Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-10-26
LEGISLATIVE commIttees, vIsIt.

The joint-committee of the Legislature
arrived here at 1 10 p. m, to-day, for the
purpose of inspecting the Soldiers
Home, and arriving at some conclusion
as TO what amount should be appropri-
ated for the support of the institution
for the next two years. The committee
is composed of Frank Kenfield, Norris
vile; L. G. Stevens, Richford; l. E.
Gibson, Bennington, on the part of the
Senate, and Messrs. Weston, Newfane !;
Parker, Vergennes; Norton, Charles
town; Chase, Bradford; Bridgeman,
Hardwick; Ralph, West Windsor; Lee,
Benson, all of whom were present.
The party left Montpelier early this
morning by special train reaching Essex
Junction IN time to connect with the
train arriving here at 10 p. m.
Accompanying the committee were
about fifty members of the Legislature,
many of whom had never been here be-
fore. Among them were: Messrs. Stew
ems of Colchester, Wilson of Lyndon,
who with Messrs. Kenfield and Chase are
members of the railroad committee, who
came down to make some Investigations,
upon the various applications for cleo
trio railroad charters that have been APP
( piled for.
In addition to the above we noticed
among the party, Quartermaster General
Gilmore, Col. G. G. Kinsman. Col. Geo.
I. Childs and President Hugh Henry of
|the trustees of the Soldiers Home, and
quite number of leading members of
the Legislature.
Upon arrival here the car containing
the party was switched to the entrance
to the Home grounds, and as soon as all
had arrival Of Hnpnn lnnph
served. Awaiting them was a large del
egation of citizens of the village. After
lunch thorough inspection of the Home
was made, and the general opinion ex-
pressed by those present was that the
appropriation asked for, $4,000 from the
State, was none too large and the commit
tee will recommend the same. The COM
mlttee all expressed themselves as being
heartily in favor of it,
After the Home had been inspected,
the members of the railroad committee
were taken in carriages and conveyed
over the proposed route of the electric
railroad between here and Walloomsac
and between here and WoodfOrd, there
being bills before the Legislature to in
corporate two different companies to run
between here and Woodford. Both
routes were thoroughly gone over and
the places where the grades crossings on
the line to connect with the HoOsick
Falls road at Walloomsac, were closely
scrutinized, one grade crossing would be
at what is known as the Soldiers Home
crossing and the other probably near the
railroad station at North Bennington. 1t
is understood from the members of the
railroad committee, that the principal
objections advanced by the Bennington
and Rutland railway are, that the grade
crossings would necessitate the stopping
of every train, before they could be
crossed, The members of the railroad
committee being here in the capacity of
individuals looking for information,
would not express any opinion as to
their views upon the subject.
At 3 p. M, a special car that was in
readiness took all those who wished to
go, to the Monument. This courtesy
was appreciated by those who went.
At $50, lunch was again served at the
Home, and the majority of the party
went North on the 6.10 p. m. train, all
apparently well pleased with their trip,
what they had seen, and their reception
at the Home and by the people of Ben
nington, and convinced that the Soldiers
Home is an institution of which all Yer
monters ought to feel proud.