Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-10-06
VERMONT LEGISLATURE.

The preliminary scenes of the gath
ering of the legislature were not far
different from those of two years ago.
The members generally arrived during
the day and evening of Tuesday pre-
ceding the opening, with the usual
sprinkling of old members to induct
the "infants'' into the chairs of state.
The contest for speakership developed
the strength of the most popular can
didates early Tuesday evening. Be-
fore the night was far gone it was &C
knowledged that the Hon. j. X.
Batchelder of Arlington had the
strongest force, and it was whispered |
that Major Grout form Derby would |
withdraw from the field early Wednes-
day morning. The democrats, I'M
daunted, determined to show an Or
ganizatjon by presenting candidates
for speaker and clerk. A caucus
was held, and Herbert F. Brigham of
Bakersfield, and the rising young law
yer from Rutland, P. M. Meldon,
were accordingly selected for the two
places to represent the minority. At
ten o clock Wednesday morning, the
two branches of the Legislature as
sembled for the purpose of organic
ing. The senate, a grave and delib-
crate body, speedily perfected its
work, with all the senator's elect pres
ent. Chauncey X. Brownell of Will
mington was reelected secretary, and
Alfred X. Brown of Sheldon assistant
secretary. Rev. William S. Hazen
of Mortified was chosen chaplain.
Mr.. Thompson of Orleans county was
elected president pro tempore by ac-
clamation. The following commit
tee on the part of the senate was APP
pointed to canvass the vote for state
officers: Senators Clark of Addison,
Curtis of Bennington, Brainerd of
Caledonia, Brewster of Chittenden,
Hobson of Essex, Moren of Franklin,
Mott of Grand Isle, Cristy of La
noble, McDuffee of Orange, Fletcher
of Orleans, Hill of Rutland, Chaplin
of Washington, Garfield of Windham
and Amsden of Windsor.
The house was called to order by
secretary of state, and after prayer
by Rev. Mr.. Hopkins of South Bur-
, lington, attention was called to the
election of a speaker. James X
Batchelder was placed in nomination
by Col. A. B Franklin of Newfane
, and was seconded by Messrs. Barrett
of Rutland, Henry of Chester, Pilline
, of Bennington, Fisks of LaMotte
f Lewis of Vergennes. Grout of Derby
Van Vliet of Shelburne, Robinson O
i Weathersfeld, Kenfeld of Hyd,
!, Park. Herbert F. Brigham of Bak
: ersfield, was nominated by Mr.. Dear
1 born of Vershire, nee Ely, and sec
o onded by Mr.. Farnham of West Fair
II lee. Mr.. Grout of Derby Withdrew
his name from the contest in grace
!. full manner, and cordially seconde'
o Mr.. Batchelder, who was elected b
s. vote of 1875 to % for Mr.. Brigham
:. and 3 scattering. The speake: cleo
IL was escorted to the chair by Messrs
, Grout and Brigham and accepted til
X office with an impressive speech. Nj
n Walker of Ludlow, nominated w
lie w. Stickney of Ludlow for clerk
E. which nomination was seconded b
'e Mr.. Fairbanks of ST Johnsbury. Th
y democrats through DR.. Conland c
Q Brattleboro, who occupies the gallar
it Col. Hooker's seat. placed in nomir
re alton P. M. Meldon of Rutland. M
at Stickney was elected by vote of 19
IL to 50. Rev. William A. Bryant Wa
at elected chaplain by exclamation
a Governor Barstow sent his valedict,
st ~ to both houses and it was read
mt the afternoon.
IS The senate is composed of thir1
We senators, of whom there are twent-
= seven republicans and three dem
1T Gratis. Eighteen have been membe
W. of the house, two of the senate, oil
to of both house and senate, and Nil
are new senators. Twenty-Five we
~ born in Vermont, two in Maine, Oh
i'm each in New Hampshire, New Yo
IN, and Ireland. Thirteen reside in t
tn town in which they were born. Ele
on Ell ARE farmers, four lawyers, TO
- merchants, two physicians, two lul
tie bermen, one a banker, one an inst
re- ance agent, one station agent, al