Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-03-07

Col. Hooker announced the result at
1880 as follows:
Whole number of votes. 649
Necessary for choice, 1926
p s. Games, $40
d T. Perry, 297
d. p. Prescott, II
Gilman Warren.
Mr.. Eames was declared elected
amid enthusiastic applause from those
who had been his adherents and work
ers from the beginning
j. L. Martin was chosen town agent
to represent the interests of the town
in case of litigation, etc, and on mo-
ton of J. G. Stafford one ballot was
cast for Rev. l.. NJ. Keneston of West
Brattleboro as school director for the
town district.
The moderator announced that the
following grand jurors and petit Jurors
: had been drawn by the board of civil
authority and a unanimous vote for
them was cast affirmatively.
Grand jurors-W. II. Ninton. J. p.
Sargent, II. F. Weatherhead. w. r..
Geddis, Fred f. Gleason, Oscar T.
Ware.
Petit Jurors-Luke Weatherhead.
Frank l.. Hunt, Azor Marshall, War
rem Fessenden. H. d. Waterman o. j.
Pratt. T. j. B. Cudworth Edward C.
Dunklee. Hiram F. Weatherhead.
Luke Eerriter, Chauncey I. Knapp, F.
II. Spaulding. George II. Burns. NJ. j.
Moran, j. G. Stafford. John H. Retting,
George L. Durham, r. II. Sargent. L..
w. Hawley.
On taking up the regular business
of the meeting it was voted on motion
of Gen. Estey to raise a tax of 10 cents
on s1.00 of the grand list, payable on
July /.
On motion of j. L. Martin, DR.. H.
d. Holton, F. X. Barrows and Rev. H.
r. Miles were reelected trustees of
the Brattleboro Free library for a term
of three years. When the question
of an appropriation for the support
and maintenance of the Brattleboro
Free library was considered Col Miles
moved for an appropriation of $1,000,
$500 more than has been the custom.
In very effective speech, Col. Miles
spoke of the value of the library to
every class in town, and particularly
to the public schools, and of its growth
in Is years from between 5000 and
1000 volumes to between 10000 and
$4,000. He said that a proportionate
increase for another Is years would
mean $4,000 volumes. The duties
and responsibilities of the librarian
had increased in like ratio, and while
we had heretofore had an official who
had served faithfully for a nominal sal
airy, he now wished a rest from his la
bors. Col Miles said that we really
require librarian of large experience,
great reading, who can be consulted on
variety of topics by those frequent
ing the library, and one who would
have a magnetic influence in leading
people to better reading. He said
that the services of such a person
could not be secured for less than
$500, and that with an appropriation
of $1,000 and salary increased to 5000,
about 5000 would be left for the pur-
chase of new volumes each year. The
appropriation was thereupon voted
unanimously.
Upon motion of Gen. Estey, 500
was appropriated for the proper OBJ
servance of Memorial day.
c. F. Thompson moved an appropr-
alton of 500 for the care of the Com
mon. Chairman Vinton of the board
of selectmen said that if Fuller Park
was accepted by the town. an increase
over the last year would be needed.
and his amendment making the appro-
priation $3.50 was accepted and voted
On motion of J. G. Stafford, the sal
aries of the town officers We're fixed at
the same rate as last year
The question of exempting from tax
alton the polls of the members of
Western engine company No l of West
Brattleboro brought a series of in
terrogations from ]. L. Martin, and
from answers by Clerk F. II. Spauld-
ing it appeared that there were 25
names on the rolls of the company, the
| average attendance at the regular
meetings the past year had been six,
with no quorum, and officers were not
elected. A question from ]. G. Stat
ford brought out the fact that the en-
CINE had not been used in over three
years, and one from Mr.. Vinton that it
had not been tested, but Mr.. Spaulding
was positive that it was in proper con-
dition. On motion by DR.. HoltOn, it
was voted to exempt the polls provided
the selectmen were satisfied before
April 1st that the company was prop
erly organized and ready for effective
service, and the engine had been care
fully tested. DR.. Holton made this
motion after declaring that it was a
serious matter to leave West Brattle-
boro without proper fire protection.
James F. Hooker spoke in behalf of
Eugene Frost who has brought suit
against the town for $500, alleging that
his ice pond was damaged by water
and rubbish diverted from Maple
street by the change in grade made
there in 1897 and 1898. Mr.. Hooker
explained that the water formerly ran
into a natural hollow on the Hall es-
tate, but that after the grade was
changed the water ran down Maple
street, and then from Canal street to
the ice pond. He gave an itemized
account of expense incurred by Mr..
Frost in cleaning the drain and repair
ing the pond, showing that 1915 had
been expended. Mr.. Hooker said
that Mr.. Frost only wanted what was
Just and right, and would prefer to
have the expense paid rather than to
continue suit. Mr.. Martin said that
he had a smaller bill from Shumway
& Staples for 1892 damage and that
there were other small claims from
people living in the village. He said
the selectmen did not consider it in
their province to settle such accounts.
Mr.. Hooker argued that the damage
was the result of the change made by
the road commissioner and was not
incurred under ordinary Circumstance
es. The yea and nay voice was in
naulaA -