St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-03-22


tration in place of the too frequent re-
sort to jury trial /; advocated reform in
matters of taxation; gave special at
tention to educational matters, recon-
mending uniformity of text books, con-
solidation of the smaller schools and
the employment of a higher grade of
teachers, and made other suggestions
of practical nature. But a special
: feature of the message was sharp ar
, raignment of the prison system of the
state, which he declared failure, radi-
cally wrong in principle, and demand
ed a revision of the entire prison sys-
, tenn then in vogue. The message was
received with universal commentator.
The state press pronounced it "clear
in expression, broad and statesmanlike
in its views" The Springfield, Mass,
Republican, under the editorial head,
GA Reform Governor in Vermont
discussed the recommendations of the
message at length, saying:
Gov. Fairbanks's message is unex-
pectedly remarkable for its sharp and
intelligent criticism of state admins
tratiOn. He brings to his Of
flee a critical and healthful spirit.
The New York Graphic, discussing
the message editorially, said:
Gov. Fairbanks is practical re-
former. While others talk reform lie
acts it. In selecting him for her chief
magistrate Vermont chose better than
she knew, and her renowned scale
maker will prove a model governor.
The Graphic's prophecy was verified.
The message foreshadowed the wise
and judicious administration that fol-
lowed, and the Legislature put upon
the statute books as laws many of the
recommendations it contained.
1t was during his term as governor
that the Bennington Battle Monument
association was formed. He was one
of the corporate members of the assO-
citation and brought about the centen-
NAL celebration that occurred in 1877,
when President Hayes and many 9th
er notable men were present.
The most munificent of all his many
gifts was that of the Athen8um and
public library to the town of st. Johns
bury. The foundations of the build
ing were laid in 1868. Three years
later it was completed and on the
evening of Nov. 81, 1871, was present
ed to his fellow citizens by Gov. Fair
banks. The closing sentences of his
address on that occasion show the
spirit ill which it was given:-
1t gives me profound satisfaction
and sincere pleasure to present to you
and your children, and to all who may
come after you the free use of this
building and it's contents. My highest
ambition will be satisfied and fullest
expectations realized, if now, and in
the coming years, the people make the
rooms of the AthenRum a favOrite
place of resort for patient research,
reading and study.
The people had hardly time to re-
alize the value of this great gift, when
another was added, that of the beauti-
full art gallery with it's rich collection
of paintings, all selected by Gov. Fair
banks and including a number of
works by the old masters. The crown
ing work of all was Bierstadt's master
piece, "The Demes of the Yosemite" a
princely gift in itself and which holds
the position of honor in the gallery.
This picture was originally owned by
Legrand Lock wood who bought it of
the painter for $4,000. On Mr.. Lock-
woods failure and death it was bought
by Gov. Fairbanks. The surprise of
the country that so fine a work should
find Il resting place in a northern YER
mont town found expression in this
item that appeared at the time in the
San Francisco Call =
Now The DOmes of the Yosemite are
doomed to the seclusiOn of a Vermont
town where it will astOnish the ma
tiVes.
1t did astonish the natives, indeed,
but it found them capable of appreciate
ing it's beauties and the generous giver
of it. The cost of all these things no
one knew but the donor, though it was
estimated that it could not have been
less than 100000. Add to this the
cost of maintenance each year which
has been wholly borne by Gov. Fair
banks, and the original gift has been
almost duplicated. OF the original
trustees, Horace Fairbanks, w. w.
| Thaver Edward r. Fairbanks A. F.
Rankin and Franklin Fairbanks, only
two, Rev. Edward II. and Franklin
Fairbanks survive.
Governor Fairbanks at Home.
But it was as a husband, as father,
a brother, a friend, courteous Chris
tian gentleman, a public spirited citi-
zen, that Governor Fairbanks was best
known in this community. His luxu-
riOus home, adorned with many evil
dences of his own taste and culture,
was open at all times for the enter
tainment of his friends. He was a
quiet man, yet always approachable,
and in his own home the most delight
full of hosts. The cordial greeting, the
warm pressure of the hand. the kindly
words, ('I never knew him to speak
an unkind word of another" says one
who was very near him in life,) all
gave evidence that his was that genu-
inc charity which inclines men to
think favorably of their fellowmen and
to do them good. 1t may be said with