davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1904-02-24
Lafayette Improving.

At present Lafayette is ex-
periencing a period of steady
and substantial improvements.
The principal business street
has just been widened, and con-
crete side walks are being rap
idly placed on both sides. A
number of two-story brick build
ings have been and are being
erected. with others to be built
in the near future. Concrete
side walks are contracted for or
ordered over ON number of
streets, and new houses are in
course of construction in various
parts of town. And it is notice
able that nearly an the new
houses are neat, comfortable
cottage homes, which add to the
appearance of the town. There
are no vacant houses, and the de.
mand for rent houses is steady,
which evidences that the popu-
lation is increasing faster than
homes can be provided. Resi-
dence and business lots are held
at a good figure and sell, which
is another evidence of the growth
of the town, and proves that the
people here have confidence in
the continuance of the present
substantial improvements.
The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1904-02-24
Witnesses
ParkersOn.

Parkerson.
CHAS. d. CAFFEEY,
Notary Public.
Filed and recorded same date. Jan.
!. 1904, Book Miscellaneous Acts page
1893.
F. X. HOPKINS,
Deputy Clerk Of Court.
A true copy of the original on file
and of record in my Office.
Attest this January Is, 1904.
F. K. HOPKINS,
Deputy Jerk Of Court.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-12-15
THE CLOSE OF THE SESSION.

The Legislature has adjourned.
The Senators and Representatives
have returned to their homes and the
State can once again settle down in
to the regular course of events. The
center of interest for two months has
been in the Capitol and there have
fiocked the people by hundreds, drawn
by various influences to interest them
selves in the work of the lawmakers
Some have been moved by curiosity
alone, some have desired to learn how
statutes are made, some have sought
to secure legislation in which they
were interested. Of this latter class
there have been private LOBBYISTS and
professional lobbyists some with in
fuen1e for good legislation, some
for indiffe emit and some for bad
A mass of LEGISLATION has been en-
acted A large part of this has been
Of private nature-oorporation bills
and the like-but much of a public
nature has also become law. 1t will
require some time to take an account
of stock and to find out just what
has been done, for the customary
rush of the closing days has almost
= buried the officials with bills. 1t is
probably true that more important
subjects have been considered by this
Legislature tnan by any other Legis.
lature, within the last decade at least.
Whether the action uIon these sub
jects has been in all cases wise is an.
other question. Most of the import.
ant public measures have been dealt
with since the Thanksgiving recess
and some apparently have been scarce
ly considered that seemed worthy Of
careful attention. The majority Of
the members had before them the fact
that each additional day of the session
meant over a Thousand dollars expense
to the State, and blinded by that il
the closing days rushed through APP
preparation bills and other measures
involving tens of thousands and hun
dreds of thousands of dollars withou
culver. The result may have beef
wise, but if so, it is more luck thai
aught else.
Some meritorious measures hay'
become law that are out of the ordi
nary run Of legislation. The Legisla
ture of 1904 will be remembered ant
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-12-15
ROTTEN.

The passage of the bill for revising
the laws, under existing circumstances
and conditions, was an act that one
word only fifty cterizes-rotten.
Held back till and brought up in the
last hour of the session-and night
session with all its possibilities for
evil-what opportunity was there for
deliberation on measure of so much
Importance. involving an expenditure
of some $25, 900 - the approximate
cost of the last revision authorized
ny the Legislature of 1899? What was
the purpose Of taking up this measure
for consideration and action during
the delirium of the death of the
session? Why slept the executive pen
that was quick and brave to veto a
petty bill respecting witness fees?
True, regard may not have been paid
to executive objections on the ground
that necessity for the revision of the
laws at this time had not been made
to appear, that the desirabilIty Of the
measure or necessity for it so soon
after the revision began under the Act
of 1892 might well be questioned, and
the fevered tumult of the last moments
of night session were not favorable
to the proper asoertaining of this mat
ter-with other considerations it is
needless to mention; but His Excel
lency, if he has the Roman virtue on
which he has appeared to plume
himself, would smile at legislative
disregard of his Directing message.
He would, at least, have done some-
thing during the session to which he
might, indeed, "point with pride, ="
and on the strength of which he might
appeal to the people.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-12-15
DEER PLENTY-DOGS ALSO

