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The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
COMMISSIONER OF IMMIGRATION.
How Major Valentines appointment is
Received-Duties OF the Position.

How Major Valentines appointment is
Received-Duties OF the Position.
Governor DilIingham's appointment of
Major A. B. Valentine to be commits
sioner, under act 10 of the last Legisla
ture, to investigate the agricultural and
manufacturing interest of the State and
devise means to develope them, is well
received by the press of the State. 1t is
the duty of the commissioner to collect
authentic statistical information in re-
gard to the agricultural interests and re-
sources. The commissioner is to report.
if advisable, bill to the next Lesisla-
ture, embodying any action that may be
necessary. The salary Of the Office is So
day and expenses, $4,000 being added
for any contingent expense that may
arise. Major Valentine will employ
clerk to assist him in the statistical
duties of the office.
Major Valentine is a native Vermonter.
born in Bennington in 1880. He fitted for
Williams college but instead of taking
the college course decided to go into
business. At the breaking out of the
war he went into the army as quarter
master of the 10th Vermont regiment
and served to the close of the war, also
having been promoted to brigade COM
missary, with the rank of captain and
brevet major, On the return of peace
he again engaged in business and be-
come a manufacturer of knit goods and
established business which is now one
of tie largest industries in the State.
In 1876 Major Valentine made an ex-
tended tour through Europe and took a
great interest IN the condition of mill
operatives especially in England. He
has also travelled extensively on this
continent and with his habits of obser-
walton has laid up large store of infor-
nation, which will add to his qualifi-
cations for the duties of the office.
The growth of the Vermont Depart
ment of the Grand Army of the Republic
was remarkable under Majo Valentines
administration as department comman-
der in 1882 and 1888, and added to his
reputation for executive ability. He
was State senator in 1884 and was the
author of some important bills which
became laws.
His articles on the tariff and labor
question during the late campaign at
tracted much attention and were extern
sively copied by our State papers and
prominent metropolitan journals.
The position of commissioners of agri-
cultural and manufacturing interests
was reluctantly accepted by him, but
with his energy and executive ability
there is no doubt but he will fill the pos
ition ably and render valuable public
service in it.-FTee Press.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
THE LENTEN SEASON.

Bishop De GOesbrland OF Burlington
has just issued the regulations Tor the
Lenten season which begins Wednesday
March 6, as follows:
/, Every day in Lent except Sunday
is a fast day of obligation on one meal ,
with the allowance of light collation. IN
the evening. The precept OF fasting I'M
plies also that of abstinence from the
use of flesh meat, but in virtue OF an IN
dult granted for ten years by the SOW
ereign Puntiff, Pope Leo XIII, to the
Archbishops and Bishops of the United
States, the use of flesh meat, eggs and
milk is allowed at Ill the meals on Sun
day and at the principle meal on Mon
days, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Satur
days, the Saturdays of Ember and Holy
week being excepted; but the use OF
flesh meat and fish at the same meal is
forbidden during the whole OF Lent,
even on Sundays,
2. The use of milk and eggs is allowed
every day of Lent at the evening COLA
ton and at the principle meal on the
day it is not allowed to eat meat.
In the morning it is permitted to
use small piece of bread, with cup OF
tea, coffee or chocolate or something
of that kind.
4. When the principle meal cannot be
taken at noon the order may be inverted,
and the collation. taken in the morning,
and the dinner at evening.
5. Lard and fat may be used in pre-
pairing the kind of food which is permit
ted.
6. The faithful who are exempt from
the law of fasting are allowed on the
DAYS that the use of flesh, milk and eggs
is permitted to all, to use them as many
times IN the day as on the Sunday, on
which there is no obligation to fast.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
SOLDIERS HOME NOTES.

