St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1890-05-22
ANNEXATION.
SuumervfIIe Votes to BE Annexed to
the Village of ST. Johnsbury.

L ne voters Oh SUMMERTIME I1eI dU
| the school house in that place last
Saturday afternoon to vote on the
bury village. At 10 minutes past 2
George Ward called the meeting to
order and L. B. Heald and F. w.
Powers, hoth anti-annexationist
| were elected moderator and clerk re-
spectively. Mr.. Heald stated the OBJ
| ject of the meeting, read the warning
and quoted the law governing an
| nexations 1t was then moved that
the question be laid on the table,
which was carried. A motion to ad-
| lourn was then made and carried and
the meeting was at an end.
But the question was not settled.
Many hung around as if waiting for
something while a few went home.
About 2.45 the leaders on the other
side and the commissioners arrived.
Hon p K Gleed, chairman of the
board of commissioners, called the
meeting to order again, stated the
purpose of the meeting and read the
law relating to the subject. That all
their actions might be legal, he called
upon Mr. Heald, who had the warn
ing, for that paper in order that it
might be read in the presence of all.
Mr. Heald, after some minutes of
whispered consultation with others,
declared that the meeting, to which
the warrant referred had been held
and adjourned, and that the present
meeting was illegal since no warning
to the voters had been posted. In a
word, he absolutely refused to give
up the warrant.
Mr.. Gleed stated that his inter
probation of the law authorized the
commissioners to preside over the
meeting and be judges of the election,
and with that understanding they
had appeared to perform their duties.
He then defined who were legal vot-
ers, after which all were given an op-
portunity to exercise that right. The
polls were kept open till night when
the votes were counted. One man
from each faction assisted the com
missioners in the count.
The whole number of votes cast
was 14S, of which each side had IA.
But the legality of several votes was
until Monday morning when they
met and threw out eight, leaving
the vote 73 to 81 in favor of annexa-
ton. The grand list stood $791 93
to SOL .OS, also i'll favor of annexa-
ton.
If there were no questions of legal
| ity in the meeting and the proceed
ings, this would settle the matter as
| far as Summerville is concerned, and
the voters of st. Johnsbury village
would be ready to vote on the ques-
ton; but there are questions that
will not easily be decided. Every act
| of the commissioners was character
lied by great fairness. This is con-
ceded by all. But in adjusting the
grand list they held that a majority
of the wealth represented by the
votes cast was just interpreted ton
of the law, whereas those opposed
to annexation, granting their first
meeting was illegal and riotous,
which they firmly deny, demanded
that a majority of all the wealth. in
the territory, whether represented
by vote or otherwise, should be re-
quired to constitute a majority.
Counting the women and non-resi-
dent property holders who were not
allowed to vote, this latter construc-
ton would make considerable differ
ence in the result.
This affair will doubtless cause con-
siderable hard feeling between the
two factions, as, indeed, it has al
ready. Those favoring annexation
declare that the attempt of the other
party to steal the meeting severely
hurt their cause, while those opposed
say they were acting under legal adj
vice and are satisfied that the only
reason for annexation is to get the
post office down on Railroad street
and that only three or four men are
deeply interested in the subject
These, they say, have land to sell OF
buildings to rent.
There is also considerable specula
tion as to whether the village will re
ceive them. Many have said that i
large majority had desired to be
annexed, they should vote to tax.
them. But with so small majority
both of votes and on the grand list
it seems unfair to force the rest into
this village against their will.
Others say that if the village vote:
favOrably Summerville people can re
fuse to pay their tax on the grounC
of illegal annexation, and the courts
will then have to settle it, In view
of all the conflicting interests in
volved and the question of the legal
ity of Saturdays voting it does no
seem as if the friends of annexation
had won great victory. Summer
vile may eventually be annexed to
the village of st. Johnsbury but i
still seems a good ways off.