Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-03-05

A QUARTER OF CENTURY AGO.-lt be-
comes interesting here 10 recall the first Re
publican Convention for the election of dele
gates to the National Convention, twenty
four years ago That convention, like the
present one, WAS hcld-ip Montpelier, on the
81 of June. Only forty -four delegates were
present Sturdy old Chester Spencer of
Castleton a member of the State Committee
called the assembly to order. and Levi In
derwood of Burlington, rising young law
yer and afterward Lieutenant Governor of
the State, was elected president, and Hon.
Frederick Holbrook of Brattleboro after
ward one Of Nermont's war Governors, and
Chester Spencer, were made cc-presldents
E. F. Walton of Montpelier and o. H. Plat
of Brattleboro were chosen secretaries. Mr..
Walton was also chairman of the committee
on resolutions The convention chose six
delegates at large, instead Of four. as now.
There names were AS follows: Inland Hall
Of Bennington. lIeman Carpenter Of North
field, Erastus Fairbanks of St Johnsbury,
William Skinner of Royaltnn, Lawrence
Brainerd of st. Adams and Levi Underwood
of Burlington. The convention was not II
large one certainly, but the delegates selected
were among the best and ablest men in the
State twenty-five years ago.
Hon. Ryand Fletcher was placed in nom
ination for Governor and was elected by up
ward of 20, 900 majority. and in November
the State went for Fremont and Dayton by
a majority Of nearly 10000. That majority
this plucky little State has maintained ever
SINCE and will prove loyal To her past history
next November, whether the Chicago Con
vention may nominate Grant, Blaine. Sher-
man, Edmunds. or some dark horse
Deming, IN Boston JOurndk
EssEX JUNCTION. donation visit AMI
oyster supper for the benefit of Rev. q. :.
Basford was largely attended, at the Town
Hall, last Tuesday evening, and n handsome
profit must have resulted
Thirteen joined the NJ L. Church ON pro
baton at the Center, last Sabbath, making
an aggregate Of over sixty which have joined
on probation at the Center and Junction as u
result Of Mrs lIammOnd's and Miss Knowles
| labors.
There is still large amount of sickness
| Two children of Walter BAhy were buried
in one coffin Thursday They died with lung
fever Diphthera is prevailing to some
extent, but thus far in mild form.
RICHMOND. The rendering of the opera OF
Queen Esther by the IIinesburgh GLORIOUS of
some scventy-five singers at Barnum's hall.
last Friday evening, was complete success,
some four hundred tickets being sold Had
there been good sleighing it is doubtful if
the hall would have held the audience.
The chorus is made up of fine singers,
especially the ladies. Probably no town in
the county can furnish so many good singers
as llinesburgh. All acted their parts well,
and but very few mistakes were made. Mr..
i. J. Murphy as king, Mr.. G. =. Boying-
ton as Haman, Mrs Perry Read as Ham
ans wife and Mrs. II. NJ. Page as Queen
Esther filled their parts admirably, and all
the other characters were well sustained.
The grand march OF twelve boys and
twelve girls dressed SO neatly must have re
quired much drill by the director MIR.
Maeomber is "A better director than we had
supposed The music was furnished 10y liry-
ants orchestra of six pieces. Mrs. Murphy
presided at the organ The audience were
well pleased with the entertainment, fire.
quently applauding.