The Soldiers Home in Vermont was
the scene of very interesting occasion
last evening. A delegation from Troy,
N. Y, consisting of Comrades Chas. A.
Seymour, Chas. M. Leet, RR. Richards,
John Wells, James G. Moore, VIM. F.
Pfeil, l.. Z. Griffith, Geo. Campbell and
John Butler of Willard Post, q. A. R.,
and j. NJ. Snyder of Tibbits Post I4I,
The Haversack" OF the Troy Sunday
Budget, arrived on the evening train.
Alter bountiful supper all assembled
in the main dining hall when COmrade
Chas. +. Graves of Custer Post in
happy manner explained the object of
the visit by the comrades from Troy,
which was responded to by Comrade
Seymour, who, in behalf of the delega-
ton from Willard Post, presented a
check for S53 and other articles to fur
nish room in our Soldiers Home. The
furnishings of which will not be excell-
ed by any other room in the Home
Supt. Coffey in behalf of the Home ac-
cepted the gift with some appropriate
remark. Mrs. Coffey, the matron of the
Home, expressed in a very handsome
manner, her thanks to the ladies' who
had assisted the comrades to so hand
somely furnish their room and called on
her Boys for three cheers to
comrades and friends in Troy, which
were given with hearty good will.
The delegation then visited the nicely
tu nished quarters of Custer Post, G. A.
X and the residence of Comrade Chas.
E, Graves, and returned to their home
after making one of the pleasant pages
in the history of our Soldiers Home.
Joseph Peppin, Co. F., 9th Vt. Regt /,
B. NJ. Scully, Co. G., 1st Vt. Cavalry and
Thos. o. Moore, Co. H., IS b VT, report
ed to the Home during the past week.
Whole number cared for to date 66, pres
ent 52. Fifteen other applicants have
received notice that they can now be re
cpivsd
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
THE OPERA HOUSE

The proposal or suggestion made by
the BANNER few weeks since, has TAX
EN- shape, 80 that at least $25 900 is as
sured for the erection of an Opera House
here the coming season, When Mr.. A.
X Richie purchased the Chandler prop
erty on Main street, the thought came
into mind. why not include also the lot
OF Capt Hupf, giving ample frontage
and depth for large block, the second
and third stories then could be made into
Just such an Opera House as Bennington
needs. The ideI took favorably and re-
suited at once in the subscl iption of
SIG 600 worth Of stock. This has been
added to so that the enterprise is assured
And not only this, but absent Benning-
tonians, whose experience else here 10
Opera House investments ought TO give
consitei alton to their words, have writ
ten here asking to be let into the stock
company, or making off rs Of property
and sites. All this proves the feasibility
OF the :dta from an investment stand.
pout.
There is no luminosity or opposition to
the Free l. brary Hall property or to the
Y. NJ. A. IN all this. The proposal of
last year was given up ON legal grounds
and It was finally considered impracti-
cable to admit The town ana village as
partners.
Moreover the title tn the betterments.
II the Library Hall Opera House plan
were chosen, would lie with the Y. NJ.
A hrst, aud conunKenlly with the tIus-
tees, 50 that the capitalists who put
m Jney into 1t would be encountered
with alliances which might and might
not be agreeable. This IL altogether OFF
ferent from 'quare proposal to bu Id
an Opera House block rs business in
ysstment with clear title in fee simple
Ihat store alone with two public halls
3bxlOO feet above, would be built by Mr..
Ruchle was assured before this Opera
House project took direction, These
halls would take from the Free Library
Hall revenue, but the Opera House plan.
with fixed seating aud not dance hall,
Is not an agunistic-and besides the VII
lage demands II. Win an ad, uuate
place Tor the bitter Glars of entertain
mentS our town will become rated IA
something better than nOw-"goud for
minstrrls"--and the Y. NJ A. will esiab-
lish reading rooms, smoking rooms etc.
30 that The public will turn IN and sup
port The whole far better than il now
eked out by the present order OF things.
What do the people think Of this pro. !
Ject, is the question
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
Post ONCE Department,

