Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-03-08


Now comes what had been generally con
sidered the critical point in the proceed
ings There had been rumors OF bitter
fight against the project of enlarging the
town house, and the 500 or 900 voters were
anticipating a general hurting of rhetorical
iavelins. The quiet of a Quaker meeting
reigned, however, while j. l.. Martin offer
ed two resolutions which were adopted, al
most without a dissenting vote. The reso-
buttons were as follows:
Resolred. That a committee of three be elected
to repair enlarge and improve the town house at
an expense not exceeding $4,000
Resoired, That the selectmen are hereby EN-
powered and directed TO borrow on the credit Of
the town sum Of money not exceeding $4,000
with which to repair, enlarge and improve the
town house and execute and issue the bonds of the
town therefor. and to make the same payable at
such times and amounts as they may deem advis
able provided that not less than $1,000 and inter
est shall be payable annually.
Mai. f. w. Chlds named as a commit
tee to carry out the work outlined in these
resolutions Gen. j. j. Estey, DIR. H. D.
Holton and Col. Geo. W. Hooker and they
were unanimously chosen.
Col. Haskins spoke of the need of fire
proof vault for protecting the town records
and papers and offered a resolution to the
effect that the seectmen be instructed to
build one at a cost not exceeding $500. +.
c. Crosby and Col. Hooker thought a vault
which would meet the demands of the
town in future years could not be built for
this sum, and the amount was increased to
$1,000, and the resolution unanimously
adopted.
The next article was in reference to the
exemption from taxation for five years of
Il. 4
featuring purposes by Holden IL Martin
Mr.. Martin said the town had so generously
adopted his town house resolutions it would
seem that all ought to take hold and pay
their taxes, and he felt like suggesting
that the article be dismissed. Gen. Estev
said such exemption had been extended to
others and there should be no discrimina-
ton. Col. Hooker moved that the prop
erty be exempted and spoke in favor of eX-
empton on the ground of encouraging local
industries and in the end furthering the
interests of the town. |. X. Allen said the
building was erected for investment and
not for a new industry and he did not see
why it should be exempted. j. G.. Stat
ford then spoke at length. quoting Mr..
Martins paper before the Professional club
to show that there was no Justice in such
discrimination. Mr. Stafford was loudly
applauded. A. c. Davenport moved for
dismissal for which the vote was unani-
nous. The article for the exemption of
Suffer Brothers manufacturing establish
ment and property was then dismissed on
motion of Z. c. Crosby. On motion of
Col Harmon SO was voted for Memorial
day. DR.. J. Conland, Rev. 2. Cunning
ham, and Rev. c. O. Day, the three trus-
tees of the BrattlebOro Free library whose
farF xr.ip a.,
three years on motion of Col. Haskins.
Col. Haskins moved that the appropriation
for the support and maintenance of the
Free library be $1,000, the same as hereto
fore, and the motion was carried
The question of tie salaries of the town
officers for the ensuing year brought out
the liveiest discussion of the day Col.
Hooker moved that they be the same as
last year j. G. Stafford then appeared as
the champion of retrenchment and advo-
Gated $50 for the first selectman as hereto
fore, but only SO each for the second and
third selectmen, and 50 a day each for
the listers and auditors instead of So. r.
E. Gordon thought capable listers and an
ditors could not be secured for 81. Col
Hooker thought the motion ought not 10
prevail, as the pay was only a trihe for the
labor the selectmen must put forth. \. c.
Davenport spoke in reference to the pay of
the selectmen being alike Mr.. Stafford
withdrew that part Of his motion relating
to the auditors and listers, but pressed the
point IN regard TO seectmen's salaries. and
made ever! body laugh by declaring his be-
lief that Col Hooker didn't know what
ii meant to come right down 10 rock hot
tom and work hard for an honest dollar
>, +. Sargent thought the listers ought TO
work for less D N =.
and suggested 30 cents an hour for their
pay. Mr.. Staffords motion in reference ia
so Tor the first and second selectmen was
put TO vote twice, but the chair was i'm
DOUBT both times. +. c. Crosby and Col.
H. T. Taylor then spoke in reference to
sluO each for these officials. Col. Haskins
declared that no matter what the price
there should be no distinction. bacanse
lhere was no rank among the three officials.
all being equally responsible. p. s. Chase
rose to point of order, but Mr.. Martin
replied that the town meeting was n law
unto itself Col. Taylor Withdrew his
amendment. Mr.. Statfords motion was
then voted down and Col. Rockers orioi-
nal motion prevailed 1t was voted to eX-
empt from taxation the polls of the West
ern Engine company No. l of West Brat
tleboro.
L. - CrosDy moved that the article i'm
reference TO buying teams for the use of the
town be dismissed. Col Harmon said the
village paid 500 for the use OF the horses
kept IN the engine house nights. The
town might just as. well have this 500 and
there was plenty of work for teams To do.
u j. Pratt thought we should have two
teams at least. Mr.. Eames gave figures
showing the great saving Keene and Hins-
aale nave made by owning their own teams.
a. - DaVenport's motion that two teams
DC bought Tor the use of the road commits
Sloner was carried after reference had been
made to the plan having been tried hefora
and not found successful: to which Mr.
Martin replied that that was before the
was adopted. 7"""SS
J. Article ~ was to see if the town school
llsVrlct would vote to instruct the treasurer
20 pay the tuition remaining unpaid of
puplls VINO attended the High school in the
Incorporated district in 1898 and 1901
1hiy three pupils were affected. Resi-.
tents OF the town district alone voted and
aIter some discussion the article was dis
missed. was us
Article / was "to see if the town dis
Iict would vote to pay tuition of sucb
~! Oh SAID district as hereafter attend
ne iilgh school in the incorporated district
u the academy at West Brattleboro and
instruct the schoolglirectors to draw orders
OF Ihe same" Dr. C. S. Clark said thai
ne law covered the ground i'm this casaond
10 inol,oIi mat the matter be left with the
chool directors was carried '''e
Finally tho A