St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-03-08
THE MARCH MEETING.
Largely Attended and Important
Catherine.

VI the tOWn, total OF $40 votes De-
ing cast for town officers. The in
terest centered in the election Of FIVE
town officers, moderator, tax collec-
tor, town agent, road commissioner
and school director. The latter was
voted for on a separate ballot and
those who voted for William S. Boyn-
ton used stickers. Those voting for
Mr.. Sulloway for town agent also
used stickers.
Alexander Dunnett as moderator
called the meeting to order at 9
o'clock and declared the polls open.
George w. Cree, w. W. Sprague, Carl
M. Spencer and H. c. Bond acted as
ballot clerks and the baloting lasted
until 2 O'Clock. At this hour the box
was turned and the other articles in
the warning taken up.
The first article was in relation to
raising the tax on the grand list.
Treasurer Blodgett said that it would
be necessary to raise 40 cents on the
dollar to pay the fixed sums that fall
due next year. Daniel Carpenter said
an additional tax of SO cents on the
dollar would have to be raised to
pay for the running expenses of the
town. This would make the tax 80
cents on the dollar, as against 95
cents last year. 1t was voted to raise
tax OF 80 cents on the dollar.
On motion of DR.. Billiard, the town
appropriated $3.50 for the proper OBJ.
servance of Memorial day, the same
sum as has usually been given for this
occasion.
The article providing for the in.
struction of town pupils at the Acad-
emy was disposed of by leaving the
whole matter in the hands of the
school directors. John Mcdonald
wanted those who believed in nom
sectarian schools to practice what
they preached in voting upon this
article.
Article 5 was IN relation to helping
the St. Johnsbury Centre fire district
by special appropriation. J. R.
Stevens mounted thetable and stated
briefly the condition of things at the
Centre. He said they had suffered
severely from fire in the past, and to
prevent a similar conhagration had
purchased hand fire engine, ladders
and hose, and taxed the residents of
the district % cents on the dollar.
They now wanted 5000 to build
house to store the engine and other
property. On motion of Col. T. c.
Fletcher 5000 was voted for this
purpose.
Article 6 to exempt the ST. Johns
bury Creamery from taxation for a
period of years, raised the principal
discussion OF the day. Elmore T. Ide
said the owners of the Creamery had
built here with the understanding
that the law exempted them for five
years, but that they found out after
wards it would have to be accom-
plished by a special vote in town
meeting. He believed the principle
involved was right and that it was
the only inducement the town could
hold out to new industries.
Some one in the crowd said that
the Creamery only employed one
hand and that this was the proprie-
tor. Mr.. Ide denied this and said
that several men were employed there,
that their building cost about $4,000,
and that one OF the proprietors was
trying to buv a house in this town.
E. P. Allen said this matter had
failed of passage at one town meeting
and he did not see why Creamery
should be exempt from taxa tion any
more than farmer with whom they
camein competition. For one, he did
not ask the town to abate his taxes
and he paid out $500 last year for
help. II factory employing 100
hands wanted to come here he should
vote to exempt them from taxation.
Mr.. Ide said that if St. Johnsbury
wanted to establish the precedent
not to help new industries the voters
must take the consequences.
Henry c. Bates said he was willing
to pay more taxes so that any new
industry might be encouraged and
favored. He believed in building up
the village in every way.
N. M. Johnson believed in exempt
ing new industries on general princi-
piles, but here was one that employed
little help and was brought into di-
rect competition with the farmers.
DR.. Bullard recalled the fact that
E. & T. Fairbanks started with only
10 men and that from small begin
nings there might be great endings.
He favored helping the small indus
tries.
Mr.. Ide's motion to exempt the
Creamery was defeated by quite a
majority.
Under general business N. M. John
son introduced resolution that the
taxes be collected by the town treas
urer as done the past year, the tax
payers to be allowed a discount OF 4
per cent, and the treasurer to receive
one-half of one percent instead of one
per cent for collecting the same. Mr..