Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-11-12

that otherwise must nave Deen supported !
partly, or wholly, by state aid.
An extra tax Of 10 cents on the dollar of
the grand list of 1860 was levied and last,
but not least, as evidence of the spirit that
pervaded this general assembly, the munifi-
cent sum of Sl,OOO.OOO was unanimously
appropriated to carry out the provisions of
the laws that had just been enacted.
The Enactments of 'OI, 'O2, 'O3.
The legislature chosen in September,
1861, met at Montpelier in regular session
on the 10Th day of October following, Lieut..
Gov. Levi Underwood being president of
the senate, and Augustus =. Hunton,
speaker of the house. The new governor,
Frederick Holbrook. having been duly in
stalled, transmitted his first annual mes
sage to the general assembly, giving
clear and concise statement of the states
financial transactions, condition and wants,
and suggesting needed legislation to pro
vide for the prompt payment of all future
obligations both for civil and military ser
vice. He also carefully reviewed the mil
itary operations of the state during the pre-
cedng six months, and recommended such
further legislative action as he deemed
necessary to enable the state to respond
without delay TO all future calls for troops
I
out breathed the spirit of patriotism, high
courage and undoubtng confidence.
At this date, under laws passed at the
extra session in April, six full regiments
of infantry, and one company of 100 sharp
shooters had been recruited, organized,
armed and equipped, and despatched to
the seat of war; and full regiment OF
cavalry had also been enlisted under spec
ial authority of the United States-N er-
mont then having no law authorizing the
organization of cavalry-and was nearly
ready to take the field The legislature at
once legally adopted the cavalry regiment,
and extended to it the full ben fits of the
seven dollars a month extra pay, and OF
state aid to families of soldiers in the held.
Two more regiments of infantry-the 18th
and Sth-were authorized to be recruited,
organized, armed and equipped, on the
same terms and conditions, so far as ap-
plicable, as prescribed in the six regi-
ments act, passed at the extra session.
And the governor was further authorized,
on the same terms and conditions as re-
cited above, to recruit and organize such
further number of volunteers, either as in
fantry. cavalry or artillery, as mi-ht be
necessary, in his judgment, to fill the
states quota of any future calls for troops
from the President of the United States
In August, 1861, Congress levied dl-
rect tax upon incomes and real estate OF
$4,000. 000-the quota of Vermont being
S2ll. 06S-and provided for the assessment
and collection of this tax by United States
officers; with a proviso authorizing any
state. on due notice, to assess and collect
the tax in It's own way. and thus, by as
Stunning payment of its quota of the direct
tax within a specified time, securing a de-
duction of II per cent. The legislature at
once accepted this alternative, and the tax
was paid by the state treasurer. At this
session, too, WAS inaugurated the wise
policy Of paying a large portion OF the cur
rent war eXpenses-equal 10 or approx
mating one-half-year by year during the
progress OF the war; and in pursuance of
this policy a tax of 80 cents on dollar of
the grand list was levied, in lieu of 20
cents in 1860 In 1862 the tax was in
creased to so cents, and in 1868 to 100
cents on each dollar of the grand list.
This policy was steadily maintained, even
after the cessation of hostilities, with the
result that in less than 10 years after the
collapse of the rebellion, Nermonts war
debt was practically wiped out.
The general assembly of 1862 met at the
usual time, in October. Paul Dillingham;
had become acknowledgements and presi-
dent of the senate, and John Gregory
Smith was elected speaker of the house.
Governor Holbrook in his second annual
message, after eulogizing the steadfast pa
triotism uf the people of Vermont, and the
valor and achievements of her soldiers in
the field, used these ringing words: THUS
will it ever be with Vermont TO the end OF
the war; she will never falter nor look
back, but will press forward, until. II need
be. her last dollar is expended, and her
last son falls, unfolding in his dying grasp
The flag of our Union and with his
latest breath calculating a benediction up
on his country"
At this session a comprehensive act was
passed for the reorganization of the state
militia: towns were authorized TO raise
money to pay bounties to volunteers, and
the benefits of the seven dollars a month
extra pay were extended to all the state
regiments.
Comparatively little important legsla-
ton remained for enactment by the legis
lature of 1868. A law was passed, how
ever, giving volunteers for three years the
option of accepting a bounty of 1925 in
place of the seven dollars a month extra
pay. Towns were authorized TO pay boun-
ties TO drafted men and the extra monthly
pay was extended to them.
Under these various enactments err
mont was enabled promptly to put her full
complement of soldiers into the field, as
and when called for, and stood credited by
the United States government, at the close
of the war, with over 1900 men in excess
of her full quota of all acquisitions by the
President. Judged retrospectively it must
be conceded that Vermonts war legislation
was notably Opportune, patriotic and wis ;
and the reasons are not far to seek. Pro-
videntially, or through marvelously fortu-
nate chance, Vermont had in her eXecu-
tive and legislative service, at that time of
her greatest need, an unprecedented num-
Der of her ablest and wisest citizens, as
the appended list of names of some of
them will attest.
some OF the Men Of the Time.
When the war broke out, Erastus Fair
banks was governor, and he was succeeded,
in October, 1861, by Frederick Holbrook,
who served until October, 1868, when he
was succeeded by John Gregory Smith.
These were the three famous "War Gov
ernorsn of Vermont; and each of them,
inspired by the Hottest patriotism, dis
charged the perpleXing, onerous and re-
sponsible duties of his high office with
eminent ability, fidelity and success.
Levi Underwood and Paul Dillingham;
served as utenant-governor-the form
er from October, 1860, to October, 1862,
and the latter from the last-named date to
October 1865, when he became governor.