Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-01-07

The Vermont paper, so far as heard from
generally approve the proposition OF the Zen
tennial committee, in reference to an extra
session. The St. Adams Messenger, how
ever. whose editor is q member Of the Legs- |
lature, objects. The Messenger thinks that
an e1travagant appropriation will be made
If the Legislature meets, for the following
purposes:
lst To proyide suitable building on the
exhibition grounds for the headquarters oil
the officials and exhibitors from Vermont.
"a To take an amount Of stock in the Cen
tennial corporation.
3d To transport to and from PhDadel-
nbis and sustain them while there, bat
TALON of Vermont militia, with two or three
of the best bands we have.
4th. To defray portion or the whole OF
the expense Of transporting the goods and
products to be exhibited.
The Messenger further considers these to
be unnecessary objects. 1t thinks that
an appropriation for Vermont headquaF-
tiers. would be measure "of most doubtful
constitutionality -! Of course that oblec-
ton Is a settler Let us have no strainng
of the Constitution, this Centennial year,
even 10 the extent Of hiring room IN Phil
sdelpbia for few months, for rendezvous
for Vermont exhibitors and visitors.
To take Centennial stock it thinks would
be bad fnanciering. But there is no need
that the State should take any Centennial
stock. Congress is evidently going to see
the Exposition through, and We venture to
believe that the Legislature will not, IN any
event. invest in the stock of the Centennial
corporation.
As to the militia. it strikes Us that the
assurance that the State will send battal-
ion to Philadelphi would do more to in
spirit the militia and to improve their drill
and increase their efficiency, than dozen
of the regular encampments. We 90 not
see why, under the circumstances, 1t would
not be well for the State to spend the money
it would spend on the annual muster, IN
sending a few companies to Philadelphia
and if q thousand or two dollars should be
| added. in order that they make good ap-
: pearance by the side of the citizen soldiers
/ of other States we DO not believe the tax
payers will begrudge it
2 II the State can largely increase the dis
! play Of Vermont manufactures and products
! by defraying portion of the expense O.
D transportation. it seems to Us desirable tina
e it should do it, No fifty thousand dol
! lars will be needed however, for any or al
/ these objects. \ fifth of that sum, if the
e Legislature would give no more, woulC
b accomplish good deal, if judiciously ex
e pended, and might save the State much
c future modification.
j The Messenger thinks - the State Is no
1 in u condition to be- Of any class of It's cit
n liens Perhaps not. But the STATE Is no
2 begging. The Centennial committee, VIII
; are giving their own time free to TIN
matter which they think concerns the credl
=. Of the State, venture to suggest that tn
= editor Of the Messenger and his associate
It 10 the Senate and House give each ds
e apiece, for the object. We see nothin
e - di-grAceful " or derogstory in the pre-
It position so made. 1t would probably ne
It have been made, if the committee had nc
=, satisfied themselves that no speei-l sessio
a would be called, On any different footing
e But it j. hardly necessary TO consider furthe
t, the MesSaqg.r's objections for the elosin
J. paragraphs Of it, article show that its OF
:, position to the proposition is part of ii
" chronic mith-phobia. Gov Smith is ikel
to get some credit for liberality from hi
offer II carry the members free. That
n evidently what troubles the Messengs'
p. The feeling Is perhaps natural and unavOid
T. able On it, part. But a., taking the Stat
8, at large, not many people are afflicted wit
t it. craze. we doubt if the proposition OF tt
t Centennial committee will fail, solely 0
that account.