davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22
Tn. ,rteerity of the Diploma


The story told by a protesting
father at the school meeting Tuesda!
evening is one of deep human interest
and involves so many phases OF feel
ing with which we can all sympa-
thize as to seem almost beyond COO
analysis,
We can understand something oil
the perplexity and anxiety which
must be felt by those whose loyalty
10 the fixed standards of their WORN
Is brought into conflict with thelr
personal likes and sympathies ana
we can appreciate likewise the en-
barrassment and humiliation of pu-
nil and his friends, who find at the
last hour in the face of full gradual
ton preparations, that there is no di-
ploma Forthcoming. But we seem 10
have overlooked the vital point IN TINS
unhappy occurrence,-the real INJURY
that has been done to the general IN
tegfltN Oh the ulplpii'''
The weakness of humanity demands
some fixed and Interchangeable Things
70 lean upon to pull itself up by, so to
sneak. in the uphill path it has to
follow Some things,-mothers, Tor
instance. and Iaws-ought always to
mean Just what they say and say just
what they mean. Diplomas properly
belong in this class. They should be
an absolute guarantee of a certain
standard of mental ability reached
and well maintained by their holders
Otherwise-if they may be bestowed
as favors, or by way of coincidence or
compromise-what are they worth?
Nothing,
II was shown at the school meeting
that the young man in question re-
ceived dploma-tardily-
his work in Latin had been pro-
nounced by his teacher deficient. The
compromise required of the pupil TO
the teacher who refused to find him
suitably proficient in Latin was that
he receive no diploma at the gradu-
alton exercises Thursday evening"
that of the teacher to the pupil was
that she withdraw such refusal next
dav. The value of such a compro-
mise diploma was we'll understood by
the father, who said IF my son was
not entitled to a diploma Thursday
evening, he was not entitled to it
Friday morning"
The hope has been expressed that
this unfortunate occurrence may
prove a wholesome lesson to the pu-
pills in the lower grades The hope
may we'll be extended to cover COM
mittee, teachers, parents and citizens
generally.
If our graduation standards are too
high let us lower them a little: but
such as they are, let us all, old and
young, high and low, respect them as
something with which our ambitions,
sympathies, likes or dislikes, pride or
convenience, may not NEEDLE.
When we issue diplomas let them
be certificates that mean something
worth having to the holder, as GER
tain guarantee of standard well and
certain margin.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22
MATTERS OF OPINION.
Selected from the Editorial Columns
OF Our Esteemed Contemporaries.
A Job for Another Lawyer
Montpelier Journol.l

Among other matters, the commit
tee on judiciary and law reform OF
the Vermont Bar association recon-
mends to the members of the asso-
citation that they take action, looking
to the security of legislation, provid-
ing for an attorney general of the
state who shall be counsel to the
governor and heads of departments
in the state and shall have general
oversight of all law business In which
the state is interested and shall as
sist county prosecuting attorneys in
all cases when It appears necessary.
The lawyers ought to know best about
the need of an attorney general and
the action of the association In Au-
gust will be awaited with some In
terest.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

Sentiment in Addison county strong
ly favors the reelection of Senator
Redfeld Proctor, according to a st.
Adams Messenger representative who
has been interviewing various per-
sonages in that field. The feeling
against Mr.. Proctor during the time
when the license law was the chief
issue in the state is said to have been
due wholly to the fact that he was
supposed to be allied with the pro-
hibition forces. 1t was not that the
people did not want Proctor but that
they wanted license. They are said
to be loyal to him not only on account
of his fitness for the position but be-
cause he has in so many instances
advanced Addison county interests In
field like this there seems little
chance for reverberation in the case
of the Middlebury Registers little
boom for an unknown candidate.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22
No Underhand Tactics Tolerated.

Orange county republicans are most
certainly entitled to their own views
on the liquor question just the same
as other people are, but. if they are
planning to mask any assault upon
the local option law by the good
Lord good-devil resolutions passed at
their recent convention, it is time the
friends of the law were on their guard.
Every town representative should
pledge himself to stand on the repub-
lican state platform, and Orange
county republicans cannot shirk that
responsibility by evasive resolutions.
Those who are not for US are against
us every time. Remember that
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

Brattleboro may well be proud oil
the Rev Guy C. Lamson, one of her
boys, who has been called from his
work at Montpelier to larger field
and wider opportunities, with cores
bonding salary, as assistant pastor in
the largest Baptist church in the
country. His record indicates that he
win grow with his opportunities and
strengthen with his added labors
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

The Barre Times insists that any
voter who believes the local option
law should be repealed and prohibit
tory enacted in its place cannot
consistently vote for any other ticket
than that of the prohibitionlsts. The
trouble with this argument is that
more than one question of state in
terest is involved when a man votes.
The people of Vermont have lived UNI
der both prohibitory and local option
license laws and they know that nei-
Their state salvation or state ruin
hinges wholly on the liquor question.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

