Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-12-11

A A. Sweet took prominent part. The
project in view seemed to be to secure a
supply of water from Berlin pond, and the
Investigations and report Of previously
appointed committee was the basis of the
debate. Mr. Taplin was the main advocate
of the enterprise. Mr.. Chase and Mr.. At
kins believed ia it, some time, while Mr..
Wells as member of the committee gave
such information as he possessed relative to
expense, etc, and Mr. Sweet 4" threw cold
water There was great disagreement both
as to the quantity and quality of the water
that Berlin pond could supply, and abun-
dance of testimony was offered on both sides
to prove that it was as pure and limpid as a
mountain spring, and also that 1t was the
vilest specimen OF that fluid part of the
globe which the poet Willis made one of his
characters describe as having " tasted strong
of sinners ever since the flood" 1t was
evident from the limited number of the
prominent men and capitalists of Mont
pelier who took a part in the discussion,
that sufficient interest had not yet been
aroused, or sufficient information obtained
on the subject to secure any decisive action,
and the result was a recommitting of the
whole matter to the committee, to ascertain
more definitely how it, che water, would
wash, how it would drink, tits fire quench-
ing quality was ADMITTEDLY, aud more par
ticularly as to the expense. The committee
was reconstructed somew hat, Mahlon Taplin
being placed upon it as chairman in place of
J ohm A Page, and A. a. Sweet added as an
anti-water element, who promised, however,
to discharge his duty faithfully and without
prejudice, which he Will do.
Twenty cents on the dollar Of the grand
list was voted to defray the current ex-
penses of the village for the year ensuing, to
be collected and!plid.into the treasury on or
before the first day of June next, and the
treasurer was authorized TO borrow money
to pay outstanding claims and expenses pre-
vious to that time
Mr.. A. c. Brown then attempted to make
a motion, but call to adjourn was inter
posed and strongly pressed This call was
finally decided in the negative. Mr.. Brown
then renewed his effort, and moved that the
use of Village Hail. lighted and warmed, be
granted to the Ladies' Association who have
inaugurated. and are carrying en- series If
Sunday evening temperance meetings, free
of charge. Inc proposition was advocated
| by MIR A. c. Brown, who stated that he
had made it without the knowledge or con-
sent of the~laiies engaged in this work. by
Joel Foster, Jr., Rev j. Edward Wright
aud Mahlon Taplln, and strongly opposed / y
Hiram Atkins and Gen. p. 2. Pitkin and a.
A. Sweet MIR Brown explained that it
was matter Of only an hour to an hour
and half each Sunday evening the
lascertained expense Of warming and lighting
would not exceed three dollars night, and
claimed that the object was one Of general
public interest and benefit to the entire
community
Mr. Atkins claimed to be a temperance
man theoretically and practically, but was
entirely opposed to this proposition, as it
was imposing additional burdens. in the way
of taxes, upon a class who might he unable
and unwilling 70 bear them. lie doubted
the legality Of tax raised for such pur-
pose, and thought that It might vitiate the
entire village tax if such an item was added
to the expenditures.
Mr.. Joel Foster, Jr., followed, strongly
advocating the proposition, urging the good
work which the ladies were engaged in,
and the good which they had already accom-
plished. with the prospect of more good
ahead His reasons were good and well
put, but he inadvertently, as We thought.
or perhaps injudiciously would be the better
word, made personal allusion for the pur-
pose Of making point as TO the increase OF
taxation which ilty-two of these warnings
and lightinss would create, and for an illus
tration cited the case of MIR. Atkins, who
woull be additionally taxed to the amount
OF eighteen or nineteen cents for the year.
This OF course JroTmed the debate aud
brought the argument down on TO the
p millions for defence but not cent for
tribute . basis, Is it was claimed. Mr..
Atkins displayed great earnestues- f5r his
side Of the question.
Rev Mr.. Wright, On general princiI les
believed that majoritIes had the right TO rule
in this as ia other matters that the ques
ticn took a broader scope than mere person
al consideration, and that no one should feel
pers onally a5grieved in making this appro-
priation any more than in assuming resPon-
sibilities and expenses 10 do and perform
other works benz fetal to the public. His
remarks were candid and somewhat impress
sive, and were well received.
Gen. Pitkin, in reply to Mr.. Wright. re-
minded him that for certain purposes which
he had named, as similar cases for which
money had been appropriated by vote of a
public meeting, it had first been necessary
t. procure an authorization from the legisia-
turc in order to make it legal. and he be-
lieyed that il this proposition was adopted,
it would result in division and village quar-
rel. He was in favor of all legitimate
movements to promote the cause OF temper
ance, al would willingly contribute a much
larger sum than his tax would be, under the
proposed remittance oil expense 10 the ladies
to encourage and help on this one. But he
deemed the precedent dangerous one, and
one that must extend to other TetOrmatOry,
benevolent and social objects and associa-
tions if adopted. lie hoped the motion
would not prevail. Mr.. Taplin took diff
ferent view as to precedent, and claimed
that similar privileges had already been ex-
tended in other instances; which, on the
other hand, it was claimed by Gen. Pitkin.
were dissimilar in some respects. The de-
o'clock. The vote was first taken in the