Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-02-04
Vermont at the Centennial.
LETTER FROM JOHN ". BAXTER, ESQ.,, CHAIR
MAN OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.


ors recently held at Rutland, as an e1ecu-
tive committee to take action in regard to
having the State of Vermont represented
at the approaching centennial exhibition to
be held in Philadelphia, should make pub
lie. In some way at least. what they have
attempted to do, even if unsuccessful in
their efforts, 50 that the people of the State,
if so inclined, may take such other and fur
ther action as thought advisable.
Whether or not Vermont desired to have
her resources represented at the centennial
exposition, in common with her sister
States, it was certainly desirable, as far as
possible, to ascertain the sentiment of the
people, and, if favorable, a matter OF the
first necessity that the necessary funds
should be provided, and TO that end an ap
preparation be MADE by the State. acting
through her legislature.
The objection urged against the extra ses-
sion'of the legislature, by many persons.
was the great expense attending the same,
to the State and to meet this objection
the committee were of the opinion that the
members of the legislature would, in a
matter which so appealed TO their patriot
ism and State pride. be willing TO contribute
their time and services, and in order to set
| tie all these preliminary matters the COM
| mlttee Immediately upon their appoint
ment caused to be printed and addressed to
every member of the general assembly, q
circular setting forth the object to be ac-
| complished, together with printed blank
and request to sign and return the same,
in which each member was to commit HIM
self for or against three distinct PROPOSE
tions, viz First, an approval of legisla-
tive action second. request TO Gov. Peck
to call an extra session. and third, pledge
to serve the State during such session, if
called, without compensation. The re-
sponse TO this circular letter was a. prompt
and as favorable as could be reasonably ex-
pected. Out of twenty replies received
from members of the Senate, not more than
one was in decided opposition to the entire
plan and out Of some 200 members OF the
House, not more than 2S could be counted
as wholly OF in part untavOrable, while
many especially commended and assented to
the entire programme, and not few took
occasion to remark that while not fully ap-
proving, IN obedience 70 what they found
TO be the wish OF their constituents, they
ielt compelled to give their assent. The
committee feeling that no time was to be
lost. within two weeks of their appoint
ment. had an interview with his Excellency
Governor Peck, and laid before him the re-
turns received from the various counties in
the State, and separated fully impressed
with the belief that the Governor conceded
with the committee as to the necessity for a
call OF an extra session, and had no doubt,
though there was 10 direct assurance to
that effect, that the general assembly would
be convened by his Excellency, with as lit
tie delay as possible.
To be prepared, in the event Of legisla-
tive action, to give needed information in
a f.1 Il
ly a. to what might be the duty OF for the
interests Of Vermont to 90 in the premises,
Lawrence BraIneri. Esq. and. myself, at
the instigation Of the board, and a. We
supposed, in conformity to the wishes of
Governor Peek, made the journey to Phila-
. delphia. and had Interviews with the gen
tlemen in charge Of the various depart
ments and bureaus. and would here state,
a concisely as possible, the Information
there obtained
The principal buildings Of the exposition,
VIZ main building, covering some 81 acres
I OF floor space machintry building, ii
acres art gallery Il acres horticultural
hall, over one acre and the agricultural
building. ten acres, were all more or less in
a state Of completion. or - Tar advanced
that they will be ready for occupancy with
in the time required, the contractors being
subject to a heavy penalty for every days
DELAY beyond the contract time. The head
| quarters for many Of the States. among
them, Pennsylvania. OhiO. Indiana. Mich
igan, Wisconsin, New Hampshire. Connec-
ticut. Massachusetts and West Virginia,
have been allotted and in mos: cases the
buildings are IN process of erection. Nota-
bic among these will be the Ohio building,
made Of some 2l different varieties of build
ing stone. indigenous TO the State. and that
OF West Virginia. 10 be built in cottage
form, with an annex S9x60). entirely Of
their native woods.
