Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-10-06
GOVERNORS RECEPTION
elect and Mrs. smith-Social Season
Opened In q Brilliant Manner.

With the beginning OF the grave rcspon-
sibilities and oncrous duties as lawmakers
to-day there also began one of the Eaycr
functions which fall to the lot OF the hon
orables, but more especially pleasing to
their wives and daughters, In tho rcccp-
tion of the retiring governor and Mrs.
Grout to Cov.-clect and Mrs. Smith
This function was held at the State
House this evening. One especially pleas
ing feature of the occasion was the cleo
trio lights which have been placed in tho
building since the last reception. These
lights added a briliancy 20 the scene
which could not be secured with the more
sombre light of gas and served TO enhance
Its beauty and elegance.
The large staff of Gov Grout which was
quite literally represented and the mem
hers arraycd in their bright gold cord
gave the governors room = military air
seldom eAcelled. In the gallery Of Rep
rcscntatives' Hall was stationed the Mont
reicr Military band and orchestra which
discoursed music during the evening.
The receiving party was composed of
Gov. and Mrs. Grout Lieut. Gov and
Mrs. Fisk, Gov.-clect and Mrs. Smith. ard
Mrs, III. c. Bates. wife of the lieutenant
governor-elect. Escorted by the COVER
nor's staff the party marched to the gov
ernor's room at $50 p. m. and gave n cor
dial hand shake to about one thousand
people. The guests were ushcred into the
executive chamber by Coils. Fletcher, Nell
son and Clark and Gen. Y. S. Peck intro
duced them to the receiving party
Passing out of the executive chamber
the party met in the large reception room
where greetings were exchanged until
! time to say adeu. On a able was an e!e-
CANT basket Of roses presented to the gov
ernor by his staff. Among the prominent
guests were: EX-Gov. f.. j. Ormsbee and
I wife of Brandon. Ex-Gov. Samuel f. Pin
gree and wife Of Hartford, Ex-Governor
Roswell Farnham of Bradford. ex-Gov. c.
S. Page OF Hyde Park, Hon. o. Nj. Barber
of Arlington, Hon. Henry +. Field and
wife of Rutland. Hon. c. w. Blownell and
wife, Col T.. Henry Powell and wife. Mrs
L, A. Woodbury. and Mrs. j. II. May o.
Burlington, Congressman William W
Grout and Miss Victoria Grout OF Kirby
Mr.. and Mrs William Donald of Boston
guests OF Lieut.. Gov. Fisk and wife. Hon
Olin Merrill and wife and Hon. Carmi l.
Marsh and wife of cnosburRh Falls, Gen
,eral Julius j. Estey of Brattleboro. Geo
IL. Babbitt, jr., and l., S. Hayes of Bel
lows Falls Mrs. j. Gregory Smith. Mr.
and Mrs George G. Smith, Mr.. and Mrs
Oliver Crocker Stevens. Miss Anna Il
Smith, Mrs James, Mayor Fuller g
Smith and wife, Mrs. w. Tracy Smith
Hon. +. Stewart Stranahan and wife. Far
rand s. StrSnahan and wife, Hon y, NJ
Dea! and wife. Col. C. s. Forbes. lion. c
Il. Hogan, Mr. ID. d. anlett. Miss Bessie
l.. Brainerd Mrs James NJ. Foss. Mrs. A
S. Richardson OF st. Albans, Or. c. l., Err
win OF Newport Centre. Mrs. James l.
Martin OF Brattleboro, c. NJ. Wilds. esd.
; OF Middebury. Hon. W. w. Stickney o
Ludlow, Hon. John w. Titcomb and wifi
OF st. Johnsbury and Speaker Kittrcdg,
Iiaskins and wife and Gen, j, G. McCul
ouGh president pro tom. Of the Senat
and nearly every member of both houses
RAILROAD COMMISSIONS ,REPoRT
Tho sixth biennial report OF the boar
= of railroad commissioners has been pre-
= pared and will be ready for distribution
tomorrow, The report covers fully tn
t work OF the commission during the pas
s two years and porusal of 1t will con
= vince people that the commission Is
D valuable body to the State. As the pub
= lie will be most interested in the recon
d mcndations concerning legislation. etc
what the board says is appended:
! GRADE CROSSINGS.
= 1t Is the conviction of the board, aftc
k a careful study of the whole matter. thu
: the State should contribute to the e,
pense OF the abolishment of these eros:
n ings. and 1t recommends that legislatio
/, be enacted authorizing the board, when
r orders the abolishment of a Grade eros:
ing under the statute as II now exists, I
assess not more than So per cent therec
\. to the town or city in which the crossln
n Is situated and the State In such propoi
t tions as 1t deems just and equitable. bt
IS limiting the number In which the Stat
y may be assessed to not more than tw
e crossings In any one county on any or
y road in the same year, and the expens
h thereof to the State to no moro than $40
o 900 In any year.
" The board also recommends the enac
ment of a statute requiring railroads
e keep fences at approaches to grade eros
& ings whitewashed or painted to cnab
n both truinmen and travellers to readi
n observe the proximity OF he eros
n ing and thereby afford an additions
20 safeguard against accidents at such eros