davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12

There seemed 10 be no reason for a change
in the policy Of the state
Col. A. +. Walker and Mr. Higbee spoke
in answer 10 Gov Smith Col Walker
thought there was no need Of such fear CON
corning the effect Of certain provisions Of
the proposed commission hills as was cx-
pressed 10y Gov. Smith. The people demand
a commission and that was reason enough
for il. He thought that n commission ought
not to fix rates, certainly not maximum
rates, ny proposed by some Of the bills It
should be minimum rates that the commits
sion should fix, if they fixed rates. He
thought that it would be possible to fix n
law that would he beneficial 10 both the
people and the railroads Feelings Of ami
mostly in a matter like this were out Of
place, and he thought there were no such
feelings ON the part Of the friends Of a com
mission
Mr.. Higbee expressed his opinion Of Gov.
Smiths speech in few earnest words. H.
thought that a commission law was demand
ed by the people and the legislature could
not go home without enncting one.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12
Gov. smith before the oommi,.ee.

1t is difficult to have patience with such
"A specious piece of special pleading as ex-
Gov Smith delivered before the railroad
committees ON Tuesday evening. His story
is an old one and has been 50 often repeated
that he gave it with even more than his &c
customed seductive smoothness In the ex-
Governors view everything is now exactly
right and just as it should be as between the
state, the railroads. and the people, for our
laws cover every point and contingency
and is not the ear of the Supreme Court al
ways open to hear and adjust grievances
As if any individual or community might ap-
proach the Supreme Court any time and be
sure of ready hearing and quick decision
such as "A special commission would give
Moreover, how many individuals or commu-
mites could afford the expense of taking dis
puted questions before the court, saying
nothing of the inevitable delay which would
be involved What is needed is a tribunal
to come upon the ground when complaint i,
made and investigate and decide with the
the least trouble and expense both to the
railroads and the people.
Equally specous was Gov. Smiths plea
against commission being allowed to ex
anime books. contracts and accounts He
knows very well that no commission in any
state ever has or ever will give away t,
competing lines any information respecting
honest methods and Legitimate husines,
which ought not to be made public 1t is
only deeds of darkness that fear the light
Every argument which the railroad peo
strong and unanswerahle argument in ia
vor of a commission.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12

unjust burdens upon them would defeat It's
own ends that ii would either become at
once a dead letter. or would create reac-
ton in the public mind which would end in
it's early abrogation.
On another point we believe the Record
10 be- right most decidedly. and that is in
saving that the best thing Vermont can do
is to begin with law modelled ON that of
Massachusetts and this in spite Of the sug-
restions sarcastically thrown out 10y the rail
road people that I'VE have heard enough
about the Massachusetts law" and that
Vermont is able tu take care of herself in
this matter The Massachusetts, law is the
oldest effective law Of its kind in existence
in any state. 1t is growth rather than IA
special creation, and has taken its present
form gradually. rs the experience of years
has shown that changes were necessary.
The chances are that every step which our
Vermont legislature attempts to take away
from the general spirit aud methods Of the
Massachusetts, law will be step in the
wrong direction Our legislators now in
session at Montpelier are undoubtedly capa-
bile of framing and enacting good railroad
commission law on their own account, but
there is small use in working ON uncertain
ties or attempting doubtful or crude exper-
iments when good model, which we know
to be effective and satisfactory, is ready at
hand
The danger we believe, will be found to
be. not that the members Of this Legislature
are not favorable to good railroad com
mission law, but that too many member,
will rely ON the judgment or influence OF
others as guide for their own action. II
each individual member would make a study
of the subject independently, and acquaint
himself with the underlying principles Of
the Massachusetts, and New York laws and
their method of operation, there would b,
small danger that the Legislature as a whole
could he drawn away from its purpose t,
enact an efficient law for the supervision o.
our railroads in the interest of the peopl,
and equally for the benefit of the railroa,
companies in its ultimate effect
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12
Hard on lLr noahInmrn.