Editor Daily Journal While re-
turning from Montpelier on Sunday
afternoon, when near the Frank Lewis
place l saw two deer, fair sized buck
and small doe, cross the road per-
haps fifteen rods ahead, They seemed
disturbed and were & DING across the
country to the west on the jump.
About one jump in six the doe would
leap about fifteen feet in the clear,
apparently just for the fur of the
thing, and to see if the buck could
keep up. which he had hard work to
do.
| watched them across the moving,
field and pasture and up the side of
the mountain. 1t was pretty pic
ture. Just then | heard the dogs upon
the lodges to the right turned the
horse around and went back somewhat
quickly to where the deer had jumped
the wire fences ON either side of the
road l had waited somewhere be-
tween one and two minutes when
three hounds in full cry came down to
the road. They we're following the
scent so closely and making so much
noise about it that they did not notice
me until peremptorily ordered dis.
continuance of the chase without date.
Having no other weapons | fired
some high colored and explosive Lam
guage charged with steel jacketed and
expanding sentiments at them. This
had the desired effect and the dogs
fastened to accept my invitation to
get from there. They took the. back
trail up through the white birch tim
Der, and as they seemed to halt be-
tween two opinions" on the top of the
lodges gave them parting shot for
! the benefit of the hunters, who might
be lurking in the brushes. They were
intelligent LOOKING dogs, wearing col
ars, but totally misinformed in regard
1 to Vermont fish and game laws. They
evidently belong to party of Italians,
who use them to hunt rabbits every
| Sunday in the vicinity of Dudley's
back farms, but they are rapidly form
| ing habits, which, if followed up,
will lead to destruction of their
usefulness for anything but sausage.
On the evening of the same dav II.
b. Chaplin and George P Miles saw a
herd of six deer in field near Ed
Rumney 's--four does and two bucks.
These were not bit timid and
skipped and played pranks with each
other, and finally under the lead of
one big fellow started off in the1di-
reotion of Charlie Virgins pasture.
Up to date the deer seem to be in the
pink of condition.
| j. A, Chaplin,
| Middlesex, Vt Dec. B, 1904.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-12-15
SURPRISES IN SENATE.

Some surprises were in store when
the Senate met on Friday evening for
the last session. With Senator G.. H.
Prouty in the presidents chair Sena.
tor W. A. Lord was delegated to lead
President @. II. Stearns to the bar of
the Senate. On the table was mag
nificent cut glass punch bowl. This,
Senator Lord, in his characteristic
manner, presented to Mr.. Stearns in
the form of reprimand for the i'm
partial manner in which he had pre-
sided over the Senate and as an ex-
preston of the esteem in winch he is
held both as a friend and presiding
officer. President Stearns was so
deeply affected that it was some time
before he could speak to express his
heartfelt thanks for the courtesy
shown him and for the beautiful
gift.
Another surprise was awaiting Rev.
M W. FarHan, chaplain of the Sen
ate. when he, too, was led forth to
receive his reprimand by Senator Fish
in behalf of the Senate. Senator Fish
expressed the sentiments of the Sen.
ate when he said that the members
had been greatly helped by his cheer
fulness and words of guidance. He
then tucked wad Of warm bills
amounting to 1857 in the hand of the
blind chaplain. Mr.. Farman SAID it
was seldom clergyman was found
guilty of holding roll of bills so
large and he expressed his thanks for
the kindly interest manifested in his
welfare. He said from the time he
had been in Montpelier including the
time he was at the hospital he had re-
ceived the very essence of kindness on
every side.
The organization of the Senate was
perfected by the election of O. II.
Stearns. president, George fl. Prouty,
vice president, and w. K. Farnsworth,
secretary.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-12-15
FEELS E ERHR|gI}| YOUNGER,
The New Medicine, Cal cura Solvent, Warmly
Praised by Mrs. Chaffee. Or. David Ken.
nedy's Latest Medicine.

