The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-08-14

we're apparently excited and exchang-
I'd wordy war; at one time 1t seemed
as if they would come to blows. But
what puzzled me was that these same
champions of the law, after the ad-
journment rode back to Danbury to-
gether as lovingly and peacefully as
two innocent lambs, laughing in their
sleeves, probably, at their simulated
hostility. How men could lampoOn
and BLACKBOARD each other as they did,
and remain friends, passed my youth
full comprehension Their charge to
the litigants was only $500 each!
Notwithstanding the fact that law
yer's fees in those days was ludicrous-
ly low, litigation was rare, for this is
the only case in New Fairfield that l
knew of between 1925 and 1910.
There rises before me the vision
of an old man, bent almost
double, pale, emaciated, walking with
difficulty with a cane, his head no
higher than his knees, muttering to
himself as he hobbled along. Some
here may recognize him in Sam
Spencer, living alone in remote thar
coal cabin in the woods, eking out a
precarious existence by making small
baskets and peddling them about town.
This unique figure fell to the town to
support; and on election days he was
carried to the polls, and-lifted by ultra
partisans high enough tocast bis ballot
in the box, as a travesty to honest
politics. Is it fair or manly or even
decent that town paupers should be
taken out to vote for any party, when
all parties are taxed for their support?
MOI a Thousand times no!
I might 60 on indefinitely in naming
men of the town who were prominent
locally IN the olden times-tirst class
men who could compare fav0rably with
their contemporaries in larger communi-
ties, where larger interests and indus
tries existed. 1t will be fortunate,
indeed if New Fairfield Of the present
day can show as many men OF equal
standing and character. The town is
handicapped in having practically but
lone ndustry-farming. The popu-
lation is decreasing in numbers. 1te
young men emigrate to larger fields OF
enterprise. It cannot be said of the
land here as it was said loosely OF
Vermont farmers, that they had te
sharpen the Sleeps noses to eat the
grass between the stones. Stephen A
Douglass, native of Vermont, went
to Illinois and became a power ir
national politics. He was accustomed
to say that Vermont was good state
to be born and reared in, but q gooc
state to emigrate from. There is phil
osophy in this statement. Cities ar,
not conducive to good morals in thu
rising generation. To be reared IL
rural New England towns, where tn
Puritan element has not been entirel.
obliterated, until the character ant
, habits are formed on sure basis o
virtue, and then go to the larger place
to engage in the pursuits of life, Civ
guarantee of success. The sons OF New
Fairfield who have emigrated to Dan
bury prove my point. They have beef
able to hold their own and share Il
. not leadD in civic and social honors
: All praise to those Sons Their glor
reflects on their native town
Il Carnegie, the great lronmaster Q
r Pittsburgh, entered on his career as a.
o Office boy; he made it point to ear
f for his employer twice the sum he re
ceived and make himself indispensable
to;him. 1t was thus that he rose fro1
s one step to another, till he reached th
. highest point. Being asked what wa
y essential to success, he replied, ''to b
= born poor and have an infinite capacit
for hard work"
n J. William Macy gave two pleasin
d selections. Mayor John R. Boot
q then gave an address. He wished
S thank the sons of New Fairfield fC
l. their kind invitation to be present an
r for the hospitality shown not only
S him but to all Danbury people, an
: hoped it would not be his last visit t
I enjoy such an occasion. Mayor Boot
S concluded that the officials Of Danbur
g were largely represented because th
k City hall was practically closed in ho1
}, or of the day. He spoke in highes
: terms Of the fine dinner, beautif,
e surroundings and also of the hant
= some young ladies of New Fairfield
y He referred to the glorious habit {
e former residents and natives returnin
d to their native home to renew oil
7, friendships.
Representative Martin German {
- Danbury spoke Of the glorious hosp
- tality of the sons OF New Fairfield an
~ their families, and of his pleasure
y being present and enjoying the occ;
- sion with them. J. William Mace
= rccited "The Praises OF Times Past.
g For encore he gave 1.-THE mistake Of
:. colored clergyman"
% Rev W. G.. Gritman, pastor Of tt
Methodist church, gave an address
J. He spoke OF his appreciation at bein
>, present at the splendid occasion an
y able to meet so many friends and a
4 quaintances and to enjoy the speech'
, Of the day. This gathering is gran
. occasion, he said, and he hoped the
would be continued until God shou]
= call the sons of New Fairfield to
higher realm. J. William Macy r
g cited "Watching the sparkling" an
for encore gave "The young men wal
.s ing.'
d Judge L. LIE Grand Hopkins the
thanked all present for their kind a
d tentlon and for their trouble in he'll