Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-03-19
SEMLWEEKLY BANNER, TUESDAY, MARCH 49, 1885

under the provisions of this act shall,
annually, elect one trustee, who shall ex-
pend such income pursuant to the con-
ditiOn of the trust, and shall give bond
to the satisfaction of the selectmen of
the town, cOndi Toned for the faithful
performance of his duties. He shall be
paid such sum, not exceeding two dol
lars day, for each day actually spent in
the performance of his duties, as the
town may vote, which shall be deducted
from the said income of the principal
fund. He may, annually, draw orders
upon the town treasurer to an amount
not exceeding such income.
SeCtiOn4. The town treasurer shall
keep a separate account with each such
trust fund, and shall, annually. pay or
ders drawn upon him by the trustee, to
the amount hereinbefore provided, and
shall, annually, report the condition of
such account to the town.
Section s. The four preceding sec
tions shall not be construed to affect the
action of town that has heretofore re-
ceiYed money in trust for the purpose
named by the donor.
Approved November goth, 1894.
The town of Bennington, at the last
annual town meeting, March 5th, 1895,
duly voted to receive any funds that dom
ors NAV wish to make under this act,
ard in anticipation thereof have elected
"Trustee of Cemetery Funds" for the
ensuing year, that parties so desiring
can put the law into effect at once.
The process for those desiring to Gre
ate such fund would be this: To pay
to the town treasurer whatever sum you
wish, taking his receipt for the same,
stating the amount and the particular
purpose for which the donor wishes the
proceeds expended annually, under the
provisions of this act. Then, place the
receipt on record with the town clerk,
and the thing is done. As to the amount
required, each must judge for himself,
guided by circumstances and what they
/, wish done. For a person of limited
means, who has a small burial lot, even
the sum of S25 or $50 donated to the
town will insure the raking up of the lot
and cutting of the grass at least once or
twice every season, giving it look of
tidiness and care. Should you desire
more done, such as keeping the stones
in an upright position all the holes and
sunken places that come in the turf
filled, sometimes newly seeded and man
ured, of course it will take more money.
1t would seem as though this law was
good one and that it will be satisfacto.
ry in its workings.
A loss of the fund cannot occur, be-
cause it ceases to be money the instant
you take the town treasurer's receipt for
it, so far as the donor is concerned, and
becomes simply an obligation against the
town to fulfill the wish, of the donor to
the extent Of, and in the manner. as pro-
vided by the law, for all time. The act
ual money itself becomes the property OF
the town to use for whatever purpose
they may see fit. So that the worst that
could happen would be the malfesance
in Office Of the trustee whose duty it is to
honestly carry out the towns obligation.
He must give bonds. to faithfully per-
form his duties, and that he should not
could hardly occur for more than one
season, as he must render an account of
his doings to the auditors, and is elected
annually
Undoubtedly this fund will, in a great
measure, be created from requests. but
those living may by its terms be relieved
of the care of their cemetery lots. And
yet, not in any way interfere with extra
work they may desire to do on them.
Then too, under the terms of the act,
| 4 person blessed with an abundance of
this worlds goods could place a large
amount for the benefit of a whole ceme-
terry, to have the proceeds expended on
the walks and drives and general beauti-
flying of the grounds.
With this opportunity it is to be hoped
| that the appearance OF our cemeteries
will be greatly improved.
That's hallowed ground, where mourned and
missed,
The lips repose our love has kissed"
CITIZEN.
The town of Bennington elected Mr..
John S. Lyman as Trustee of Cemetery
Funds" being the only town in this 10
cality to do so as far as reported to us
Whether towns in other portions of the
State availed themselves of the privileges
of this act or not we are uniformed,
but it appears to us that every town will
do so when the scope of the law is COM
pretended ED