Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-03-09

was dull. prosaic, with hardly dash of
humor. or breath of poesy, devoid of spec
tacular features, and almost entirely lack
ing in DISPLAYS of oratory or irOnical out
bursts. 1t was almost a dull, monotonous
level. the only deviations being in John
Galvin's expose of mistakes in the town
report, which was in entire good temper;
Mr.. Staffords usual solo on retrenchment;
j. L. Martins suggestion as to the in
ability of the chairman OF the board OF
fence viewers to look over fence in case
he came to one, and the failure to swallow
bait, hook, snker and line, when action on
the auditors report was asked
The interest in the election centred en-
tirely in the road mmissionership, which
Mr.. Perry won hands down, although he
made no effort to secure the office. Gill
man Warren. whose name was not men
toned publicly as candidate until the
night before the meeting, made highly
creditabe run. There was much specula-
ton as to the place H. +. Harris would
occupy, as he had made an active canvass
and claimed to be sanguine of success.
He was numbered among those who also
ran" but hardly in sight of the back
stretch when the bell rang.
The meeting was called to order prompt
ly at 9 o'clock by Chairman George w.
Hooker, who read the warrant and squared
away for business. Col. Harmon moved
that the auditors report be accepted and
adopted John Calvin, who had evident
ly studied the report thoroughly, punctured
it ad libitum showing up errors which had
not been seen in addition to those pointed
out in The Phoenix last week. He called
attention to mistakes in the town agency
report, laborers' account, said temporary
loan was not included in the towns liabil-
tiles, etc., and laid particular stress on the
absence of figures showing special appro-
priations of $4,000 last year for the high
ways, and lack of any definite information
by which the amount expended on high
ways could be determined. Mr.. Calvin
thought the Iniggardly policy of small ex-
penses which had been advocated in spread
eagle fashion was to blame for the errors.
He considered the auditors very capable
men, but said they had felt compelled to
hurry through their work.
j. L. Martin called attention to an item
of plank bought which would indicate
price of $50 a thousand feet, which was
excessive. j. p. Sargent complained be-
cause bills for plank we're not itemized in
such a way as to show exactly what had
been bought.
Chairman Vinton of the board of select
men arose at this point to explain that
5000 for outstanding debts in the select
mems estimates for the coming year, which
Mr.. Calvin had indicated as being at vari-
ance with the statement in another part of
the report that there was no floating in
debtedness, was a sum set aside for any
bills which might be presented, but which
were unknown to the selectmen Mr.. Vim
ton also made an explanation in regard to
the plank bought, saying that the select
men had been careful 10 have each &C
count itemzed. Mr.. Chamberlain, one of
the auditors, explained that the itemizing
was not given in detail on account of the
bulk which it would add TO the report.
j. L. Martin spoke of the complications
which might arise with mistakes in the re-
port of the liquor agency, when the town
had to deal with the state, referring
to the 5000 rent charged for a small
room for the agency. Mr.. Chamberlain
explained that the mistake was in the
inventory of the agency's stock. Mr..
Martins amendmept that the report lie on
the table until it had been corrected for
placing on file prevailed.
On proceeding to the election of officers
the following we're chosen unanimously
viva voce:
Moderator-Georg w. Hooker.
Clerk-Willam S. Newton.
Selectmen-WillAm ii. VintoD, Fred f.
Gleason, E. Fl. Putnam.
Overseer of the POOR. L. Stockwell.
Treasurer-W. H. Bracket.
Constables-T. Harmon, j. l.. Stock
well.
Collector-R. Z. Gordon.
A motion was carried for five listers,
and John S. Cutting, AZor Marshall, II.
b. Chamberlain and T. j. B. Cudworth
were chosen unanimously. A. j. Currier
who was named for fifth lister, declined to
serve. q. W. Pierce spoke of the desir-
ability of having two practical farmers on
the board, on account of the appraisal of
farm property, and nominated f. H.
Spaulding. W. S. Stearns had also been
named, and w. G.. Horton seconded his
nomination and spoke of the necessity of
fifth lister who could do the Office work
accurately and rapidly. A division of the
house showed a choice for Mr.. Spaulding
II. b. Chamberlain was elected first au-
ditor, I. j. B. Cudworth second and c.. g.
Staples third auditor John Calvin was
nominated as second auditor and John Sar-
gent as third auditor, but both withdrew.
william 5. Newton was unanimously
elected trustee of public money, and An
ShNhy AJShNChht LdNlu OdT6l anu IL II.
Adams were elected fence viewers, the
choice of the latter being loudly applauded.
Charles Welcome was nominated for a
place on the board, but his name was with
drawn as he was not of legal age.
William H. Minor was chosen first town
grand juror and II. f. Weatherhead sec
ond grand juror. John P. Sargent, named
for the second place, withdrew his name.
ii. W. lGnson was elected inspector of
leather, John Strand pound keeper and E.
>. Morse inspector of lumber. There were
no nominations for road commissioner.
The law requires election by ballot, and
the voting was in progress more than an
hour. After the ballot boxes were turned
the result was quickly announced, there
being hush of expectancy as Chairman
Hooker read
Total number of votes cast $50
David 7. Perry BAG
Gilman Warren 141
Chester Fisher 70
II. E. Harris 81
p. S. Eames .
N. L. Staples
Mr.. Perry had handsome majority,
but only plurality was necessary for
choice.
j. l.. Martin was elected town agent to
prosecute claims for or against the town.
Carl 5. Hopkins was elected as a member
OF the board of school directors for the
town school disfriot