1t is generally cence led that the Dem
ocratic Administration, now about to
retire, has pretty thoroughly democrat
lied the postal service. Almost from
the start that department has been run
as political machine, and in bringing
this about the service has been greatly
impaired.
According to Senator Chace of Rhode
Island, who occupies the second place
on the Senate Committee on Postoffices.
the cost of the department has increased
not only actually, but in greater pro-
portion than the business during Cleye-
lands administration. Though demand
ing and receiving relatively more money
to run the department, the service has
declined in efficiency.
The percentage of increase i'm the
number OF letters sent to the dead letter
office suddenly went up from ID to 81
per cent, showing less efficiency on the
part of the officials.
AS to errors made by postal clerks the
footings are 429,37 incorrect slips, with
03S,47S errors in 1888; 396, TAG incorrect
slips. with 1887, 7O4 errors, in 1885, and
697, 5l3 incorrect slips, with 1,734, 617
errors, in 1887. For "missent" letter
packages, pouches and sacks the num-
Der was 14,544 in 1883, IA S41 in 1885 and
1926 in 1887. Well may Senator Chace
ask IL this is Increased accuracy For
'misdirected" letter packages. pouches
and sacks there we're 2 400 in 1888, 1858
in 1885 and 1924 in 1887. For errors
checked against other employees the
number reported was 1851 ,534 in 1888,
1,742, $40 in 1885 and 2,873, $40 in 1887.
With regard to the errors by post
masters, the incorrect slips were 236, 1914.
with 4S9,S79 errors, in 1885, 2l5,352
slips, with Ais 400 errors. in 1885, and
341, 712 Slips with $3.50, O34 errors, in 1887
The "missent" letter packages, pouches
and sacks were 2, 723 In 1883, 2,543 in
1885 and 4,27S in 1887. Surely this is
not "a degree Of accuracy never reached
before"
OF the total number Of piece of mail
matter handled by postal clerks there
was one error to every 4 1853 pieces dur
ing the year ending June 30. 1888; one
error to every 5 574 pieces during the
year ending June 30, 1885, and one error
to every 1878 pieces during the year
ending June 80, 1887, A decrease of
more than 25 per cent. in errors and a
corresponding increase OF efficiency
from 1888 to 1885, during the last two
years Of Republican administration, and
an increase Of nearly 40 per cent. in
errors and proportionate decrease of
efficiency from 1885 to 1887. during the
first two years Of Democratic admins
tration.
These are facts worth studying at this
time. IL shows the importance of a
well equipped man as Postmaster Gen
eral. 1t likewise demonstrates the nee
essity of introducing business methods
into the Postoffice Department.-Ne0
York Press.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
STYLISH NEW DRESS FABRICS AT
FREAR'S.
They Greatly Surpass the Products of Other
Seasons.-Display Choice Colors and
Grades The Prices Cannot be Equalled

They Greatly Surpass the Products of Other
Seasons.-DispIay Choice Colors and
Grades The Prices Cannot be Equalled
Two hundred pieces of the best make
of extra fine and extra wide Scotch
Chambray in select styles for children,
misses and ladies, are sold by VIM. II
Frear for 25 cents yard. He guaran-
tees them equal to any three shilling
goods in the market.
Sixty eight pieces of double-fold pure
Silk and Wool Venetian Melanges, in
new and pretty effects, are marked "a
cents yard, worth 60 cents.
Double-fold all-wool Diagonal Welts
in beige, tan and mode shades, carried
from last sea on are reduced from IS
cents to 30 cents yard. Eight yards
make full dress pattern and will cost
you but $2.32.
Forty pieces of double-fold 75-cent all
wool Black Surah are sold at $3.50 for
nine yards.
Sixty pieces of 40-cent lace stripe
French Zephyr Bingham in the choicest
shades are made leader by marking
them 80 cents a yard.
Until March 10th VIM. II. Frear will
sell nine yards of ten shilling Silk-Warp.
black Henrietta Cloth, for 1915. But
one dress sent to each customer.
Ten yards of double-fold all-wool
black Panama Cloth, which cost So cents
to import, will be sent to your address
upon receipt of 1915. This is a splen-
did fabric and one which every lady will
appreciate.
Special lines of cream and white Silk
Lustre Mohair Pongee for bridal, even
ing and graduating costumes. Send for
samples to FREAR's Troy BAZAAR.
Troy, n. Y.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
E. d. YELLING,
|. E. GIBSON, Auditors.
K. B. DALEY,

The above concise report of the aud.
itors, shows in compact form the con
dition of the town finances for the year
ending Feb. LIST. The published report
oftown officers in pamphlet form, issued
yesterday, give in detail the transac-
tions which are summarized by the aud
itors above. 1t will be seen that
while the funded debt of the town has
been paid, with all accrued interest, to
the amount of $4,000, yet there has been
a decrease in cash on hand and resour-
ces so that the net decrease of debt is
S4976.27. This is fully accounted for In
the report of the selectmen and is at
tributable to a decrease of tax "a six
teen cents, with increasing expenses
owing to the great storms of last year
and the subsequent wash-outs. etc. This
apparent decrease of resources was
further reduced by abatement of taxes.
Taxes long carried on the rolls but most
of which was as worthless as valid as
sets one year ago as now. With these
explanations the reader is prepared to
digest the favorable showing the audit
ors nuke, and commends the executive
ability of the town fathers.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
THE BENNINGTON POSTOFFICE.

