Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-02-04
Lavant NJ. Read for Congress.
His Candidacy Formally Announced.
LErnn the Rpllnu.s Enlls Tirnnn In

From the Bellows Falls Times, Jan 90
There have been conjectures and rumors that
Judge L. NJ. Read Of Bellows Falls might enter
the race as candidate for congressional honors in
the Second Vermont district; these rurnors have
elected highly complimentary notices from the
press Of the district and state, and numerous ex
pressions of good will and unsolicited offers of
support. Because of these tokens of favor and
esteem an at the urgent solicitation Of friends
Judge Read has authorized the Times to make a
formal announcement of h s candidacy
So far only one other candidate has made
public announcement Of his candidacy, the Hon.
Frank Plumey of Mortified, although it is gen
orally understood that the present member, the
Hon. W. w Grout would not be averse to an
eighth successive election provided il is agreeable
to his friends AS between these three men it is
believed in this section Of the state at least that
Judge Read, TO put 1t modesty, is at least the
equal OF either of the others in III those qualities
winch enter into successful public life and make
a representative in Congress esteemed and re-
spected by his constituents. The friends OF
Judge Read would like to see him in Congress,
and from now until next June will make strong
night In his behalf using every honorable en-
deavor to further his interests. They believe that
his ability, lis reputation as LAWYER and citizen,
nus experience as legi-lator,-all demonstrate
that II chosen y the people of the Sec md dis
trict to represent them in Congress he will honor
The office and honor the dis. rict which bestows
the office
Bellows Falls is one Of he few large places of
the state, yet political honor has never come to
any OF ItT CltlL-uS lnere lS a leEeud TO the eff
feet that one William Henry of the town of Rock.
ingham. was in 1916 chosen a representative in
Congress, but the truth Of this We have been un-
able to verify. With this possible exception no
state or national Office has ever fallen to the lot
Of a citizen of Rockingham. Year after year the
voters OF this section have done valiant service in
behalf Of worthy sons of Windsor county and
other parts of Wndham county they now ask
for an exchange Of cuurtesies. and the united and
enthusiastic support of both these counties in be-
halt or candidate every inch the quail of any
others, and Ia every way qualified for the Office
his friends ask for him
Lavant Murray Read was born in Wardsboro
Dec. 26, leij received common school education
in his native town, studied in the Leland and Gray
seminary in Townshend, read law in TIE office Of
Hon. Hoyt II. Wheeler and admitted to the
bar of Windham county in 1869. He began the
practice OF law in Jamaica, having formed part
nefshp with the Hon. Hoyt Wheeler but re-
moved to Bellows Falls in 1872 during his %
years residence in the latter place he has built
up large and lucrative law practice, and is
known over the whole state as one of the keenest
minds and most learned members of tn Vermont
bar.
In 1886 he was elected judge of probate for the
district OF Westminster IN Mindham county, and
has held the Office since He was states attorney
for Windham county in 1850 /. He represented
the town Of Rockingham in the general assembly
IN lsJ2, aud was reelected in 1894. HIS eminent
qualifications as a legislator quickly recog-
nized, and from the first he was counted one of
the leading members of the house During his
first term he was made a member Of the commit
tee on judiciary, and chairman u the committee
on raiir pads and the committee on the revision Of
bHls during MS sec nd term he was chairman
OF the committee on judiciary. the most import
ant COMM tee OF the house. Under statute Of
1874. entitled a act to provide for the puhica.
ton of the Vermont statutes So he was appointed
one OF a committee Of three to edit and sup-rin-
tend the publication of the Vermont statutes.
He was CHI sen president OF the Vermont bar
ass cation IN 1892, and grand secretary of
the grand lodge OF Ma-ons of Vermont in 1855 1-S
and grand master in 1879 20 ST. He Is q veteran
OF the war Of the rebellion with an honorable
record, having enlisted in 1863 in compauy II of
the 2i Vermont Volunteers he was wounded in
the battle q the Wilderness and was discharged
Aug 20 1865
This in brief is the record of the man the people
OF INDIAN county announce as their candidate
Tor Congress In the comi election. They invite
on the part of the other counties Of the district
careful inspection of this record. and court
eous consideration or the claims made IN behalf
Of Judge Read.