The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-04-23
GOV. PAGE OF VERMONT WILL NOT
CALL THE LEGISLATURE TOGETHER.

GOV. PAGE OF VERMONT WILL MOI
CALL THE LEGISLATURE TOGETHER.
ST. ALBANs, VI, April l4th. There
will be no extra session of the vermont
Legislature this spring, as has been
plo loSed, for action ga ding
the acceptance by the State Uf the
amount of the direct tax money due from
the general government under the re-
funding act passed by Congress. The
amount af Vermonts share under this
act is $40, 600, but the payment of this
sum will probably be delayed some
months on account of claim pres nted
by the United States against this State
OF more than half million dollars for
guns and other equipments furnished to
arm the militia during the closing years
of the war for the Union. In view of
the presentation at this time of this
claim by the government Gov. Page
announces that no extra session will be
called. The Journal correspondent had
interviews to-day with Gov. Page and
State Auditor Powell concerning the
claim of the United States and the
counter claim which the State has
against the general government for cN-
penses incurred i'm organizing and main-
tanning the militia during the period in
question. The Governor and State Audi
tor assert that Vermont has just ard
equitable claim in offset to this charge
| of the general government, and that III
equity there is no money due the United
States for expenses incurred in orga'
nizing and maintaining the militia. Col
| Powell, auditor of accounts, is familiar
with the history of these claims, having
visited Washington several time to con
fer with the national authorities regard
Ing the matter. Gov. Page has had con
siderable c ,rrespondence on the subiect
since his accession to the governor
ship.
From their statements of the claims il
question the following facts are gathered
Shortly after the rebel raid on st. Alban
from Canada, which occurred Oct. 10Th
1864, Governor John Gregory Smith anC
Quarter master General Peiley p. Pitkil
went to Washington to confer with Pres
ident Lincold and Secretary of Wa
Stanton regarding the organization of ;
large force of militia for the defence o
the frontier. There We're grave appre
tensions felt by the State and natiOna
authorities of further attacks from Can
ada. and both President Lincoln an,
Gov. Smith realized the necessity for til
adoption of suitable preparation to pre-
vent and repel them.
: 1t was known to them that larg
= number of Southern refugees were col
/ gregated in Canada anxious to do all i
their power to aid the Southern caus
5 and to divert the forces of the Unto
5 from the seat of war. The presideT
l was aversc to withdrawing or weakenin
the Union armies engaged in crushiu
5 the Rebellion and. therefore, he requisite
D Governor Smith and General Pitkin
G take measures upon their return hon
5 to raise a division of u regiments I
militia for the defence of I'll
c frontier The measure was sanchone
r by Secretary Stanton, who subs
b. quently furnished through the WI
D Department the guns and other mlital
K equipments to arm the troops so Orga
. lied. The expense of arming the milit
{ was charged up to VermOnt's quota
i the General Government In the orga
t i2atiOn and maintenance of this force Il
= State of Vermont expended nearly tv
= hundred thouseud dollars. 1t is held
!, the State authorities that as the milit
i were organized for national defence Il
/. State is Justly entitled to be Teimburs,
o by the United States for this expenC
v ture. The militia were mustered o
+ soon after the war and the old gu
:. wtr1 stored in the State Arsenal
l. Montpelier for several years. Some tin
# between 1S70-12 these old guns were so
II to foreign Governments and sOmetlil
e like one hundred and sixty thousal
n dollars realized thercform, which sum
" turned into the State Treasury. T
$ State authorities maintain that t
If United States has no valid claim ov
r and above this amount. and that {
claim of the State for expenses incurr
in organizing the Twelfth Regiment
militia is a just effset to the Cover
ment claim, In 1886 the Vermont lie
V islature passed an act authorizing t
u Governor and Auditor of accounts
It claims between the United States Al
e this State with any officer or person WI
> should be duly authorized by act Of co
gress to act in behalf of the Unit
!. States. As no act of tbs character h
. passed Congress. the Vermont authO
u u ties have been unable to effect settI
= ment of these accounts.-BOStOn JOURt