A correspondent to the New York
Times suggests. as simple way OF
meeting the trust evil, making the
state an equal partner In all the
trusts net profits, But II the trusts
are greedy and INSCRIPTIONS, as Is
charged, dsregardng both law and
national prosperity, wouldn't that be
an "unholy alliance?
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

Vegetarians are now booming their
anti-meat theories and the fish in
terests are expounding the value of
the phosphorescent fish as food. And
humanity, with a wary eye on the
progress of the packers strike, is fall
ing into line assentingly. How eager
we all are to veil stern Necessity!
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

Mrs. Mary II. Hunt, who was said
to have said that no moderate drink
err was fl TO express an opinion on
the liquor question, writes to the New
York Times to say that she never said
what they said she said, and more
over that she is not saying whether
what was said would or would not
have been said by her II she had said
anything about ii.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22
Mustn't Have Convictions.

white River Junction Landmark
one would think from the slurs and
taunts hurled at four delegates in a
congressional convention held in this
state a short time ago that they had
committed a crime IN voting for some
one else than the present representa-
tive TO serve the district the next
term. Hasn't a voter a right TO ex-
press his convictions even if they run
contrary to the wish Of representa-
tive or senator 10 be returned?
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22
But What Of the Good Roads Issue7
[Londonderry sifter.l

The roads in this section are certain
IL as good as they are anywhere. There
are some places, OF ssurse, which might
be improved but on the whole the
roads are as good as they VIII average
IN any section where the land is of a
similar nature. The roads may be
impossible near st. Adams but they
are not so near Rut}and.-Rutland
News,
Just so over this way. We are right
in among the mountains and hills but
our roads are fairly good and we are
making them better as fast as we learn
how and are able 10 meet the expense.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

The Mortified News offers balm
for wounded republican ambition in
the suggestion that a part Of the SOL
der vote. lost at Manassas this fan
win probably be democratic and
will Offset another part Of the repub-
lican voters. Some people in Yer
mont believe that the education of
her soldiers. as well as a number OF
other state matters. greatly super
sedes in Importance the rolling up of
big republican majorities.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22
He is on His Good Behavior.
TRandolph Her0Id and News.l

Clement inspected the liquor law
declaration IN the state platform be-
fore 1t was reported and pronounced
It good He has since made a liberal
contribution TO the campaign fund. 1t
appears as II Percy were pretty thor
oughly pacifled Certainly the plat
form and the candidates cannot be
distasteful TO him this year.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

What Mr.. Bell as cattle commits
sioner may have done or may have
failed to do is of no consequence in
his campaign for governor unless it
can be shown that he exceeded the
authority the law gave him. Mr.. Bell
did not make the law.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22
A Good Story, but


Several ruralities were intently
watching an electric fan in a Chest
nut street store window the other
day. and TO the amusement of a by
stander the one said TO the other;
Gee, but that must be wonderful
squirrel when he can travel around at
a speed like that"
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

If, as we are assured, the republican
state platform really means some
thing definite for the advancement of
Vermont interests this year. then the
next Legislature has the prospect of
unusually difficult and important
work to perform and its members
should be selected with the greatest
care. As a people We should remem-
Der that we are sending men to the
legislature to have a hand in shaping
the states future--a future in which
we are adj likely. to share-and not as
mere compliment or favor Such
work demands the very best and wis
est workers.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

The story of the mistaken would-be
lynchers at Havana, told in our news
columns today, illustrates well one Of
the terrible dangers that must always
attend the illegal punishment of
wrong doors. A person may be wholly
innocent, but stand no chance of es-
cape from a frenzied, but mistaken
mob.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

The Enosburg Falls savings bank
and trust company has increased its
deposits some 100000 during the past
year We do not claim that the local
option law is the cause of this graft
flying condition of affairs.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

The universal admiration evoked by
Judge PaTker's courage Is another
proof Of the accuracy of Hosea Big
lows statement that the people "du
like q man tibet aiut afeard.'
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

lNefgennes EhtefpfIse'I
1t viii be perfectly proper for all can
didates for the legislature to declare
themselves on the important ques-
tions, in order that the win of the
majority of voters may be fulfilled.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22
Be Duly Thankful.