They are trying "A case at Winnipeg,
Man, that causes much trepidation among
the American colony of doodle refugees in
Canada. man named Stuart who fled
from Wachita, Kan, with $1,000 belonging
TO the Western Union telegraph company.
is being prosecuted by the company at Win
nipeg under Dominion statute which pro
vides that if any person brings into Canada,
or has in his possession therein, any proper
ty stolen, embezzled converted or obtained
by fraud or false pretense in any other
country, in such manner that such stealing,
embezzlement, etc, would he by the laws
Of Canada, felony the bringing Of such
property into Canada or having in possess
ion such goods, knowing the same To have
been stolen, shall be AN offense of the same
nature and punishable in like manner as if
the stealing had taken place in Canada, and
the party committing the offense may he
tried and convicted in any Judicial court in
the Dominion. If the Western Union is
successful in its suit, it is understood that
several important cases, in which heavy
amounts are involved, will be opened under
the same statute and which will be made
interesting TO a few of the American refu-
gees from justice who at present are so
lourning in Canada.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12
STATE NEWS.

The Burlington college students disgraced
themselves and the university by their ac-
tons ON Halloween night when they broke
into Professor Goodrich's room and daubed
the furniture and walls with paint Other
rooms were visited and treated IN the same
manner. Worst of all, the statue Of Iafay-
cite, presented by John T. Howard at a cost
Of $2O, 900, was also visited and the pedes
tai daubed with dark material and other
wise shamefGlly treated The defacing
stuff has been removed as far a. possible.
but the stains remain, 10 the standing shame
Of the perpetrators Of the vile deed
The letter carriers of Rutland during Oc-
toher, their first month, handled third
more mail matter than those Of Burlington.
The new building, costing S25 900. which
was first occupied only the Saturday previ-
Gus by the Rutland Herald, was badly dam
aged by fire Friday loss $1,000. fully in
sured. Most of the damage 10 the news
paper was by water, and the publication
was not interrupted Other occupants Of
the building lost small amounts, which was
also covered by insurance.
The prosecution against Lawrence Brain
erd, the defaulting st Adams bank pr,.si-
dent, has been compromised, il is said, by
Judgments of 500 IN each of the - or
more suits being entered against him Ii is
understood that Brainerd will pay up and
come back To St. Adams 20 live.
The postmaster general has appointed FL
sic +. Giddings postmaster al Hubhardton
and A. G, Preble at West Bridport
The St Adams Messenger saws that Oscar
Meyer, the murderer Of Krause, who is
now at the state prison, attempted suicide
recently with piece of glass and made AN
ugly wound i'll his throat, but is alive.
Uncle Harvey Castle and wife of Gas
Teton celebrated the j0th anniversary of
their marriage ON Tuesday
Mrs Baxter, widow 20 years old, was
found drowned at Middlebury in barrel Of
rain water Tuesday morning. A kerosene
barrel had been set into the ground, pro
jecting about six inches above the surface.
Head down in this barrel the woman was
found still grasping household utensil in
each hand. 1t is supposed that she went "a
the barrel to rinse out these utensils, and
slipping, fell headlong into the barrel in
such way that she was unable 10 eXtricate
herself. 1t is not known at what time OF
the night OF morning the accident occurred
if it was an accident. There has been som,
suspicion of suicide, but the appearance,
scarcely seem TO warrant the theory. Mrs
Baxter was very peculiar woman and al
times WAS ahdigta1 IA ItfuE
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12