The great importance and convenience,
and we might add, necessity. Of State bead
quarters, has been fully set forth ard can
not be over stated nor gainsayed. In the
hope and expectation that Vermont would
consider such an institution an lndIspensa-
bic thing, We selected a most desirable l0ca
ton, near the agricultural building, OF
some 200 feet square. where there are shade
trees. and were assured by tie proper au-
thority, that this place would be reserved
Tor Vermont, in case -he should soon make
known her intention of occupying the
same. With a view. also, 70 provide space
for the exhibition of whatever Vermont had
to send. we made application for a. large
space in both the main and agricultural
buildings as could be spared, VIZ : lsx2i
IN each building. The time for receiving
applications had passed. bat We were told
by the secretary %. the commission, that
vacancies would doubtless occur by reason
OF some State dropping out. and such space
would be given u Vermont II she should
elect. in time, to take 1t, and the appliea
tions were placed on iiie with that under
standing. We would further state. what
perhaps J. well known. that the United
States government have erected beautiful
building which l. 70 he under the charge
of Prof. Wm 7. Blake, and in this build
ing it Is desired to bring together speci-
mems of the marble, slate. iron and other
ores from all the States of the Union. most
( of these specimens at the close OF the exhl-
/ bitten 20 be transferred 10 the Smithsonian
| inItitute. Is permanent contribution. We
were assured by Prof Blake that there
w0sld be ample room and opportunity for
/ Vermont here 10 display her mineral wealth,
/ and that circulars IN explanation of the
| plan. purposes and wants Of this depart
ment would he at once prepared and tor
warded To ali parties 10 Vermont who might
4 wish 10 avail themselves OF the advantages
| offered.
In addition to tie exhibition space thus
| far referred to, it is well, perhaps. 10 add,
| that in the construction OF heaGq aGrters a
cheap addition to the building can be easily
made 10 subserve the purposes or wants OF
a State in the display OF many of her pro-
| duets. West Virginia, for want OF sufficient
/ space allotted. will. in the annex of 30x60
ieet TO her headquarters building, exhibit
/ specimens OF her forest products, cereals,
minerals, sugars, syrups, dairy products,
and whatever else she may nave TO show.
In regard 20 the amount ot money neces-
sary to accomplish the object: This de-
pends upon the extent of the showing dc
| sired to be made Twenty Or twenty-five
thousand dollars would seem little enough,
but ten thousand dollars would erect u
building OF headquarters and pay the nee
essarY expenses OF running II.
Whateyer action was taken bv the com
mittee, Of course, has been ia the belief that
the State might be benefited thereby, they
confidently expecting favorable legislation ;
but on their ret0rn home they hnd that
Governor Peek dcclinss to convene the leg
islatu1e, and thus the only plan deemed
feasible by them being thwarted, they are
quite willing 10 surrender this business to
other hands.
To quote irou sensible article on this
subject in the Vermont Farmer
There Is no reason why the agricultural, min
! eral and manufacturing resources OF Vermont
should not have such a representation as will give
her industries high rank snonS the States OF the
Union and the nations Of the earth The people o!
the state should enjoy facilities for visiting and
taking part the exhibition equal TO those of any
people, Iis necessary To these ends that the State
take action. # sounds very plausible 10 hear
growlers say those VINO wish TO - can 20, to show
their wares and their stccs. or Tor their own in
struction and pleasure. But ii s true that Ii the
state IS not officially represented. Nsrmocters il
not stand a fair chance exhibitors or visitors,
and will feel as if they out oi place, and 8
century behind the age
In conclusion, speaking for myself, thor
oughly occupied In my OWE business, | re-
luctantly consented 10 serve upon this COM
mittee, sincerely hoping that our little
commonwealth. with patriotic pride IN
her past history, and due appreciation OF
her wealth and strength, would soon re-
lieve individual responsibility and take ac-
ton, through her legally constituted au-
tborities. IN q manner that would rebound
to her credit. now and hereafter. HaviDg
already spent some time and money (Which
is cheerlully dedicated to the public), and