When DIR. David Kennedy said he re-
garded Cal-cura Solvent, his aeio medicine
for the Kidneys, Liver and Blood, as the
browning achievement of his life, he made
no mistake, as hundreds who have used it
testify. Here is one letter short and to
the point;
RUTLAND, W., August 9Th, 1902.
"Dedr Sirs:
Ihave never taken any medicine that did
me so much good as DIR. Kennedy's latest
medicine, Cal-cura Solvent. L can work
hard all day and can do more work than L
could even thirty years ago. am SO years
of age and never felt better in my life"
Gratefully yours, MRS. A. +. CliAFFEE.
Remember, Cai-ourG SoICent cures $3.50
ofdU cases Of Ridney, Bladder and Liver
disorders. You may have a free sample
bottle of this wonderful medicine, and de-
scriptive booklet, by simply sending your
name and address to The Cal-cura Com
pany, Kennedy Row, Rondout, NY. Large
bottles LOO (only one sige) all druggists,
or if they do not have it, send to the above
proprietOrs.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-12-15

who stated that the woman was an
offspring of iniquity" and was no
more to blame than Perham, Mrs.
Bates and Knapp. The speaker said
| that IL men reverenced woman on
all occasions, the standard of woman
would long ago have been raised so
that there could now be no Mary
Rogers to hang. A chief reason for
his support of this bill lay in the
fact that the criminal was a woman.
Since we have made place for
woman and discriminate against her
in all matters, we should not deal
with her thus as criminal.
Mr.. Archibald of Manchester felt
the responsibility of the hour. He
denied that the majesty Of the law !
would be upheld by strsngliDg this
woman and did not believe the State
would be benefited by taking her
appreciation OF right and wrong, and
held the State responsible for not
taking her when she was young and
training her in the right way. He
quoted her as saying she had never
had a chsnce-had learned more in
Jail than she had outside of it. He
asked that this chance be given her
Others who spoke in favor of COM
mutation were Mr.. Darling of Chel-
sea, Mr., Waite of Hyde Park, Mr..
Dartt of Springfield, Mr.. Newton of
Reading, Mr.. Taft of Waltham and
Mr.. Shaw of Marlboro.
Mr.. Grout of Derby was the chief
speaker against Communication He
paid high compliment to Mr.. O'Sul-
Ivan eloquence but did not believe
in being swept away by sympathetic
fiouriqhes. The jury and judge have
undergone it already and having
heard it, Mary Rogers was vet found
guilty We are in poor position to
place ourselves in the courts attitude.
1t is awful to execute, but it is awful
for one human being to take into her
hands the life of another. The
speaker alluded to the revolving
nature Of the crime. There should be
! as much sympathy and as many tears
around the bier uf the murdered man
as there should be here about the
gallows. Vote, said the speaker,
with this thought firmly rooted in
your mind.
Mr.. HilliaId of Cabot did not be-
lieve he had the right to vote to COM
mute in the face of the law. Mr..
o Brien opposed the bill.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-12-15
Thursday, December Is, 1904.
A NEW BALLOT LAW.

1t is stated by the New York papers
that in the recent election in New
York county, where there was total
vote of 800, 495 there were only sixty
two defective ballots cast and Lib
blanks. Only sixty-two defective bal
lots in total of nearly $40, 900 is a
remarkable record, one that speaks
we'll for the intelligence of the New
York voter, and also for the clearness
of the election system in New York.
There were 1890 ballots on which
mistakes had been made that were re-
turned by the voters, who asked for
new ballots in their places. That was
their right, nor was it particularly
large number in comparison with the
total vote thrown. The surprising
part of it is that never before, so it is
said, were so many split ballots cast,
and it is frequently on these split bal
lots that mistakes are made. Anoth-
er curiosity of the election was that
one of the district electors on the
presidential ticket received a larger
vote than that given to either of the
electors-at large of the same party.
These statements, be it remembered,
do not apply to the entire State of
New York, but merely to the county
of that name, which includes Man
haitian and the Bronx Boston Her
aid.
These figures are much more favor
able than any that can be shown for
Vermont. While there were only
sixty-two defective ballots in a total
of about $40, 600 IN New York there
have sometimes been nearly that
number in a twentieth part Of the
number of votes. Nobody would for
a minute care to assert that the aver
age voter in Vermont is less intelli-
gent than in New York. The contra
~ is probably true. What, then. is
the cause Of so much larger percent
age of defective ballots?
The answer is to be found in the
difference beween the election laws of
the State, and probably not the least
effective difference is that which re-
lates to the ballots and the marking
of the same. In New York over the
party columns on the ballots are sym
bols, such as an eagle, a star, or a
lamb. This symbol is the same
throughout the State and the voters
know that if they put cross in the
square beneath the eagle they are
voting for the Republican candidates,
and if they put a cross beneath the
star they are voting for Democratic
candidates, and so for the others. 1t
makes it so that the illiterate voter
can I, ark his vote correctly without
assistance. In Vermont there are
some illiterates who are too proud to
ask for assistance and as result
their ballots are spoiled. Other vot-
ers think they understand how to mark
their ballots but fail to make clear
what candidates they mean to vote
for. The symbol system is help no
doubt and Vermont may we'll try it.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-12-15