Some Vermont democrats who took
hurried trips abroad during the Bryan
campaign can safely remain at home
under the leadership Of Parker.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

Taxation kills Vermont indus
tries" says an exchange. Taxation
does one good thing anyway-it
pays the bills.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

There's some talk among the DEM
ocrats Of nominating fusion ticket
ut their county convention next week.
What the scheme will amount to is
an open question, but it's doubtful if
it will have any effect on the republic
can majority this year Perhaps a
strong local option man could make a
good bid for one of the senatorial
plums but it's more likely that he
would get what the democratic nom
inees for county offices generally get
The only way the democrats can be
sure Of electing a candidate this
year is to place their endorsement on
one who has already been nominated
by the republicans.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

Orange county republicans are
a brainy lot, and the aggregated po-
ltical wisdom of Vermont isn't APP
parently as great as the massive in
tellect of ]. K. Darling. Mr.. Darling
was in state convention; he helped to
shape things there; he knows that
the wisest Vermonters do not favor
repeal, and yet, for purposes Of his
own. he hammered resolution
through the Orange county convention
that is for all practical purposes a d.
rect reputation of the stand pat IL
quor plank of the state platform.
What does the narrow-visioned Darl-
ing type of man care for state plat
form? What can he have Of party
loyalty when he thus stmtifies HIM
self and his county by opposing a par
ty principle? What excuse has this j,
X, Darling for voting the republican
ticket, anyway? He belongs with
the Comings crowd. He won't stand
pat.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22
BRATTLEBORO BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DACHELpER Mandolin and Guitar school,
ID 30 Old Terrace street. Bellows Falls, Vt.
Thorough instruction by mail; send stamp for
catalogue and terms 70 IT.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

My brother Sawyer of the Hardwick
Gazette seems to be Mortified at my
remark about DeBoer's little army
making no apologies to Bells big one
on the basis Of intellect, hustle, etc.
Proper enough remark, l think Why
should they apologize? / wouldn't say
a word against Bells sturdy friends
and | like Bells quiet manly ways,
but l want to reiterate that Vermont
will hear more from that DeBoer
crowd" before she is four years older
Don't let the fact escape your cogni-
Zance.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

Reminds me of Sadie Green, a vii
lage belle Of Ospringe, Ont, who was
one of my earliest flames. Sadie hau
never seen a street car and when the
cars arrived in Guelph We had to take
3 ride. Enter the conductor. Fare, .
said he TO Sadie, and Sadie blushed.
Your fare" repeated the conductor.
And Sadie, bridling with pleasure,
said, Thanks: think your mustache
is real pretty. too"
Yours inside the limit.
H L. Hindley.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

Every opera house manager and
most newspaper men know Charley
Prouty for years head of rep. shows
on the New England circuits. Charley
worked for ], c. Rockwell, the Klark-
Urban company and probably score
of others. He was always a hustler,
always a little different and now he
has leased an opera house and an inn
in Bennington and is trying the shell
tered life. Prouty has made lots OF
money for other people in his life
wonder If he can make some for him.
self?
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

John H. Donnelly. the perpetual OPP
timist, came home from st. Louis
armed with the wings of the morning.
He made several soaring flights for
my benefit. "Grandest Scene in His
tory" Most Wonderful Gathering in
the World" THE Biggest Thing at
the Fair We're a few of his joyous
phrases. Parker" queried John,
why. he's Just as sure to be the next
president as the sun is sure to rise
tomorrow. Man after man who voted
for Mckinley in 1900 has shaken my
hand since I got back, and said, John,
I'm with you once again. Wen bring
the republican majority down to 25,-
600 in this state just as sure as you're
a foot high Well, John, here's hop
ing
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

Two-Dollar Bill, the sporting phil
osopher of the Burlington Clipper, al
lows that | would make a proper
member of Gov. Bells staff of gold
lace colonelsl Well, 1 wonder. Bill
also says a lot of w. C. 7. U. delegates
got to bothering him on the train and
he passed 'em along to me. Bill might
have passed up the delegates. but that
is the only thing that got by him. As
for the colonel proposition, I'd really
much prefer a job in the legislature,
carrying with it a very large salary
and a very small amount of labor.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22
THE MEDDLER.
~ ne coat hts PIT Il on"

Brattleboros three candidates for
town representative are not saying
much but 1t is to be presumed that
they are saving considerable wood
on the quiet. Mr.. Gibson's friends
are doing lot OF talking In his be-
half Mr. Fits Is beginning to look
after his political fences and Mr..
Crosby is attending to his railroad
business. trusting to the sincerity OF
his supporters and his qualifications
for the office 10 land him as a winner,
OF course he win have to put In a
little work between now and caucus
time but he is not the man who VIII
neglect private affairs for the saks Of
political preferment, The fight
promises to be exceedingly interesting
II all three candidates go into eau
Gus. Mr. Gibson is counting on the
support of a large portion of the To-
cai option element. and will in all
probability get what he's counting
on. Mr. Fits intends to appropriate
most of the prohibition vote and can
be depended upon to have his support
formidably organized. Mr.. Crosby is
likely TO draw pretty heavily from
both these factions The caucus will
undoubtedly be the most interesting
event of the year as far as local pol
itics are concerned. Here's hoping
the best man wins.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