Last Saturday, Sunday and Monday were
devoted to celebration, with appropriate
exercises and festivities, of the 2j0th ami
versary of Harvard College Monday was
the great day. the presence of President
and Mrs. Cleveland helping to swell the
crowds which filled Boston and Cambridge
to enormous proportions \ morning pro
cession in which the President appeared,
was followed 10y suitable religious exercises
and the comforting of degrees, and then by
"a grand banquet at the end of which Presi-
dent Eliot, Gov. Robinson, President Cleve-
land and others spoke briefly The main
Grafton was by James Russell Lowell and
the poem was by Oliver Wendell Holmes
The celebration was brought to an exciting
close by grand torchlight procession and
pyrotechnic display in the evening under
the auspices of the undergraduates There
was an afternoon reception to the President
at Faneuil hall and one in the evening at
the Hotel Vendome.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12
To Our Esteemed Contemporaries.

lfrom the burlington Free Press.
The various newspapers which are an
nouncing that Vermont has given, or is
about to give, the suffrage TO women, are
informed that such is not the case Wom-
en- cannot have the franchise in this state
without an amendment of our constitution,
and our constitution cannot be changed till
1894. A bill has passed the Vermont house,
giving the few women who own property
in their own right and pay taxes, the right
to vote ON municipal matters. Whether
this bill will pass the Senate is a matter of
doubt but if it does it will be a very diff
terent matter from giving women the suf-
trage in the sense in which our contempt
raries evidently understand it. To limit
ed extent women can now vote in this state
For number of years past women who
pay school taxes have been allowed 10 vote
ON school matters, But only the merest
fraction of them-less than two per cent.
we think-ever exercise the privilege
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12

A move in earnest is being made in Penn
sylvania against the railroad free pass
abuse. The attention of Gov. Pattison has
been called to the fact that every railroad
company in the state is daily violating the
article of the state constitution prohibiting
the granting of free passes to any person
except officers or employees of the company
~ has been asked to apply to the courts for in
functions against every individual company
restraining its officers from issuing passes
Then if pass is given to any person other
than the officers or employees of the road
or any such person is allowed to ride free
1t will constitute a contempt of court, being
a breach of the injunction, and process can
be issued by attachment, and the president
of the company can be punished. 1t is as
serted that members of the legislature
continue to ride ON free passes, and have al
so neglected to enforce the corporation pro-
visions of the organic law, and that the
railroad companies continue to grant passes
in defiance of the constitutional prohibition
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12
The Kind of Railroad q ommi--ion Law.


Il Vermont the legislature is wrestling over
cad commission law. It is concluded that
mission will be established; the only question
ncernng its character. Some Of the ardent
monopolists want an iron-clad law with
penalties. which, if enforced will keep half
abroad men in the state in prison portion of
ear while the railroads. yielding to the inev-
are anxious TO copy the Massachusetts ad-
ry commission idea.
e do not know how il would work up In Yer
mt, where the railroads. soon a man is in
Ice, lay their pipes 10 corral him; hut IN Massa-
ausetts the commission has operated Ia a charm
nd It's recommendations, made with Judgment
and care, have practically the effect Of DEGREES.
The best thing for Vermont To do, all things con
ddered, is 10 begin with advisory commission
aw modelled on that Of Massachusetts; then let
he Legislature pay the commissioners a decent
salary, select the best men for the place and try
Its working for two years. If the railroads be
have themselves this will be the way 10 continue
If they do not, then at the end of the two years
the Legislature pass a harsher law. But II il
can be done with less friction, it is much the bet
Ter way both for the railroads and the people Of
the STATE. Boston EreHiHg Record.
The Records advice is sound and it Gov
RS exactly the position which every con
sistent and judicious friend of railroad su-
, perYlslon m Vermont has taken since the
present discussion of the subject started
No true friend Of railroad commission has
ever urged the passage of law containing
harsh, mandatory and ''iron-clad" provi-
SONS. From no section of the state has the
'all for commission been louder or more
rnest than from this, and no section, prob
(, has felt more seriously the pernicious
~. Of unjust discrimination in rates, or
al more occasion 10 feel the need of of a
unlnission in other respects but no voice
las been raised here for law which shall
e other than absolutely just and equitable
lbs provisions. Wise friends of railroad
pdrvision see that a law 10 be effective
permanent must be as just and fair TO
d the railroads as toward the people.
know that a law which should attempt
discriminate against the railroads or heap
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12
Mis Fnrcwen Tour.