John" Merrifield, Speaker Of the
House. purse containing 800. Mr..
O'Sullivan said in part as follows
Your fellow members desire to
offer you this small purse Of gold, not
for what it is in itself, but as sym
Dol of their sentiments toward you.
Gold represents value and excellence,
and we wish to proclaim our belief
in your worth and integrity. Gold
energies from the fiery crucible pure
and untarnished, and you, sir. have
come out of many critical trials with
the lustre of your reputation for hon.
esty, justice, fairness and courtesy
more resplendent than ever. Gold
symbolizes love, and we wish, sir,
in frank, manly way to offer you
the assurance of our friendship, es-
TEEN and affection.
Mr.. Merrifield said: "Father O'Sul-
livan and my friends-I thank YOU
with all my heart for this gift. From
the morning on which we first as
sembled up to these closing hours 1
have received from you all, members
and officers, and all connected with
this session, the utmost courtesy and
kindness. l appreciate, more than |
can tell you. what you have done
for me. 1t will be precious memory
to me as long as l live. Again l thank
v0u ~
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-12-15
CLOSING SESSION.

Friday night was a turbulent one
at the State House. The Governor
was busy signing bills all night and
the Senate and House in intermittent
spells ground out the material. After
~ O'Clock the House became restless
and after finishing the fifteen minutes
recess took another of an hour How
ever, the members were at it steady
all day and were pretty we'll tired out
before night fell on the Assembly
The Senate went into executive
session about two Saturday morning
and confirmed the appointment of
George S. Foster of Putney as SO per-
visor of the State hospital for the
insane. Speculation was rife around
the corridors as to what the Senate
would do concerning the Governor 5
appointment of Luther A. Cobb of
Island Pond to be inspector of finance.
The deadlock between the Governor
and the Senate over this appointment
still exists and the Senate for second
time refused to confirm the appoint
ment 1t appears that the Senate has
gained victory, for according to the
bill recently passed the present in =
cumbent of the office shall hold the
same until his successor is appointed
and confirmed. f. S. Plat is the
present inspector of finance and will
so remain as the Senate will not con
| firm Cobb's appointment. The APP
poIntment Of Charles II. Markham
of Ponfret for trustee of the Vermont
State Hospital for the Insane was
ordered to lie.
One of the first things the House
took up at the evening session was
the consideration of House bill 53S
raising the tax on corporations The
only section of debate was the amend.
ment by the Senate making the tax or
railroads % per cent. on gross receipts
instead of 24, Mr.. Durick of Castle
ton urged that the House insist OIL
the original rate and cited figures tC
show that railways are inadequately
taxed. He tackled the railroad lobby
lists in plain terms, Mr.. Agan Of
Ludlow defended the measure saying
that the railroads were paying theil
fair share of taxes. They are running
at loss and paying no dividends oil
stock. Several others spoke in favor
of the amendment among whom wer,
were Mr.. Waite of Hyde Park, Mr.
Bullard of Burlington, Mr.. Archi
bald of Manchester, Mr.. O'Sullivar
of St. Adams and Mr.. Miles of Bar
ton. The amendment was then con
CURED in.
S 2, relating to placing of name
of candidates of more than one PARTY
on official ballot The House adopted
report of the conference comm tte'
which provided that such candidate
may Withdraw from the severa
tickets Mt their option, at specified
times in advance of election.
Bills were passed in concurrence
appropriating 81, 900 for repair o
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-12-15
SENATE-AFTERNOON.
Wednesday, Dec.

