The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-11-01
A Splendid Endorsement by Business
and PROBES SiOnal Men.
Montpelier Is Proud of the
Institution in Her Midst.
Testimony of Some Graduates
a Symposium of More Than
Usual interest.

mont was established in Montpelier, fifteen
months ago, while the WATCHMAN had no
desire to throw any obstacles in The way OF
its success, 1t was cautious about giving
then uutried experiment in this state It's
cordial approval. The clergymen of the
town. and the prominent business and pro.
fessiuual men, as a rule, looked upon the
Institute with more or less suspicion that it
was not what it professed to be; and while
they hoped that it. would do all, and more
than it was advertised to do, the ina jprity of
the citizens of Montpelier had little faith
that IL would stand the test OF time.
The more than year and half OF the life
of the Kelley Institute in Montpelier has
wrought decided change in the views OF
the candid men of the town, and the idea
suggested itself to representative OF this
paper that it might be interesting to get an
expression from several men well known in
various branches Of business and the pro-
fessions. with the testimony OF several of
the graduates, and weave them into a SYM
postum for publication.
If the WATCHMAN circulated only in
Montpelier aud its immediate vicinity, this
article would be uncalled for. The work
the Keeley cure has already wrought at the
capital of rhe state, and the direct evidence
of its beneficial effects, are too apparent to
need elaboration in print. But for the
benefit of the wide area of readers of the
wATcHMAN outside its own home, and
partly in answer to numerous questions
that are often asked in good faith from in
terested people in other localities, has this
screed been prepared.
The work of obtaining the material has
been indeed pleasant task With the mat
ter in hand this story must necessarily far
exceed the space limit that was at first in
tended but the responses to the enquiries OF
the reporter have been so hearty, and, while
they have without exception endorsed the
Kelley Institute and It's work, they have at
the same time expressed such variety Of
opinions on the subject, it is source OF re-
greet that every mans answer to the ques-
lions of The newspaper man cannot be given
In full Only one man who was approached
on the subject refused to talk for publica-
ton, and he is known to be one of the
stannchest believers in the good work the
Institute has accomplished in Montpelier.
His native modesty, however, rebelled
against being "interviewed and seeing
his views in cold type. To be sure, only
comparatively small number Of prominent
citizens of Montpelier have been asked to
express their views on this subject. Space
would not permit. But it is believed that
the expressed sentiments contained in this
article fairly voice the sentiment Of the
whole community, and that expressions
similar to those that follow might be OBJ
tanned from Scores and even hundreds,
whose ideas on this subject it would be
pleasure TO publish could it be done within
reasonable limits.
Homer W. HeatOn, president OF the Mont
pelier Savings Bank and Trust Company,
and the oldest member OF Washington
County Bar, was the first person on whom
the reporter called. In reply to the ques-
tons as to what he thought Of the Kelley
Institute, and whether it has been a benefit
to the town, Mr.. Heaton said: II have no
personal knowledge to express OF the work
the Institute is doing, bnt am glad to give
you my private opinion. am sure 1t has
done wonderful work in Montpelier. 1t
has benefited not only individuals but the
community and the state at large While
would use no extravagant expressions, /
am sure the Institute is doing good work
This treatment has brought a class of bright
Intelligent young men from Incorporate
habits to the positions of usefulness they
are so well fitted to fill. The Institute de-
serves to be encouraged in every possible
wav."
Colonel Fred e. Smith received the re-
porter cordially, and paused amid busy
prepare ions for a western trip to say: 1t
seems to me that the effect Of the treatment
at our Keeley Institute is most wonderful"
"Do you think it is any benefit to the
town. Colonel, to have such an institution
here?" qneried the newspaper man.
" 1t has always occurred TO me- said
Colonel Smith, "as l go up and down the
streets Of Montpelier and see from thirty to
fifty men whom | know, looking so bright
and intelligent, who formerly looked diff
ferently, that the Keelev Institute is doing
wonderful work for the town; not only are
these men directly benefited, but incident
ally the whole community as well. The
success OF the Institute in Montpelier has
been great surprise to me. have watched
it from the first, and when / see the evil
dencPs of the real worth of the treatment
am clad to say that | do think it is one of
the grandest things of this age"
' Rev. G. S Smith, editor of the Vermont
Chronicle, said: You are at liberty to
quote me az saying that believe the Keeley
Institute has done a wonderful work in
Montpelier. / believe in it thoroughly, and
the town shows the good effects of the
work it has wrought"
Rev. G o. Webster the rising Young pas
tor of the Baptist church, was very willing
to express his views on the subject. Re.
plying 10 the questions of the reporter, he
said: " am sure the Keelev Institute has
proved great blessing 10 Montpelier. Sc
far as have personal knowledge concern
ing the treatment from the testimony of
graduates and an acquaintance with many
who have been successfully treated for the
disease. I am fully persuaded that the
treatment, faithfully taken, entirely re
moves the appetite for stimulants, and tina
without injury to the nervous system"
"Its one Of the best things that eve
came to this town." said A. o Cummins o
the well-knOwn leather firm Of Peck <
Cummins. sit has helped everything bu
the rumselling business; it has hurt that
The only trouble is that not enough people
avail themselves OF its benefits. | hav,
been happily disappointed in the work th
Institute has done in Montpelier. Som
go hack to drink, 10 br sure, hut the per
centage is small; as small, perhaps, as il
the churches, or in the Masonic order, O
those who are not faithful to their vows"
talk with Clarence S. Whittier, O
Whittiers meat and provision maTke
showed that, while he realized the mora
benefit the Institute has been 10 the town
he also looked at the subject from the stand
point OF a keen.sighted business man. +"
consider the Kelley Institute" said MI
Whittier " one Of the greatest blessing
ever conferred on man. 1t not only re
stores health and manhood TO the one VIII
takes the treatment, hut the Institute a
Montpelier is a direct benefit to business
enabling those who could not pay thei
bills TO do so. Keeley graduates, who use
TO buy liver or a shank now carry HON
sirloin steak. I would advise any ma