Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-12-31
HERAfoNrAND THE CENTENNIAL.
AN ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS OF our
STATE LEGISLATURE.

AN ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS OF oUn
STATE LEGISLATURE.
To the Members of the General assembly of
the State Of Vermont;
At a meeting called by DR.. NJ. Goldsmith,
the state commissioner, held at Rutland,
December %, 1875, of the intending exhb-
itors in the national centennial exposition
TO be held at Philadelphia, committee of
whom His Exccllency Asahel Peck, gov
ernor of tho stale, was chairman, was APP
pointed to select five persons to act as an
executive committee TO devise ways and
means for the proper representation of our
state in the great international exhibition.
At a meeting of the undersigned as this
executive committee, held at Rutland, on
Monday, Dec. 81, for consultation aud after
careful consideration OF the subject, they
concluded TO submit to members of the
general assembly the following suggestions:
Believing that the credit and fair fame Of
our state is in jeopardy, and not desiring to
take the responsibility of representing 1t in
so important matter without authority or
funds, they deem it proper that the legsla-
ture should act in the premises, and, there
fore, appeal to the members thereof for an
expression of opinion in reference to the
conveniug of the general assembly in spe-
cial session.
If it shall be the general wish of the
members of the legislature that the state
be creditably represented at the coming
centennial, this committee will at once wait
upon His Excelency Governor Peck and
request him 10 call the legislature together
for the purpose of taking such action and
making such appropriation as they shall
deem sufficient to enable Vermont to main
tain her true position among the other states
represented at this world renowned exhi-
bition.
The importance of such representation
of our Green Mountain State must impress
itself upon the minds of all her thoughtful
citizens. A failure to have our agriculture
al, mechanical, manufacturing and all 9TH
er industrial interests properly represent
cd, would be disgrace in the eyes of our
sister states and the civilized world.
Can Vermont at the end Of hundred
years of national existence, consent TO
stand before the world as unable, or unwi-
ling, TO represent herself at this great gath
ering of the nations? Our history, our
honor, our self-respect and our patriotism
should forbid it.
This committee, therefore, suggest the
following plan: That each officer and mem
Der of the senate and house should attend
the special session Without expense 10 the
state.
The committee take pleasure in saying
that they have had an interview with Gov
ernor Smith, the President of the Central
Vermont railroad company, who, with
characteristic liberality, has agreed, that in
the event of special session, called to con-
slider matters connected with the centenn-
al, to transport over the various lines of his
road, 10 and from Montpelier, any and all
members Of the legislature without charge,
provided said members shall attend such
session without charge TO the state, and we
also have assurances from the managers of
other roads within the state that the same
courtesy will be extended upon the same
terms. And as no other business will be
done, one days timO will he ali that is nee
essary to detain any member. They have
decided upon the plan suggested, TO ascer-
taiu Joui NieNSt as well az ~ pIdCe Tue re-
sponsibiity Of maintaining the reputation
of the state upon the representatives of the
people, who, by their position, are expect
ed 10 sustain it in an emergency like the
present.
They, therefore, respectfully request, tina:
each member on receiving this circular,
will signify assent or dissent, 10 the cond-
ton of serving the state at this important
juncture, without compensation, by return
ing his reply as soon as may be, and before
the 9Th day of January next, 10 John N.
Baxter, chairman Of this committee, at
Rutland.
Dated at Rutland, VT, this 2sth day of
December, 1876.
JOHN n. BAXTER,
JACOB EsTEY, Executive
WILLIAM r. SANFORD, 7 Committee.
DUDLEY p. HALL,
| LAWRENCE BRAINARD,