The State press have published items
of interest concerning most of the larger
offices in Vermont, that Is, Rutland,
Brattleboro, ST. Johnsbury, st. Adams.
Burlington, Montpelier and others. And
this extends as well to the creditabl-
showing as il does to the office fixtures,
etc. In the light of this we submit
few facts ard figures about our post
Office here. 10 April 1887 the gross
revenue WAS between S., 900 and 50, 900
annually; the salary was $l700 and 5000
was allowed for clerk hire flee, II ird
class.
The report of the Postmaster General,
Just issued. shows the following figures !:
Gross revenue s., 49l Of; sal ry. $4,000 /;
allowances for clerk hire, rent, lights
and fuel $500.
The percentage of expenses to gross
receipts is "a. This il the smallest per-
centage of any p1stoffice in the State
and none come anywhere near it except
Bellows FalIs, which is 30 per cent. And
there are but two others in the whole
United States which show as low ratio.
The percentage at Brattleboro is 40;
Burlington located in a government
building) 30; Montpelier SO; Rutland
(al in government building) "a; S..
Adams, 40; st Juhnsbury 3S. Brad
ford is the highest at so per cent.
In addition, in the Bennington Office
has been placed an outfit at ID cost OF
So 400; there are now $50 lock boxes in
use as against 95 IN April 1887. and AZ
mails are received and despatched each
day. The Sunday mails have been es-
tablIshed, the Office is open daily and on
Sundays; in add ion, the eve ing mails
outgo ng make close connection with
the Sonth and West. The time of clos
ing the late daily mails has been TX end
ed from Z 40 to 8 o'clock p. m.
With the rails ng of the office 10 sCcol d
class the money order and registered let
ter departments, together with general
delivery and stamp depsr ments are
kept open continuously To the z, eat con
venience Of the people. and they would
hardly consent 10 return to the old order
Of things. Tie addition of the lock
boxes, which, though a. a large expense,
have proved so convenient owing to the
open front doors on Sundays as well as
on week days until and 10 o'clock at
night, all this has probably done more
to raise the Office in the estimation of
the people than any other one agency.
The Government has just closed a
lease with Mrs. John FL. Norton, the
owner Of the building, for a term of
years, and the papers were received by
hei on Tuesday of this week.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
A Souvenir of Harrlson,s Inauguration.

NEW YORK, Feb. 2s.-Every Repub.
lican recognizes the immense influence
of The NeiC York Press in the recent ma
tional election, and it seems fitting that
it should contain the best report of Har-
rison's Inauguration. This it has pre-
pared to do, and on March 4th and 5th
The Press will be an eight page paper
for one cent and contain the most graph
ic and most interesting reports, written
by Joseph Howard, Jr of the inaugural
festivities and ceremonies.
The Press has the largest circulation
of any Republican paper in America and
is bound to celebrate thus great event in
a proper newspaper manner. 1t will be
well to order The Press of the newsdeal.
er in advance, as its sales on these days
will be immense.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
New Carpets.

CIV. S. Quackenbush & Co.'s spring
stock is now in, comprising the latest
styles in Bigelow administers and body
brussels, Lowell body brussels and ex-
ira superfine ingram, Hartford moquet-
ties, body brussels, extra 3-ply and extra
superfine ingram, RoXbury and Smiths
Sons extra and medium qualities tapes
try brussels, with other popular makers
goods of the above kinds of carpets.
Also our stock of China mattings, some
so different styles and patterns. Royal
Smyrna carpes, rugs and mats, limo
leum and oil clo'h floor coverings. Sc
lect now. Carpets made up and stored
without charge till wan ed. Prices very
low this season. Largest stock we ever
offered. G. V. S. Quackenbush & Co.,
corner Broadway and Third street,
Troy, n. Y.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
Ayers SarsapariIIa.

furnishing the music. The managers
have issued elegant invitations and the
occasion is intended to be the social
event of the season.
Patsey Mahar, who has been in North
Adams for the last four years, has been
on visit to his parents. His brother,
who had 80 severe run of typhoid fever
last fall, has not yet been out, but is
about the house and slowly recovering.
Thomas Robinson and VIM. Hurley ,as
committee of arrangements, have issued
invitation for grand social ball to be
held in Bank Hall, Monday evening,
March 4th. No Loubt there will a nice
company present.
The pulpit of the Congregational
Church, will be supplied from Williams
town, Macs, next Sabbath.
Miss Bernice Mckay from Albany, N.
Y, spent last Sabbath with Miss Bessie
MoshItr.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
Fncts are stnhhnrn rhinrs.

