The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1899-08-11
Vermont's Reception to Dewey.

In response TO an invitation from GOV.
Smith large number of prominent men
from different parts of the state met him
at Montpelier, Wednesday, to make ar
rangements for a popular demonstration
in honor of Admiral Dewey when he
reaches the city of his birth.
Among those present were N. W. Fisk
of Isle La Motto, l.. M. Reed of Bellows
Falls, J. j. Estey of Brattleboro, S. E. Pin
gree of Hartford, HI. d. Holton and Speak
er Kittridge Haskins of Brattleb oro, w.
B. Wall of Randolph, Senator Jonathan
Ross, Lieut.. Gov. Bates and Harry Blod-
gett of st. JOhnsbury. Gen. w H. Gilmore
of Fairlee, E. J. 0rmsby of Brandon, Rep;
H. II. Powers of Morrisville, j. w. Stew
art of Middlebury, Mayor j. W. Gordon
and Prof. O. D. Mathewson of Barre, c. S.
Page of Hyde Park, T. M. Deal, G. S.
Forbes and Frank l.. Green of st. Adams,
U. A. Woodbury. and T. S. Peck of Bur-
". W; Stickney Of Ludlow, W. n. Platt of
Shoreham, Ola Merrill of Enosburg Falls,
Judge j. II. Watson of Bradford, Charles
Dewey, Fred E. Smith, W. A. Lord, T. c.
Phinney, Arthur Ropes, O. d. Clark, W.
?. Dillingham;, B. F. Fitield, j. G. Brown,
J. M. Boutwell,, j: w. Brock, L. Bart
Cross, Postmaster Shedd, F. A. Rowland
and others of Montpelier, G. G. Bene-
dict of Burlington and r. Farnham of
Bradford.
The meeting was held in the Senate
Chamber. Governor Smith asked Lieut.
Gov. Bates to occupy the chair. Gov.
Smith explained the object of the meet
ing, which was to perfect an organi-
cation and devise ways and means for
reception to be given Admiral Dewey
when he reaches Montpelier. The gov
ernor said the universal opinion through
out the state is that the popular demon
stration shall be at the capital of the
rtate and concurrent with the city of
Montpelier.
q. S. Forbes was elected secretary of
the meeting, and General T. S. Peck ex-
planned the situation as he found it in
New York last week, where he went by
order of the governor to learn something
of the official plans for the reception to
be held there.
Mr. Benedict called on Hon. Charles
Dewey for the latest intelligence he had
from the Admiral, and Mr.. Dewey read
portions of letters received by him last
Monday. Governor Stewart also asked
Mr.. Dewey to indicate if he could what
sort of reception would best please his
brother. Mr.. Dewey replied that in his
opinion a quiet and not too long recep-
ton would please him most.
Collector ManSur thought the reception |
should be distinctly State affair, and |
that instead of sending troops to New |
York we should use all our funds and all
our 6u6TSl6S Ill getting ready LIE re-
ception at Montpelier.
Mr.. Benedict thought that what would !
please Admiral Dewey most will be the |
greetings of the people of his native state. |
Rather than attempt to rival New York |
and Washington in paradeS, leu us make
arrangements for the people to meet Ad-
miral Dewey face to face.
Ex-Governor Stewart thought Mont
pelier should take the lead in this matter
and that the assistance from outside
should be auxiliary to the city, but |
whether Montpelier takes the lead or
not, when Dewey gets here, all Vermont
will be here too, and Montpelier will see
since the time General Sheridan was here.
Governor Stewart did not favor sending
any delegation to New York.
B. F. Fitield thought the State should
have the directing power in this matter.
Montpelier will appoint a committee to
meet committee from the State, Mont
pelier will be guided by what the State
wants, will do what she wants us to do
and pay what we are asked to pay.
After some discussion it was voted, on
motion of Gov. Stewart, that Gov. Smith
be chairman. eX otficio, of a committee of
one from each county, to be appointed, by
the Governor, they to confer with COM
mittee to be appointed by the city of
Montpelier to formulate plans for the re-
ceptiOn.
n. w. Fisk and Mayor Gordon urged
that the reception should be State affair
that the State should pay the bills.
The question of mobilizing the Nation
al Guard of Vermont at Montpelier at
the time of the Dewey reception was dis
cuSsed. Quartermaster General Gilmore
stated thai the troops would be armed
and equipped, and mustered at Montpel-
Ter during that time. The Governor on
being Intercepted stated that it was his
intention to have the regiment equipped
and mebiized here.
w. B. Wall advocated having every
band and every organization in the State
1t Montdelier and let the State pay the
bills. EX-Gov. Ormsbee thought when
5he Governor knows how much money he
wants he will easily find 100 good men in
he State who will guarantee the money
% pay all expenses, trusting the legisla-
.ure to reimburse them. On motion of
'x-Gov. Woodbury. the whole matter of
aiSing the money necessary was left
With the committee he shall appoint.
b. +. Fitield presented paper provid-
ng that the Governor be empowered to
20 to an expense not exceeding $4,000,
o be signed by 100 responsible citizens
to reimburse him if the next
legislature fail so to do. This paper
net with much favor and the amount
vas pledged in few minutes.