Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-10-05
Just Before the Battle.
At Montpelier.

At Montpelier.
Monday evening, October I'd.
Loved ones at home:
In the poets story of -ihe Battle of
Waterloo" be alludes to the fact that
"There was a sound of revelry by night,
And Belgium's CAPT al had gathered there
her bravest and her fairest."
Well, not many of the fairest are here
except those who belong here and here
abouts-the large number for which Mont
pelier is famed-but goodly sprinkling OF
the bravest are already on hand.
AS for ''revelry," it is more like the dis
tant thunder before the storm b. eaks. AL
though the general assembly does not meet
in solemn and portentious conclave until
Wednesday morning, yet the advance
guard is streaming in and positions are b.
ing taken for general assault. All along
the line to the hotel accommodations are
fairly well taken, but their patronage is not
up to previous legislative years at this time:
Members who knew the ropes seem to pre-
fer private house treatment and as con-
sequence the irst-class boarding and lodg-
ing houses are already unusually we'll filled.
Hotel life, with its dreary sameness of Gel
lery, soup and roast beef and the never
ceasing all-night racket becomes monoto-
nous, and experienced legislative attend
ants search out good private house with
quiet rooms and meals like home.
That this will be the most important ses-
sion in eoent years is the general impress
sion. Vast and stupendous schemes for
the alleged good of the public are already
preached and quietly discussed and the
general expectation is that quite a number
OF interesting things are likely to happen
1t would of course be impossible at this
legislation, but it is evident that the mem
bers will have something of more conse-
quence to discuss than the Reinstatement
OF the bounty on foxes and woodchucks.
1t appears that Senator Morrill, has no
intention of esigning as long as bis health
will permit him to attend to the duties OF
his office, but the health of a man of bis
age is always a matter of grave uncertainty
and his retirement is liable to come at any
time. Every one hopes that he may long
be spared to the state, but still the several
candidates are ready to open fire on the
position at me ment's notice.
For many yesrs thee has been prev
alent that all men and boys are created
equal in this country, with equal advan-
tages in succeeding in life, but this theory
as applied to Legislative appointments is
knocked silly by stern fact. Appoint
ments to positions in and about the legisla-
ture go to the people who can command
the most influence.
The poor boy has no more chance of
securing three dollar-a-day job than he
has of being offered the presidency OF the
University of Vermont. 1t is the gilt
edged kid whose father is an influential
politician or who has distinguished rela-
tives who knocks the persimmons. Like
wise the doorkeeper appointments. Those
came from a combination of political,
Grand Army and other well-known infu-
ences. Especial fitness has nothing to do
with the case. A sufficient "pull' is all
that is required.
To illustrate: Saturday Sergeant-at-
Arms Phinney made these appointments
House doorkeeper, G. n. No ton of Hunt
ngton; assistant, w. w Sprague of
Brookfeld; senate doorkeeper, L. G.
Needham of Leicester assistant, F. A.
Trevillian Of Barnard; assistant sergeant
at-arms, l.. P. Adams of Swanton mes
,engers in house and enate,-D. F. Gard |
Ter of Pownal, John Reeves of Island |
Pond, Archer Swinnington of Rutland, |
Fred Chadwick of Randolph, John Miller
II Newfane, Albert Sault of St. Johns
bury, whose father will be senate reporter, |
4. NJ. Blown of Richford and j J. Colby |
If Waterbury.
The sergeant cannot select these |
,fficials on their merits he has to take
hose who present the longest petitions and
ave most effective political backing. The
riends of these candidates can not be ig
ored they must be placated, and as a re-
ult the weakest go to the wall with dull
bud.
For chaplain of the senate the choice
ppears to lie between Rev. G. W. Nor
ow of Randolph and Rev. Andrew Gillies,
Iethodist clergyman of this city. Pres
Mt indications point strongly toward the
liter. II
Each of the three candidates for secre-
.ry of the senate, Powell, Fletcher and
aPoint, are dead sure OF election and
70 of them are going TO receive terrific '
It, The chances are In the order named.
1t is foregone conclusion that Mr.. Has I
ms of Brattleboro will be chosen speaker
,anilnously, with the exception of about
votes cast for Mr.. Dickey of Bradford, L
,mocrat. Mr.. Haskins is trifle deaf, {
hich is one of the most important things
his favor. Tom Cheney of Morrisville
n be clerk, and Messrs. Mutt of this y
" and johnson of Randolph reporters. II
AZ Sba iattar ara ,Y,asf popular nauSnanar ..