The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-10-08


not been paid their wages, to the number of
three hundred or more, partially armed and
organized, held possession of the village
and the mining property at Vershire includ-
ing, large quantity of powder; that money
had been extorted by threats OF violence,
and private houses had been broken open
and searched that, fearing further out
breaks, families had packed their valuables
and were preparing to leave the vicinity,
and that notice had been given by delega-
ton from the rioters to the managers OF the
mine, that, unless the men were paid before
four O'Clock p. NJ. the next day, the whole
property OF the company would be de-
stroyed. 1t was also represented that these
threats would undoubtedly be carried out
unless the rioters were subdued by q force
greater than the local authorities could
command, and formal demand was made
upon me for assistance. 1t was stated that
the amount due the men was about twenty
two thousand dollars and that the mining
company could not possibly raise over four
thousand dollars. As Vershire was beyond
Geographic communication and / was
unable to obtain information from other
sources, informed the sheriff by messenger
that assistance would be rendered, but that
l should insist upon having the four thou
sand dollars in the hands OF the company
distributed among the workmen, in pro-
portion to what was due them. | directed
Acknowledgement Peck to order five COM
panies, under command of Colonel Green
leaf, to report to the sheriff of Orange county,
at Vershire, at daylight the next morning,
and gave Colonel Greenleaf written orders
to the end that the military force should be
held under strict subordination to the civil
power 1t was not supposed that over
twenty men from company could possibly
respond to a sudden call, but nearly double
this number were found in the ranks. Col
onel Greenleaf is a brave, cool and discreet
officer, and / was sure that no rash or i'm
prudent measures would be adopted, partic-
ularly after | learned that Adjutant-gen-
eral Peck had volunteered to join him l
accompanied the force solely in the interest
of the laborers, hoping, in case that resis-
lance was offered, to be able to influence
them to submit to the laws without con-
tiict. L exacted promise from the man
ayers of the mining company that the money
in their hands should be paid to the work
men that day, but as Colonel Greenleaf
succeeded in surprising the miners in their
beds, no resistance was offered, and the
payment was by mutual consent deferred a
few days. | visited the place again the next
week, and learned upon both occasions
from consultation with a number of the
most reliable citizens and town authorities,
that the representations made to me by the
sheriff and others were not exaggerated
except in some minor points. Differing
statements come from those who in the be-
ginning evinced the greatest alarm and
anxiety. The men were paid according to
over sixteen thousand dollars. The mining
company is in the hands of a receiver but
the unfortunate men have scattered away
without filing their claims. In view of these
facts, respectfully submit that legislation
should be enacted to give labor first lien
upon its products, and a speedy method of
enforcing its claims. The expense of the
expedition was much less than | expected,
as the bills of the Central Vermont and
Passumpsic railroad companies were at the
regular muster rates and they made no extra
charge for special trains. The state auditor
places the expense under the head of
militia" while it might with equal pro-
priety have been classed with court ex-
penses." Whatever may be said to the
propriety of my action, the expedition
demonstrated that the
NATIONAL GUARD OF VERMONT
are not merely ION paper" Ninety per
cent Of officers and men responded to call
for instant, actual service. The regiment
| and battery have reached point of pro-
ticiency that is indeed gratifying. They are,
with few exceptions, made up of the very
best young men in their respective localities.
| Adjutant-general Peck and Colonel Green.
| leaf have for years been assiduous in their
| efforts to promote that feeling Of pride and
| emulation so indispensable in an organiza-
| ton of this kind. / earnestly recommend
| that the governor be given the power to ap-
point the adjutant and inspector-general and
| the uuartermaster-generaf. In every state
| where the best methods of fostering the Ma
| tional Guard are adopted, the governor is
allowed to appoint his staff. The expenses
| OF the militia for two years past have been
increased by the legislation of 1882 which
requires an officers drill each year and au
| thoriZe the purchases OF new uniforms wher
found to be necessary by board of survey
| In considering the expenses of the militia
| it should be borne in mind that the state has
/ Il tb.av Of fxx-A nfxy No
| cording to statement furnished by Briga
| dier-general Kingsley, from sales and ex
| change of military property and from credits
| at the war department, the sum of one
| hundred ninety-seven thousand two hun
| dred ninety dollars. The interest of thi.
sum will nearly pay the expenses Of the
I, National Guard. AT the annual muster il
| St. Johnsbury in 1883, private in the bat
| terry lost his arm while in the discharge o
his duty. 1t will be in accordance will
i precedent and justice as well that suitable
| provision be made for him.
| THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE
is appointed biennially in Accordance will
the law of 1880, under which Governor Farm
| ham appointed the present members Of the
| board. | found their report for 1882 so ful
| and valuable and their work 80 satisfactory
| that l reappointed the entire board. Ii
| 1882 they printed an edition of over tw,
thousand copies Of their report and, during
| the biennial term ending that year, helt
| forty-four meetings, all at an expense within
the limited appropriation. During the las
| term, forty-seven meetings have been helt
and larger edition of their report will b.
printed. The services of DR.. Cutting, sec
rotary of the board, are of great value to thu
state in many directions.
| CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
The two articles OF amendment of the con
stitution which were concurred in by thu
last legislature were duly submitted to thu
| people at their town meetings in March
1888, and the same having been ratified ant
adopted by majority of the freemen votin,
thereon, proclamation thereof was dull,
made, as required by an act passed in 1882
trust that the legislature will properly EN-
force the first article Of the amendment
which is designed TO carry into effect thu
previously existing provision of our consti
tution-so often sregarded-making fed
eral office-holders ineligible to membership
in the general assembly. There are severa
cases reported of the election of United
States officials to the present Legislature.
THE HUNTINGTON REQUEST.
The duty of securing to the state the full
benefit of this bequest was by joint resolu
ton of 1878 imposed upon the governor.
gave the matter my first attention, an'
finding that the validity OF the will wa
likely to be established and that no person
had been designated and authorized by thu
state to receive the funds and receipt there
for to the executor, called the attention
OF the judiciary committees of the tw'
houses to the necessity of legislation con
ferring such authority upon some one. TIL
result was the passage of a joint resolution