And it is an undisputed fact that we
are hearing and reading every day OF
sudden deaths from ApopleXy and Heart
Disease. Your friend or acquaintance
has been stricken dead or left in par
alyzed condition when supposed to be
in the height of strength and vigor
Anti Apoplectine will prevent Apoplexy
and cures Paralysis. Procure a bottle
from your druggist or send to DR.. F. S.
Hutchinson & Co., of Enosburgh Falls,
VT, for circulars.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
REBEL PRISON RECORDS.

Below we give an historic paper, or
document, which is fac Simile as near
as type can make it, ola Libby prison
return. The blank space after Major =
in the last column, signifies that the
name is obliterated. We were not able
to make it out under a glass. The orig
inal of this came into the hands of the
Rev. John S. Michaud. through the set
Element of an estate, and has by him
been placed in an elegant frame for pre-
sentation to the Vermont Soldiers
Home. This is thoughtful disposition
OF this relic of the war, and one the vet
Grams will appreciate. We subjoin the
aa fOllnUa
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28

sB-The Ministries held high carnival
last night. Fun, music, and the clever
specialties as presented by this company
amused the large audience that greeted
them. There's dash and go to the en-
tertainment that keeps the interest of the
spectator aroused from first to last.
The singing, the dancing, the intricate
marches, the music costumes. ETC., are
superior in every respect. The CON-
pany is very strong unsteady, and much
of their success is due to this fact. The
fun is pure and wholesome, and if we
were to prescribe for person with the
blues we should send him to Field &
Co. S minstrels.-F. Wayne (Ind) Ga
zette. This company appear in Library
Hall, March 5th, 1889.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28

One of the incidents in Mr. Cleveland S
Administration which he and his fellow
couutrymen will be gratified to recall
occurred Friday, when he signed the
bill opening the way for the admission
of four Territories to the Union. This
was done in fat opposition to the wishes
of the most influential section OF his
party-the section whose desires in other
matters Mr.. Cleveland has all along
obediently complied with. The Presi-
dent has thus exhibited an independence
of Bourbon Gictation which is as refresh
ing as it is unusual, and has acted with
regard to the best interest Of the whole
country rather than to the prejudices of
hiss favorite faction.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
SPECIAL BUSINESS LOCALS.

ESome of the advantages of insuring
in the New England Mutual Life Insur-
ance Company of Boston. Mass, are
that it issues plain and simple policy,
which is non-forfetable for non pay
ment of premiums after the second 4;
makes an annual cash distribution OF
surplus on all policies, and pays all
claims promptly. See annual statement
published in another column.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
General Harrison's wonderful Hat.

General Harrison will shortly be in
possession of'a hat much more wonder
ful than even the wonderful hat OF bis
grandfather. II will come from w. j.
AIkell Of Judge. Mr.. Arkell bet a hat
with Russell Harrison, before the cleo.
ton, that Indiana wouldn't go RepubIi-
can. Mr.. Arkell lost, but, instead of
paying young Mr.. Harrison, he is going
to pay his father, Knox. the hat man,
will express this afternoon an article of
headgear that is a thing Of beauty. It
is an opera hat. Its size is III. On the
inside, up in the corner, there are pic.
lures Of General Harrison, NJ. Morton
and the Judge, done by Judge artists.
Then up near the brim are lot of birds,
with their mouths open, looking Just as
II they were tickled to death because
General Harrison is going to be Presi-
Gent. Captain Jack Zimmerman. a war
veteran, made the hat, Miss Mamie Nc
Farlaud, whose father was in the war,
trimmed it.-NeiC York Press.
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
The Banner.
BENNINGTON. VERMONT
Thursday Afternoon, Feb. 2S, 1889.

Oar Democratic contemporaries are
not conteuted with denouncing Gen.
Harrison's Cabinet appointments before
they re made but are chITgi lg RePubli
c n journals with timidi y for not d lnG
the same. 1t will be time enough 10 ex'
press an opinion upon President Harri-
sons official advisers when we know
certainly who theyare,
The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-02-28
W0OnGnrh.

Hiram Haskell from Wilmington, one
of Woodford's old school teachers, was
in town the past week.
Twenty-one below gro: in the east
part Of the town 1t was 30 below.
Elmer Gleason cut his foot quite
badly one day last week.
Mrs. O'Brien from Searsburgh,i is visit.
ing at VIM. E Cutters.
Clara Gleason is on the sick list.