Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-05-29
THE SPECIAL VILLAGE MEETING.

The attendance at the special village
meeting last Monday evening was small, less
than 100 voters being presents After the
call TO order and the reading OF the warrant,
f. q. Crosby, chairman Of the board Of bal
lffs stated to the meeting the steps which
the bailiGs had taken, pursuant to nstruc-
tions, toward finding out what could
be done toward securing playground for
the boys. He said it WAS found that Mr.
Crowell had leased the Frost meadow 10 Mar
tin Austin for pasture and Mr.. Austin was
not disposed TO give up the lease. Moreover,
objection was made by people living in the
vicinity TO the boys playing there and under
the circumstances il was not thought best TO
urge Mr.. Austin 10 yield to the village. 1t
was reported that good place for a play
ground could be hired on the island but on
investigation it was found that the owners
were not disposed TO lease it any price. The
Chaplin lot on the east side OF Oak street and
the ChRppell lot on Western avenue we're e1-
amined, but ii was found that both were oc-
cupied. Estey a. Co. offered a lot back Of
their shops at a rental Of $40, but il was
found that this was only half large enough
for a ball ground Several acres on the fair
ground could be bought for 5000, or the
boys would be allowed 10 play there free Of
charge 80 long as they behaved themselves
properly. Finally investigation had been
made of Smith q Hunts lot between their
shop and the dyke. This was the most avail
able spot for the purposes of a playground
and $3.50 was the least sum at which it could
be hired.
The report of the bailids was accepted.
TO test the sense of the meeting H. +.
Smith moved to accept the offer of the free
use OF the fair ground. The motion was lost
on a vote by reclamation.
As further test Luke Ferriter moved to
adopt the proposition to rent the Smith a
Hunt land at q rental of $50. During the
tendency Of this motion Hon. b. ID. Harris
addressed the meeting opposing the appro-
priation of money by the village for purposes
for which there was no warrant in the village
charter. or this class were the appropriations
Of money for Memorial-day. and TO pay
for playground, voted at the regular annual
meeting three weeks before He believed
the precedent was a dangerous one and
hoped the money would not be paid out by
the bailiffs. On his part he would cheerfully
pay fifth Of the fifty dollars voted for
Memorial-dRy rather than have such a prece-,
dent established, and would also pay what
WAS right toward the expense OF q play
ground. The question having been raised
whether money could legally be paid out Of
the village treasury for the purposes in ques-
ton, II was asked whether the baihlfs had
taken legal advice in the matter. The chair
man said that no definite counsel had been
taken and asked for the opinion of any Law.
yers present. Col Haskins, being appealed
to individually, replied that he was not there
a. a lawyer to give q legal opinion He
agreed however, with the view of Mr.. Har-
ris, that village appropriations should be
confined strictly to the purposes contemplated
by the village charter. Money for purposes
like those contemplated should be raised by
subscription, and on his part he was willing
TO give one-tenth OF the money required for
hemorial-day. Col. Hooker wanted nothing
done which was illegal he, however, favor
ed the appropriation he believed it was the
proper way to raise the money, and he pre-
ferred TO pay his share of il as q part of his
taxes.
ballot Was called for on Mr. Ferriter's
motion the vote stood 80 In favor TO a.
against and the motion was lost.
As means OF putting the sense of the
voters on record, though possessing no legal
or binding force, MIR. Harris moved to in
stTuct the bailiffs not to pay over the sums
voted at the annual meeting for Memorial
day and for & playground. Mr.. Crosby stat
ed on behalf of the bailfs that before pay
ing out the money they should take legal ud-
vice, and II the lawyers believed it WAS IN.
constitutional topay the money, or that its pay
ment would vitiate the tax list, the payment
would not be made. He thought an express
sion such rs Mr.. Harris contemplated was
not necessary, and the matter Was dropped
On motion the meeting was adjourned.
Boys who occupied the gallery having be-
gun to applaud such expressions as met their
approval, protest was made against such in.
reference with the deliberations of the meet
ing, and the chairman notified the bows that
II their demonstrations were repeated the
gallery would be cleared.