President James +. Hooker of the
Vermont republican league is plan
ming for a monster rally in Brattleboro
sometime In August after he has COM
pleted the formation of a republican
club in every town In the county. II
it's for Bell and Stearns that the hur-
rah is being planned The Meddler
can venture. a guess on how many
torches wi3l be in line. with all due
respect to the farmer candidate for
governor it viii have to be admitted
that he hasn't caused many sore
throats in this section. But with
Teddy and Mr.. +. as the enthusiasm
creators the idea takes a different as
pect. There are plenty of republicans
In every town in the county who are
willing to burn holes in their straw
hats and get grease spots on their
clothes for the national standard
hearers
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

Every spring the voters in the vii
lage have the pleasure Of reading an
encomium on the local fire depart
ment. AS they turn over the pages
Of the annual village report they
learn that the results obtained by
the department are due in large de-
gree to the promptness with which
alarms are responded to and the
.fearlessness and intelligent work Of
the members when the scene of the
fire Is reached" They are also inform
ed that "as a flre-fghting machine the
department as it stands today is the
embodiment of much that modern sell
ence and mechanical ingenuity has
been able to devise, manned by men,
intelligent, courageous and devoted
It's a great thing for a community the
size of this village to have such per-
fectly organized fire department and
it's a shame we occasionally forget
some Of the adjectives that so fittingly
describe it and have to look them up
in the village report
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

1t takes a brilliant genius or a con-
ceited egotist to rise superior to ma
iority rule. And Darling, of course, is
a brilliant genius.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

geo, H. G0RHAM, NJ D., Whitney block,
" Main Street, BTattlebOro. Practice limited
to the diseases Of the Eye, Ear, Throat and
Nose Office hours a:S0to ~ 70 p. m, Tues
days and Fridays only. Remainder Of week at
Bellows Falls lsu
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22
RRATTLEBoRo. FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1904

1Tsefp At osAT7lfooso pOsr ofaot As SECOND CLASS MAI
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

Ny native modesty forbids reprint
ing the very kind verbal bouquet
hurled my way by Editor Johnson of
the Randolph Herald last week. but,
Luther DEAR I'm properly overwhelm-
ed nevertheless.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

The local merchant who has placed
an iee-water barrel at the disposal of
the thirsty public is probably catering
for the w. c. T. L. trade.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

For topsy- turvy politics, was there
ever anything stranger than Charles
]. Bell. who, as a member of the cattle
commission ordered the killing of 1000
cows in Chittenden county for tubercu-
losis and was execrated wherever far
mers met together, now the triumphant
candidate of the very class that most
condemned him.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

Il, H. O'C0NNOR NJ. D., Physician and sur
T.. ge0n ONCE Bank block Hours 10 81;
to sp m Residence Bullock st. Telephone.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22
PLAIN TALK FOR PLAIN PEOPLE,
Crisp and Breezy Comment on Mat
ters in the Public Eye.

(Written Tor the kefofmef)
MY friend Whitney of the Mortified
News wants TO know why with my
knowledge on the subject" | predicted
DeBoer's nomnation-if his name
were presented In convention. Well,
the principal reason Is because l did
MI know any better il you viii insist
Predicting is a dangerous pastime, as
| said once before, but what gave a
basis for the prophecy that went
wrong was the assurance | had from
several enthusiastic De Boer men that
they wouldn't sacrifice" their man. |
took this to mean that If after a
calm review of the situation In Mont
pelier there weren't enough De3oer
votes to make It no choice on the
hrst ballot, they would withdraw their
candidate. Well, they knew, we adj
knew that when Rutland county went
to Bell It was all off. Why. after that,
Lord, Rowland Il Co. didn't gracefully
bow to the inevitable don't know. It's
what they should have done anyway
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-07-22

Which reminds me of Judge Bliss
of Middlebury, one of the most bitter
verb ehewers and adjective eaters In
Vermont When he gets started. The
Judge once sent In an article TO n pa
per worked on that contained quo
tation from Scott. II was misquoted
and l ventured to call the old mans
attention to it, He fired about 5000
ems of agate abuse at me and wound
up by saying: Il want you to under
stand that that's the way Scott ought
to have written it,"
The Alaska prospector., 1904-03-31
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

That is reasoning for you. A wag- on road from here through the copper and gold deposits of the Copper river valley will invite the building of a line from some other point to any old place. which will render the wagon road worse than superfuous. If the editor of the Journal was in any way familiar with this part of Alaska, he would know that the topography of the country is such that Valdez need have nc fear of a line from another port rendering the wagon road su- perhuous. A railroad from any other point on this coast will not touch the country tributary to Valdez, which the proposed wagon road will open up.