The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-01-07
ination for its facts and its malgnity for its
inspiration is entirely correct.

ination for its facts and its malgnity for its
inspiration is entirely correct.
DIR. l.. G. BUTLER of Essex comments as
follows in the Argus on one of the laws |
passed by the last legislature: "The duties |
of the supervisors of the insane are consider
ably increased by the act of the legislature. |
They are now required to visit all places in |
the state where insane persons are confined,
they have the general supervision of the
insane in the state not in confinement, so
far as it concerns their physical and mental
condition, their care, management and
medical treatment, and also of those who
are discharged from the asylum at Brattle-
boro or place of confinement, under the act
of 1882 They are also empowered : to make
such orders thereon as each case requires
These provisions are very important, since
the insane are not all in the asylum or re-
treat, and are liable to i'll treatment in the
aims houses, society and towns, or localities
where they may be kept. The state wisely
continues its supervision over its wards
when they are sent away conditionally from
the asylum. The provisions of the law of
1882 are still in force, under which ap-
peals can be taken from the decisions of
the physicians, who may in some instances
be biased in their opinion by surrounding
circumstances, to the board of supervisors,
who are directed to investigate all such cases
at the expense Of the state. In order to
facilitate these labors outside of the asylum
or other place OF confinement, they have
assigned the counties of Windham, Benning-
ton, Windsor and Rutland to Supervisor
Goodhue of Westminster Vest the counties
of Addison Chittenden, Washington, Frank
lin and Grand Isle to Supervisor Butler of
Essex; and the counties of Orange, Gale
donia, Lamoille, Orleans and Essex to
Supervisor johnson of West Concord. The
action of the supervisors, in performing the
duties imposed upon them by the legisla-
ture need not be officious or intermeddling,
but in the line of what we understand to be
the policy of the state and the dictates of
humanity-to know that these unfortunate
persons, bereft of their reason and depen-
dent, are properly cared for by those who
have them in charge"
The Montpelier district centennial con-
vention of the Methodist Episcopal church
convened at Northfield Monday evening,
December 30. 1t opened with a sermon in
the evening by Rev. Joseph E. Knapp of
Chelsea. Tuesday morning at nine o'clock,
the session was called to order by the pre-
siding elder, Rev. II. A. Spencer. After
devotional services, Rev. George f. Smith
of Plainfield and j. E. Freeman of Water
bury were elected secretaries of the conven-
ton, and Frank Plumley, Esq, gave a very
felicitous address of welcome, giving brief
review of the leading points in the history
| of the denomination, and the chairman
made an appropriate response. At two
o'clock in the afternoon o. b. Boyce, Esq,
of Barre, the designated chairman of this
session, called to order, and Rev. j. O. Sher-
| burn read historical review of the his
tory of the Methodist Episcopal church for
the first twenty-five years, since the first
! Called the Christmas) conference, held in
Baltimore, Maryland, in 1874. Rev. George
e. Smith then read review of the second
twenty-five years, and Rev. f. W. Hamblin
of Waterbury review of the third twenty.
five years, general remarks following the
discussion of each article. In the evening
NV L. L EIOSi Vi NlOHlpblleT utuNeGtu d
centennial address of great strength and
beauty, showing much research, and being
given in a very impressive manner. Wed
nesday morning at nine o'clock the devo
tional services were conducted by JOIN
Morrison of Groton. At half-past ten Rev
| A. NJ Wheeler of Barre took the chair, anC
Rev. G. II. Farnsworth of Groton presented
historical review of the last twenty-fv,
years, and Rev. l.. o. Sherburn of Randolph
read paper upon the Sunday-school worl
of the denomination for the century, Civ
ing Bishop Asbury credit of organizing tn,
first Sunday-school movement on this con
tinent. President j. ID. Beeman then re
ported for the Centennial General Con
ference session, whose meeting had jus
closed at Baltimore, to whichhe was dele
gate This was a striking and eloquen
presentation of the personnel and work o
this great meeting. Wednesday Afternoon
at two o'clock Rev. A. j. Hough of Whit
River junction delivered a unique an,
striking centennial poem, and paper oi
Woman in Methodism." An old-tim
matchmaking was Observed ushering il
the new year, Revs. II. A. Spencer and j
A. Sherburn of Barre preaching the ser
mons. There were thirty preachers pres
ent besides lay delegates, and the attend
ance was good throughout.