Weuhesuhy, OeC' T.
Passed H 155. making Sunday a
close season. H. 1871, extension of
Whithehill and Granville r. r.. H.
311, preferred stock for Springfield
Electric Railway Co H 324, amend
ing charter of Rutland r. r. Co. H.
1874, relating to abatement of taxes !;
H 400, amending chartre of Hartford
Street Railway 90. H. 495, providing
for care of Bennington Battle monu-
ment H. 497, incorporating North
ern Mutual Fire Insurance Co. II.
SOB, relating to compensation of the
various commissioners in the State ;
H. 519, school meetings in towns
where three are incorporated school
districts; H. 522, to pay claims al
lowed By court of claims; II, 104,
plurality election of Representatives ;
II 2S0, to annex part of town of Ira
to town of Castleton; H. 243, relating
to salary Of county clerks; II. 49S,
distribution of State reports, etc. ;
H 402, relating to CHAMBERS in horses ;
II, 433, to prevent cruelty to live
stock. Several amendments made.
Third Reading. H. 172, relating
to preservation of forests. Amended
on recommendation of committee.
Sections and are struck ont. Sen.
Mattison queried as to the real scope
of the bill. Sem Stevens Of Chitten-
den, explained that it was to prevent
forest fires; H. 499, collateral inheri.
tahoe tax bill; H. 470, service Of
justice writs.
Killed. H 80, fire escapes in
hotels. ETC.. !; S, so, So, relating to
railroads; S. 142, disposition of un-
claimed property.
Concurrence Refused. S. 2. re-
lating to official ballots. The Senate
refused to concur in the amendments.
Killed. H. AZ, weekly payment
bill; H. 800, relating to insurance
brokers'; H. 412, refunding munich
pal Indebtedness; II. ASP, granite
wall for State House yard.
A large number Of minor bills re-
lating to town incorporating
grand lists, etc. were passed.
Adopted in Concurrence. = Joint
resolution from House relating to pay
of messenger in State library. Joint
resolution from House providing for
final adjournment of General Assem-
bly, at a. m, Saturday.
Adjourned.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-12-15
SENATE MORNING.
Thursday, Dec. s

thursday, Dec. .,
Bill Introduced. S. III by Sen
Ashley from the committee on mill
tary affairs to pay Ann Story chapter
$500 for support of Mrs. Esther Da-
mon, widow of a Revolutionary SOL
der Ordered to lie and be printed.
Adopted. Joint resolution by SEN
Carpenter of Rutland, TO pay the ex-
penses Of the committee which inves.
tigated the condition of the Benning-
ton Battle Monument; Joint resolu-
tion by Sen. Lord of Washington, pro-
viding for extension of time for en-
crossing of bills.
Passed. IS. III, the license bill
amending present statutes; S. 80, re-
lating to taxation of savings bank de-
posts; S. l72, relating to attorney
general; s. 1873, imposing certain du-
ties on directors of State prison and
house of correction.
Adjourned
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-12-15
MARY ROGERS TO HANG.
Legislature Refuses to Commute Her
Sentence bv Vote of 139 to 81.

Mary Rogers will hang on Febru-
AIRY for the murder of her husband,
Mark Rogers. Her last chance lay in
the possibility of the Legislature
committing her sentence to life inn
prisonment; but this, that body re-
fused to do by vote OF 1879 to 81.
The Hall Of Representatives was
crowded to its full capacity and in
tense interest was manifested during
the entire period of debate which
lasted from $50 until shortly after 4
O'Clock Mary Rogers will be the
first woman hanged in Vermont since
Emeliue L. Meaker suffered that fate
in 1883 for the murder of her nine
years-old child, The horrible crime
of Mary Rogers needs no rehearsihg,
She murdered her husband by ohloro-
forming him after she had tied his
hands behind him under the pretense
OF playing friendly trick.
All that eloquence could do for
Mrs. Rogers was done, and there was
not a person present who was not
affected by the earnest pleas in her
behalf by Mr.. O'SuIlivan of St,
Adams and MIR. Archibald OF Man
chester. Not one questioned her guilt
and even Mr.. Archibald, who was one
of her attorneys, admitted that there
was no doubt that she was guilty
of the charge upon which she was in
dicted but he pleaded for her life on
the ground of moral degeneracy, that
she wasn't responsible for murder
which was the outcome of her low
condition.
Mr.. O'Sullivap characterized such
AN execution as cold blooded taking
of human life. In refutation of the
remarks of one gentleman who con-
sidered if he voted to commute he
, should be breaking the law himself,
Mr.. O'Sullivan said he did not think
! such clemency would be in conflict
with the law, for the law has provided
| that no criminal shall be executed
until a session of the Legislature in.
tervenes, the purpose being to give
| opportunity for Communication. The
speaker invoked no pretext of ire
sponsibility for her action, but TOOK
occasion to read letter from the
Catho lie clergyman of Bennington,