The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-08-16
ADMIRAL DEwEY'S RECEPTION.
The Entire State Interested in the
Affair.

In responseto an invitation from Govern
or Smith large number of prominent men
from different parts OF the State met him at
Montpelier Wednesday to make arrange
ments for 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.. NJ. Read of Bellows Falls,
]. j. Estey of Brattleboro. s. E. Pingree of
Hartford, DR.. H. d. Holton and Speaker
Kittridge Hsskins Of Brattleboro, w. B,
Wall of Randolph. Senator Jonathan Ross,
Lieut. Gov. Bates and Harry Blodgett Of
st. Johnsbury, Gen. W. II. Gilmore of
Fairlee, E. j. Ormsbee of Brandon, Rep
resentstives w. w. Grout of Kirby and
H. H. Powers OF Morrisville, j. W. Stew
art of Middlebury, Mayor j. w. Gordon and
Prof. o. ID. Mathewson Of Barre, G. s..
Forbes and Col. Frank l.. Greene of St.
Adams, u A. Woodbury. and T. s. Peck
of Burlington, Pres. A. ID. Brown OF North
field, W. W. Stickney OF Ludlow, DR.. W. N.
Platte OF Shoreham, Olin Merrill of Enos-
burg Falls, Judge Watson of Bradford
Lord, I. 9. Phinney, Arthur Ropes, Col. O.
ID. Clark, W. p. Dillingham;, Hon. b. f.
Fifield, Col. j. G. Brown, j. M. Boutwell,,
j. W. Brock, L. Bart Cross, Postmaster
Shedd, +. A, Rowland and others OF Mont
peler, and G. G, Benedict of Burlington.
chamber. Governor Smith asked Lieuten-
ant Governor Bates TO occupy the chair.
Governor Smith explained the object OF the
meeting, which was to perfect an organiZa-
ton and devise ways and means for a re-
ception to be given Admiral Dewey when
he reaches Montpelier. The Governor said
the universal opinion throughout the State
is that the popular demonstration shall be
at the Capital of the State and concurrent
with the city of Montpelier.
Colonel Q. s. Forbes was elected secre-
tary OF the meeting, and General I. s. Peck
explained the situation as he found it in
New York last week, where he went by Or
der 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 Mon
day. Governor Stewart also asked Mr..
Dewey to indicate il he could what sort of
a reception would best please his brother.
Mr.. Dewey replied that in his opinion
quiet and not too long reception would
please him most.
Ex-Governor Woodbury. suggested that
any spectacular or military display that we
could make here would be comparatively
small and that something entirely different
from demonstration of that kind. He
thought this meeting ought to raise money
to send the Governor and all the ex-govern-
ors to New York. Collector Mansur thought
the reception should be distinctly q State
affair, and that instead Of sending troops to
New York we should use all our funds and
all our energies in getting ready for the 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, let us make ar
90 font Ia 20
Dewey face to face.
Ex-Governor Stewart thought Montpelier
should take the lead in this matter and that
the assistance from outside should be suxil-
larry 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 more people inside its
limits than 1t has since the time General
Sheridan was here. Governor Stewart did
not favor sending any delegation to New
York.
b. f. Fifeld thought the State should
have the directing power In this matter.
Montpelier will appoint 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 officio, OF committee of
| one from each county to be appointed by
| the Governor, they TO confer with a com
mittee 10 be appointed by the city OF Mont
| pelier to formulate plans for the reception
N. w. Fisk aud Mayor Gordon urged
that the reception should be a State affair
| that the State should pay the bills.
The question Of mobilzing the National
| Guard of Vermont at Montpelier at the
| time of the Dewey reception was discussed
| Quartermaster General Gilmore stated that
the troops could be armed and equipped,
and mustered at Montpelier during that
time. The Governor on being Intercepted
stated that it il his intention to have the
| regiment equipped and modified here.
| W. b. Wall advocated having every band
and every organization in the State at
Montpelier and let the State pay the bills
Ex-Gov. Ormsbee thought when the Gov
| ernor knows how much money he wants he
will easily find 100 good men in the State
| who will guarantee the money to pay all
expenses, trusting to the legislature to re-
| imburse them. On motion OF ex-Gov.