The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-08-16
VermOnt's Welcome to Dewey,

That was body of representative
Vermonters that convened in the Sen
ate chamber on Wednesday, in re-
Spouse to Governor Smiths invitation,
to take council together for an appro-
pirate welcome to Dewey back to the
shores of his native land, the capital OF
his native State and the place of his
birth. Many of the first citizens Of the
State were there, those who had been
Governor, and had occupied, or are
still administering, its high offices,
those who are representing the people
in the national Congress, and who are
leaders in the various departments of
private affairs. In dignity and;, worth
it was body competent to prepare for
Admiral Dewey welcome to Yer.
mont.
The assemblage wisely placed the
matter Of organizing the greeting to
Dewey, on the part of the people of
Vermont, and arranging it's details, in
the competent hands of Governor
Smith and the committee of one from
each county he was authorized to call
to his assistance. That organization,
acting in concert with committee the
city of Montpelier will create, will per-
feet arrangements which shall ade-
quately and fttingly present to Ad-
miral Dewey the homage of the inhab-
itants of the Green Mountain State.
The largest discussion was held over
the financial aspect of the function, the
provision of the money for necessary
expenses, as no legal authority exists
for drawing from the State treasury the
funds required for the occasion.
The reception is the peoples, in
their original and sovereign capacity,
not through their servants and legal
representatives acting under author
ity of law. 1t has been clear from the
beginning, and it was made clearer by
the extracts from recent letters from
Admiral Dewey read at the conference,
grateful to him from his fellowmen of
Vermont would be the exhibition of
the homage of the people of the State
at large and of his native town, in some
way that would insure spontaneity of
expression, without undue Formally
and extravagant parade. This feeling
of native homage exists throughout
the State, in an Astounding and over
flowing measure. The responsible but
grateful task of the committees on Or
ganization, finance and arrangements is
to mass it at Montpelier and give it ad-
equate and effective expression.
The matter of expense and finance is
ofprime Importance in carrying out ar
rangements for this reception, but in
the judgment of many prominent citi-
zens who are of the people, and very
close to the great class who will give
Admiral Dewey the sort of greeting
that will be most grateful to him, be-
lieve the estimated amount of money
desired is much in excess of what viii
be needed. The attendance of the ma
tional guard will be at the expense o.
the State. For that no subscription o.
money will be required. Visitors ant
visiting organizations will come ant
go al their own expense of time, trans
portation and subsistence. Commu
mites having band of music by which
they wish to be accompanied to Mont
peier will naturally arrange for it's ex
penses in attending the reception
The decoration or illumination of indi
vdual residences or places of bushes
will be borne by the individual owner
or occupants. 1t is the peoples recer
ton and the individuals directly part
cipating will inevitably bear their ind
vidual expenses of whatever kind
Outside Of these expenditures of ind
viduals, organizations, communities
and the State is the area of public O
general expenses, for which hnancis
provision must be made, and it is diff
cult to see how these can reach $40 ,0O(
or sum very much smaller than this
not if the sort of reception outline
at this conference is provided. B,
what money is needed for strictly pul
lie expenses, be it more or less, will /
raised, and if the sum is 80 great as
be too burdensome for individual su
scription it should be assumed by tt
State. The people at large will PIT
the bills and be glad of the chance.