF the United States Revenue for the
District Of Vermont, the same year, and
was continued In this office four years.
He discharged the duties thereof with
honor to himself and satisfaction, both
to the United States Government and
people doing business at the Office, during
the delicate and trying times Of the en-
bargo-and Of the war then existing be.
tween the United States and Great
Britain.
The Treaty of Client, provided for the
settlement OF the Northern Boundary, by
commissioners to be appointed by the
respective countries, and in 1915 he was
one OF the commissioners on
the part OF the United States, for which
he received salary Of one thousand pounds
sterling, all OF the commissioners, both
American and British receiving the same
compensation.
In 1918, he was elected to represent
the town Of Burlington in the Legisla-
ture Of Vermont and was reelected in
1919, 90 and 81.
He was elected Chief Justice OF the |
Supreme Court in 1921. This was a
more noticeable compliment from the |
fact that this was his first election to
the Supreme Court and that mis- two as
'ociates had been four years on the bench. |
He was reelected Chief Justice in 1922.
Before the expiration of his term OF office
n 1928, he was elected, with almost un-
oaralleled unanimity, Governor Of the
State and was reelected in 1924 aud
1926 without any organized opposition.
In his annual message to the Legis-
ature in 1925, Governor Van Ness intro
Iuced the subject OF internal improve.
nents, and recommended that measures
'e taken 10 improve the navigation OF
he Connecticut River, and that canals be
INSTRUCTED for the purpose of uniting
ne waters ~ that river with Lakes Cham
,'.n aut dem ghyrmagng. In accord
net Win 4is recommendation 3oard OF
anal commissioners wss appointsr' an'
n APPROPRIATION lnaue ~ ,e..4J LICK
expenses the project, however, was never
The administration OF Governor Van
ess was marked by the visit of General
lafayette to this State. In compliance
nth the Invitation OF the Legislature,
by the Governor, "On the
9Th of June 1925, Lafayette entered
ermont for the first time st Windsor, 2
here he was ioyfully received by the D