St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-03-05

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bury as that of Tuesday. 1t is unnec-
essary at this time to repeat what led
to this state of affairs. On the call of
the meeting to order, Col. Franklin
Fairbanks was elected moderator by
acclamation. Immediately thereafter,
Judge Poland stepped upon the plat
form and asked the indulgence of the
meeting while he read the following
resolutions of appreciation and respect
upon the
DEATH OF L. C. MATTHEW'S.
"Intelligence of the death of Mr..
Luther c. Matthews in Boston having
just been received, the citizens of St.
Johnsbury in town meeting assembled,
do
ResOlre, That in the death of Mr..
Matthews, this town sustains the loss
of one of her most worthy and valuable
citizens; one who has served the town
in many public offices, and especially
as chairman of the board of Listers for
many years, with great fidelity and
care who in his character of private
citizen, and in all his dealing and asso-
Citations with his fellow men, has ever
exemplified the highest type of the true
and upright man, and sincere Christian.
RESOLVED, That the Town Clerk be
directed to enter this vote in the rec
ords of this meeting, and to furnish a
copy thereof to the family of Mr.. Mat
thews."
These resolutions were unanimously
adopted.
THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
The regular business OF the meeting
was then taken up. Capt. P. D. Blod-
gett was reelected clerk, viva voce.
There was an attempt at little strife
over selectmen, and a ballot was called
for, when VIM. Higgins was reelected
first selectman by l64 majority. Dan
iel Carpenter was then chosen second
selectman viva voce, Mr.. Abel Wiley
declining longer to serve on the board
on account of old age and long service
For third selectman there were two
ballots, the first standing 2l6 for Chas.
Cobb and 227 for Abial R. Hovey. Mr..
Hovey was chosen the second ballot.
The next strife was over the collector
ship. 1t was decided to put the matter
up at auction, and elect the lowest bid
der constable. VIM. H. Preston said
he would collect the taxes on the same
basis as last year, for 5000. III. S.
Wright bid $I95. Bidding went on be-
tween these two men until Mr.. Wright
offered to do it for $95, when N. M.
johnson, the present collector, stepped
upon the platform and said he believed
from his experience that it was well
worth $500 to collect the taxes, but he
would do it for $50. Mr.. Wright then
withdrew, but bidding was continued
amid much merriment between Mr..
Johnson and Mr.. Preston, until Mr..
johnson said he would give one dollar
for the privilege of collecting the taxes,
when Mr.. Preston withdrew, remarking
that he did not want the office bad
enough to pay anything for it.
There were no more ballots for town
officers except for second lister. We
consider that the town is fortunate in
securing good officers throughout.
Two of the old board of selectmen
were reelected. Both Mr.. Ranney and
Mr.. Hovey have had experience us list
ers, and will make good the place of
the late Mr.. Matthews perhaps as well
as it can be done. On motion of Elisha
May, Esq, Rev. E. II. Sanford was
voied 800 for services us superinten-
dent of schools, in addition to pay al
lowed him by the state.
THE STRIFE OVER THE LIQUOR AGENCY.
When the article in the warning was
reached, ''tO see if the town would
abolish the agency" there was motion
to dismiss it. This was not carried.
Then the moderator attempted to di-
vide the house, but the meeting appar-
emily being nearly evenly divided, and
there being so many nOn-vOters pres
ent, this was given up as impractical,
aud IA ballot was taken. This vote
stood 2s4 for the agency, and 23s
against it. After this was declared the
following votes were passed
Voted, That the selectmen require
the Town Liquor Agent not to sell any
liquor to any person living out of this
town.
Voted, That the selectmen publish
weekly in some newspaper a sworn
statement of the Town Liquor Agent,
giving the name of each person to
whom any liquor is sold, and the
price, and if on order, whose order.
Voted, That the Liquor Agency shall
be on the ground floor of building,
and not kept in connection with any
other business.
On presentation of this last motion,
Mr.. Emerson Hall came forward and
said he approved of 1t and would sec
Ond it. He said further that some
months ago he declared his intention to
resign his agency at the close of the
present year, (May,) but there was SO
much talk about it and so many un-
truthful stories told, that he had decid-
ed not to keep the agency another day,
and had rendered his resignation to
the selectmen on March LIST. He fur
Their said that he had conducted the
business according to his best iudg-
ment, but presumed he had made mis-
takes, aud stood ready to make all