The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-03-21

the county Jail, a part of the trial was held
there. Gabree was adiudged guilty and his
case was appealed to county court by j. G.
Wing, his counsel Bail was fixed at S10O
which the respondent was unable to raise
Later Gabree waived his appeal and was
sentenced to the house of correction for
sixty days, and a fine of $50.
The Good Templars entertained the mem
bers of the Kelley League in very pleas
ant way last Wednesday evening at the Re-
lief Corps rooms. Brief remarks were made
by Lewis Wood, j. G.. Wing, Rev. ]. Ed
Watson. Other enjoyable features of the
programme were singing by the lodge
quartette; reading, Miss Flora Robinson;
recitation, Miss Annie Mayo; violin solo
Master Fred Whittier; song Bruce Nc
Donald banjo solo, Master Arthur Dewey;
and duet by Fred Keegan and Susie
Stesrns Refreshments were served, and
good time generally was enjoyed.
CHRIST CHURCH was crowded to its full
capacity last Thursday evening when Bishop
Hall delivered the last of series of Lenten
lectures on the example set us by the Sa-
viOr in various phases of his earthly career.
The bishops theme on this occasion was
the example shown by Jesus Christ in the
treatment of his enemies. Five points were
eloquently elaborated, namey-he forgave
the greatest wrongs he forgave at the time
the wrong was committed: he showed his
and freely, and he regarded the injury they
did themselves rather than the wrong done
to him. Bishop Hall closed his earnest,
stirring address by impressing the thought
that If we obtain pardon for our sins, we,
too, must have forgiving spirit.
COMMENTING on the preliminary steps
taken last week at the annual village
meeting to consolidate the town and village
governments, the st. Johnsbury Cdledontdn
says: " Well Well Our capital town
has ambitions. Montpelier wants to be
metropolis, and has taken the first step
toward consolidating the town and village
into city government. To be sure, Mont
pelier lacks horse cars and some other dis
tinctively metropolitan features. But she
would make hustling little city; and then
by and by when she reaches out and alb
serbs Barrel What CATCH Success to the
would.be fourth city of Vermont The
Windsor Journal says And now Mont
pelier wants to be a city in fact, as well as
in name. Well, il suburban towns like
Burlington have attained to the dignity of
city government why shouldn't the capital
of the state be ruled by a mayor and board
of aldermen rather than by president and
board of trustees? The next legislature
will probably be called upon to answer the
question. But after Montpelier, what next?
Brattleboro or st. Johnsbury? Or will that
other st. on Lake Champlain show her heels
to her rivals?" The Free Press says:
"Montpelier's desire to become a city is IA
vorably received throughout the state,
judging from press comments, and it is pre-
dcted that the hamlet will become a
bustling city and finally absorb Barre
many cities, and Montpelier and Barre
should get together as rapidly as pos
sible."
MRS. ELIZABETH B. CUSTER, who lectures
at Blanchard opera house next Wednesday
evening, has written Mrs. E. p. Walton
that she does not feel equal to the fatigue
incident to public reception, but that she
will be glad to meet any who desire to be
introduced to her at the opera house at the
close OF the lecture. The interest in Mrs.
| Clusters appearance here is not confined to
Montpelier people, but it is probable that
several surrounding towns will be repre-
sented at the lecture by good-sized delegs-
tions. When Mrs Custer first visited Chi.
cago for the purpose of giving informal
| readings, the Tribune OF that city gave her
the following pleasant advance notice:
One bit of good news is that Mrs. Custer,
| the widow of General Custer, and the
author of Boots and Saddles is soon
coming to Chicago on a visit. She will
! give informal lectures, describing life on
the plains, at two or three private houses,
when tickets will be only through invita-
tion, and possibly few lectures in some
public hall, Mrs Clusters wide and deep
experience of life, her charm of manner and
her devotion to the work Of bread winning
women, have won for her warm place in
the regard of all who know her" Those
who have read " Boots and Saddles" the
book that brought Mrs. Custer into fame as
an author at bound, will remember that
she ends the work with description of the
battle OF the Little Big Horn, where her
husband lost his life, closing the last chap
ter with these pathetic words: From that
| hour the light went out from the lives OF
the women who weep, and God asked us
| m Ua n IA haH Tn
the after-ight of nearly twenty years that
shadow must be frightened somewhat by
the appreciative approval of her written
works from those whose opinions she
prizes most, and by the great audiences
that gather to listen to her wherever she
appears on the lecture platform.
WHETHER or not a new municipality shall
take the place of the existing clumsy and
! complicated fabric, this village must very
soon face the necessity of providing suit
able building for public purposes-for town
and village offices and meetings. 1t is con-
ceded that any further expenditure on
Capital Hall would be waste of money
There is left only badly demoralized bung-
hole as the nucleus of repairs. The village
is now the owner OF large and favorably-
situated lot on South Main street. 1t has
been suggested that the property on State
street be sold and the proceeds applied to
the erection of suitable municipal build
ing on the South Main street lot, and the
suggestion is worthy of very earnest con.
sideration. In support of this proposition
it is shown that the village is paying an
nually considerable sum in rents for po'
lice, water superintendent and town clerk s
offices, and for various other purposes
which would be saved and which would
Offset the interest on considerable part OF
the cost of new hall. The town and vii
lage needs an official headquarters, a build.
ing in which they may have their offices, in
which there may he rooms for the official
| boards to meet. Under existing condi-
tions, the police station and water superin.
tendent occupy second-story room on
State street; the town clerk is at the court
house, the selectmen, the trustees, the treas
urer, the listers, and the school board are,
as general thing. provided with offices or
places Of meeting by the individual official
or by him who is clothed with the honors OF
craftsmanship. The town and village are
sponging rent, light and fuel out of their
servants. 1t is further suggested that
under more rational and businesslike
plan of municipal administration, the office
of town clerk and treasurer-town and vii
lage-be united in the same person. that
the duties of these offices combined would
afford employment for one man, and the re.
muneration would be sufficient to command
the services of competent man. These
| and some related matters will demand the