The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-04-26
THE PROPOSED OPERA HOUSE
SHALL WE HAVE A TOWN HALL,

SHALL WE HAVE A TOWN HALT
Interesting Facts, And an Open Lette
From Father Michaud,
We understand that the Y. NJ. A. hav
matured plans whereby by the expendi
ture of some Sl2, 900 the proposed Oper
House can be built to cover the vacan
lot south of the present library building
with an entrance on Silver street anC
the whole to be the same height. By
this plan the present building is left al
it now is, affording hall for town anC
village purposes, while the new par
will be modern opera house with in
clined floor, roomy stage at the south
end and all modern accessories. The
inclined floor gives space next to the
rear of Sibley's store, with an entrance
also on Silver street, for town clerks
Office l5x32 feet with arched ceiling, lS
feet in the clear, and south Of this roOmy
vaults also under the inclined floor OF
the opera house auditorium. This is
the outline of the third proposal, the
first and second of which were publish
ed last week. We incline to think that
this last suggestion will be adopted. By
it the opera house will be an opera
house indeed, and the old hall with the
stage reduced to a platform at one or
both ends will be available for town and
village meeting purposes, fairs, enter
tainments, etc.
Another reason why we think the
suggestion feasible is that the $4,000
asked of the town and the 81 1000 of the
villags towards this project reduces the
amount to be raised to figure which
seems to be within the power of our
public spirited men to raise. In other
words we are not bidding on project
which will be or may become white
elephant" In this connection we give
below letter addressed to the Rev. j.
S. Michaud and his reply in an "open
letter" on this subject, especially in its
applicability to the town. In most dis
cussions about public buildings the cost
of future repairs, insurance, ETC., are
not considered. And we are glad that
FIR. Michaud has touched upon this
point. The public may rest assured that
whichever of the various plans are
adopted, either will give the town and
village, and the people also, advantages
of the present day, while building or
namental to the village will be erected
sn the vacant Library lot,
We give the letter of Town Clerk
Booth as explanatory of and calling out
the reply of FIR. Michaud:
TOWN CLERK BOOTHS INQUIRY.
BENNINGTON, VI, April 10th, 1888.
Req. j. S. MichGud-DEAR SIR
Knowing your deep interest in all mat
tiers appertaining to the welfare Of this
and surroundings, | take
the liberty of drawing your attention to
the call of our Selectmen, for town
meeting to be held ON the 2Sth, inst,
and under such call act in regard to a
vault as receptacle for the safe keeping
of the valuable records and documents
now in my office, and other needed
rooms for the use of the town, and
officers as designed in a proposed addi
tion to the present building of the Young
Mems Association of Bennington.
An expression of your ideas in regard
to the matter, would be received with
and Difference, and think as
the subject matter is public, such eX-
preston would not be out of harmony
if expressed in public manner.
Hoping this may reach you at time
when such an expression, if you should
to make such, will not in
terfere in labor with your many import
ant duties.
| remain respectfully yours,
EDWARD A. BOOTH.
AN "oPEN LETTER" FROM FATHER
MICHAUD.
DEAR SlR:-It is not my custom to
interfere in public matters, since how
ever, the request comes from so many
and respectable sources, to know my
views in regard to the object of the call
made by our town fathers. must make |
an exception. 1t would be a waste of
words to speak of the need of suitable |
hall for Bennington. The Ike which |
now boasts of that name, belongs to |
other days. If the association cannot |
supply the demand of our times, private |
enterprise will soon do so.
What want to speak of and plead for,
is the proposition made by the Young
Mems Association. They propose to |
give to the town for stated time--a
hall for town meetings and voting pur-
poses, also room for our clerk and an |
other for our Selectment besides they |
will furnish suitable tire-proof vault |
for the safe-keeping of the records and
documents, belonging to the town. The |
sum asked for, / believe is $4,000. This
Is very generous offer coming from the |
young men.
Let me be plain. The day is coming,
and not far distant, for one reading the |
signs of the times, when call will be |
made for town building such as Rut-
land, Burlington, st. Johnsbury and
many other places now possess. This
would mean, of course, large outlay Of
end the citizens would never |
know when appropriations might cease
10 be necessary. Is it not then an act |
Of wisdom to step in and advise the ac-
ceptance of the Young Mems offer? You
will get for number of years all the |
town privileges and securities needed.
AS long as these privileges will belong
TO you. and the accommodations will be |
adequate-you will not be burdened
with the expense of putting up public
building.
Do you not see in this project great |
remedy against a future large taXation7
By all means, let us have Home Rule. |
Let us have property which may be
called our own for at least one genera
lion. A town like ours, to be tenant
at will-looks rather humiliating
Another side of the question. The
money you vote the association, will be
spent in the town. Besides, your money
will be the means of drawing out $l0,- |
300 or $4,000 more from our wealthy
friends. hope every laborer, mechanic |
and farmer, will think of this before
casting his ballot. One of the great
needs of Bennington just now, is more
the more money put in cir
the better.
Respectfully,
J. S. MIcHAUD.
April Esd, 1888.
LOCAL MILITARY MATTERS,