James G. Blaine spent last Saturday in
Wall street, New York, attending to sever
al business ventures in which he is interest
ed. He dined with his nephew in the after
noon. Mr.. Blaines newhew, in talking
about his uncle, said 1T has been said
that Mr.. Blaine is here for political pur-
poses. ! know that he is not and that he
came here TO look after some of his invest
ments. He has not expressed any opinion
about the last election in this city, heard
him say the other day most positively that
he was out of politics, and that he was not
seeking the nomination for the presidency
by the Republicans in 1888.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12
Morrisnn,s nefcnI.

The defeat for reelection of VIM r. Nor
rison, the tariff reform Congressman from
Illinois. was accomplished squarely ON the
anti free-trade issue, and is hard blow at
the tariff reform movement of which Mr.. Nor
rison has made himself the exponent John
Baker, the candidate chosen to oppose him.
was nominated on protective platform and
he went through the district making protec-
tive speeches Morrison met the question
and discussed it from the practical point Of
view, and had the victory beyond all con
troversy until the appearance Of John Jar
rett of Pittsburg. Jarrett entered the dis
trict AS a representative workingman, arm
ed with pamphlets of the Philadelphia Pro
tective association, and provided with ample
funds, contributed he said. by the working
mems tariff club Of Pittsburg. This fund he
distributed in the employment of men at 50
per day and all necessary expenses TO work
for Baker. His work was energetic and un-
ceasing. He spoke every night in the in
terest of protection, and engaged in several
joint discussions with Morrison's friends
His work was effective enough. The revo-
luton in the district was the greatest where
Jarrett remained the longest, while the
gains ran all through the district. Their
average was not great, and only in the man
ufacturing cities, where the floating vote is
largest, did they become powerful enough
to effect a change from 26O0 Democratic TO
1G1 Republican majority
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12

TFrOm the Boston Evening Record,
''Dan1, always have leaned on you in
an emergency"
Heavily, sire
We'll, Danl, | feel leaner than ever this
morning. This is great crisis.
Il know it, sire"
do we cross the Frog Pond by steam or
row-boat, Danl =
'Oh, sire, we merely go in sight of it,
What about that Gilded Dome. Is it
likely to fall ON us p
mo, sire the legislature sits almost the
year round 10 hold it up"
Pm greatly relieved, Dan1. These things
have kept me awake nights. didn't want
to be drowned, and l don't like TO be
crushed
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12
abe ()rrmunt llbUnit.
BRATTLEBORO.
FRIDAY. NOVEMBER -. 1886


The Phoenix will hr sent To- new subscribers from
thi. date to January list, ls~S FOR Si'SO' the
rfi,,.u f our yearly subscription
As heretofore the Mirror mud Farmer, the
,,u known farmers newspaper plhlished Mt
Manchester. \ ~. will be sent TO all advance pay
pe Phoenix subscribers for only 90 cents. New
subscribers to both The Phoenix aud the Mirror
and Farmer will receive both papers free for the
r-i " the year.
pnr arrangement Is also continued under which
Good Cheer and Our Country Home, the
excellent and widely circulated home and farmers
monthly papers, printed at Greenfield, Mass, will
le s.ut to advance paying Phoenix subscribers foi
Is cents year each, or ~ cents for the two.
We know " mo- way in which 81 much reading
soexccllent in quality and So varied in character
can h. obtained as by the acceptance II any or al
of these offers.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12
The Democrats in the Ns., Consr,-.

