Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-10-16


being appointed.
The arrangements for Ladies' Week
are now nearly completed and point to n
social occasion which will bring together
many of the ladies from all parts of the
State.
The season proper begins tomorrow
evening, with reception given at the
State House by the wives and lady
friends of the State officers and members
of the Legislature. On Wednesday even
ing, the goung people give a dancing
party, at which large numbers of young
people from Burlington, st. Albans, Rut-
land, and other large places in the State
are expected. The entire week is vir
tually given up to various festivities,
which often encoach somewhat upon the
business of legislation.
On Wednesday evening also occurs
the annual reunion of Vermont officers,
with an address in the Representatives
Hall, followed with banquet at the Pa
villion. These gatherings are always
larger attended in the years when the
Legislature is in session than others,
and this year there is greater number
expected than usual.
Considerable disappointment is ex-
pressed that Gen. Horace Porter of New
York, could not be present and deliver
the annual address, but those who have
heard Farmer Josiah Grout of New
port, are expecting something good from
| him.
The bill introduced into the Legisla-
ture last week by Mr. Pier of Jamaica,
exempts from the operation of the Ans
tralian ballot act all towns in Vermont
of less than 1000 population. The
measure is popular one, and, as large
majority of the House, and a working
majority in the Senate come from towns
whose population is less than that fig
ure, and as the Australian ballot has
never been regarded as a success in these
towns, it may be set down, therefore,
that the bill introduced may become
law during this session.
G. o. Barrett, the Montpelier soap
manufacturer, was at Wellington, Mass,
last week, attending the shooting tourna-
ment given by the Wellington County
Club. Mr.. Barrett enjoys the distinc-
tion of being the best wing shot in the
United States, he having won that honor
last year at Chicago in series of match
es arranged by crack shots from differ
ent parts of the country.
A study of the legislative manuel de-
velops some interesting facts, among
them being the following:
The combined ages of the Senators
make 1 1,547 years, or an average age of
81! years for the 80 members.
The Oldest member is 70 years of age,
and the youngest 30 years.
The Senators from Bennington and
Rutland counties have the lowest aver
age age, or 43 years.
The age qualification for Senators in
| Vermont is 30 years.
There are in the Senate five members
who are between 80 and 40 years of age,
seven between 40 and so, ten between 80
and 60, seven between 60 and 70, and one
between 70 and so.
| The House of Representatives, being
, the popular body, naturally uses the
young men a little better.
The combined ages of the Representa-
tives make II, ,t23 years, or an average
age of 4S1 years, three years younger
than the average in the Senate.
The average of the Bennington county
members is AZ years, the oldest being Il
and the youngest 49,
The House being divided in politics,
affords an opportunity for observing
the relative positions of the Republicans
and Democrats on the young man issue.
The oldest Republican is 76 years of
age, and the youngest 25.
The Oldest Democrat is So years of age
| and the youngest 30
The Jerage age for the Republicans is
A years, and for the Democrats 43t
years.
The Democrats sent FIVE men between
30 and 40 years of age, two between 40
and 80, and three between so and 60.
The same conditions hold good in the
Executive Department. The average
age of the State officers is 40 years. The
youngest is is Frank E. Alfred, judge ad-
vOcate-general, 81 years; and the oldest,
Truman G. 'Phinney, sergeant-at-arms,
81.
Gov. Woodbury. is Sc, and. with one
exception, is the oldest man who hls
been inaugurated governor of this State
since 1874. The exception is Gov. Hor-
ace Fairbanks, who was also SO when in
augurated.
Bennington county has every reason
to be satisfied with the personnel of its
Senators and Representatives at this ses-
sion. In the higher branch Mr.. Barber
of Arlington, is conceded by all to be
one of its ablest members. AS del at
er he is known as one of the bright est
and most polished speakers in that body.
Senator Gibson has come to be known
already as one of the Senate's best work
ers and with an eye to the best interests
of his town and county. Representative
Bingham by his large acquaintance
through the State, has been able to make
his presence known, and the Committee
on Manufactures, of which he is chair
man, could not have had better head.
Mr.. Orvis of Manchester, Eaton of Ar
lington, Bowles of Woodford, who is one
of the minority, are all classed as
thorough business men, and as a whole,
the county has never been stronger rep
resented.
The Military Committees from the two
Houses are already looking forward
with much pleasure to their visit to the
Soldiers Home. 1t is probable that
some of the members of the Legislature
who are not down on the committees
will also 90 with them. There is a gen.
eral feeling among the members that the
Home is credit to the State, and that it
should be properly maintained. Thus
far during the session l have heard no
thing but words of praise in regard to it,
and if 1 can accompany the party when
it goes, you need not be surprised to see
me enter the BANNER sanctum. Visits
to your town were always pleasure to
me, and always anxious to be repeated.
NJ.