FROM tine burlington free ffess.
The Democrats are going to be seriously
crippled in the next House of Representa-
tives They will indeed have a majority
of about dozen votes but many of their
men are new and untried. and those upon
whom the party has hitherto depended as
leaders will be absent from their seats, by
the will of the people The recent elections
have made sad havoc in the Democratic
ranks. The party will sadly miss such lead
ers in the House as Morrison of Illinois,
Singleton of Mississippi Hewitt of New
York, Randolph Tucker of Virginia, Bragg
of Wisconsin. Warner of Ohio, Willis of
Kentucky and Aiken of South Carolina
OF the men who have come in in place of
these experienced Legislators none are of
any note as politicians. Mr. Carlisle, hav-
ing barely secured an election, will of
course he speaker-and it would be impOssi-
BILE to find better man for the place on the
Democratic side Cox of New York, Morse
of Massachusetts and Buckalew of Pennsyl-
vania are the only men who can be classed
as leaders in the House. The Democratic
proclivity to tariff tinkering has received a
serious rebuff, by the defeat of Morrison
and Hurd and from present indications at
tempts at reforms of the tariff will have
to be abandoned by the Democracy. Tine
/ Republicans will find themselves in much
better shape than their opponents in tn,
next Congress.
A few Republicans have been dropped
/ from the House roll among them Ander
son of Kansas, Negley of Pennsylvania and
Ranney of Massachusetts, But while tn,
| Democrats have lost their leaders, the Re
| publcans have retained Reed, Hiscock, KEEL
ley, Long, Mckinley and other leading men
and are so much stronger in members thar
before and so much superior in ability ant
experience, that it will not he surprising i
the actual leadership is taken by the minor
ity. The Democrats will have preponder
ance of members sufficient to fasten upol
them the responsibility for all sins of omis
sion and failures to fulfil the promises o
reform which they have made and befor,
the next national election they will prOba
bly, have occasion to wish that the majority
had been the other way, and the response
biity for legislation shifted to Republican
shoulders.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12

The official count re-elects Speaker Car
Isle from the Kentucky Sixth District 10y
16S votes, but Geo II. Thu,be. the working
mems candidate, who ran against Carlisle,
declares his intention of contesting the
election on the ground that the returns
were doctored in Carlisle's favor between
Tuesday night and the count on Friday.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12
Rnrmer. Lit,Ie A Cn.

The new dress of type in which The Pho
nix appears to-day speaks for itself of the
beauty and excellence Of the goods made by
Farmer, Little & Co., of New York. Their
foundry is one of the oldest in the country,
and its product, both of body and display
types, has steadily held leading place in
point of reliability and general attractive
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12

Gov Ormsbee finds the facts about Yer
mont's debt ON the United States arms &C
count 10 be the same as were set forth in
our columns the week following the promul-
CATION of the Third Auditors letter, with
the further fact added that the expense to
the state of organizing the militia for the
protection Of the frontier exceeded the
avails of the sales of arms by some S23, 900.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-12

Myra Goodwin has b.en here b-,n seen and
r+n apprrciatively enjoyed by a good audencr
II "A Montpelier audience. IL missing hereafter It
will ~ because this yeritable fairy Of the foot
lights has carried away the audience by her witch
cry and dancing The circus an and drum parade
wrrr particularly funny and her performance. on
the banjo wns very plrasinp Her ''twinkling
feet kicked rounds 81 appAI-e out OF the delight
'-i Spectators. She was we'll supported hy Mr.
Grnth as funny man and Miss NuNuu As 10. sym.
pathetic and humorous Iiibs'rniau Lass Th, play
is series II continued drsc.ntS from thu sublime
90 the ridiculous. and pathu- and humor follow IN
most abrupt succession. Miss Goodwins acting
has we'll been compared with Lotta's. Of whom
she is constant reminder especially a. Iyotta ap
Ir-afs Ia ''Mams,-lle Nitouche " which isis" IN a
slight drgr,. resembles. Mis- Goodwin has we'll
earned the ~,briquet Of ''the comedy sunbeam
Rural Termonfer Montpelier