The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-09-13
One Hundred Years Ago CITY
Won Seat Of Government.
WILL CELEBRATE EVENT
On October 4th = City Had Struggle
to Get the Prize and to Retain
It Celebration Win Be
Notable One.

glorious victory, and on Wednesday, Oct.
4, the citizens propose to celebrate the
Tooth anniversary Of the occasion The
victory was tile selection OF Montpelier
as the permanent capital Of the state
Of Vermont, not a remarkable thing
under ordinary circumstances, but, in
the case Of the commonwealth of YER
mont, an honor achieved after a con-
test which aroused the whole state and
led not only to acrimonious discussions
and arguments, but which involved al
most the personal integrity Of some Of
| the disputants.
AT least a dozen Of the cities and
towns wished TO be selected, and several
exerted themselves to the utmost to
secure the coveted distinction Some,
even, so anxious were they to win,
went to the extent Of building state
houses, which We're offered free to the
commonwealth in consideration Of Sc
lection as the place Of meeting Of the
| state government. Nevertheless, the
pretty town OF Montpelier succeeded in
| getting what SO many Of the other
places desired, and it has retained the
/ distinction, despite numerous efforts Of
| disaffected or ambitious towns and cities
to take it away.
4 Montpelier is now undoubtedly SCI
i eurely fixed in its position as capital,
although an occasional effort to bring
about a change is made, but up to
/ 1857 several Of its rivals felt there
was on excellent opportunity to win
away the honor, and this community
was not permitted to consider at any
time that it had any too firm a grip
on the position. 1t was always ready
to meet the attacks Of its competitors,
however, with what success is shown
by its retention Of the dignity, and it IS
| difficult to imagine a combination Of
| circumstances which would induce the
people of Vermont at the present time
to change the location Of their seat Of
government
Taken all in ALL, accordingly, the peo-
| pie of the city have Just cause to be
proud Of the great victory which they
won in 1905, The fruits Of which were
never taken from them, despite the ef-
forts made by other places, and it seems
to them meet and just that the muni-
cipality should 50 observe the anniver-
sary Of the great victory that memory
of it shall remain for long time with
the people Of the state.
| Accordingly, an elaborate programme
has been arranged for the celebration
Of the day. This includes a big parade
1.-The largest known in Vermont for
very many years-th the usual public ex-
ercises, with an GRAFTON by prominent
citizen of the commonwealth, and an
evening banquet, with perhaps ball,
to which all the leading state and ma
tional citizens Will be hidden.
Uniformed Societies Eager.
Besides the full representation Of the
regular army at Fort Ethan Allen, com
prising eight troops of cavalry and two
batteries OF field artillery there will be
in the parade the regiment of Vermont
militia, the Knights Templar Of the
state, the Patriarchs Militant, the
Knights OF Pythias, the Knights Of Nal
Ia and the Red Men; in fact, every uni
formed secret society which desires to
participate. According to the plans now
making, there has never been in Yer
mont during the present generation So
extensive and elaborate 4 turnout Of
uniformed organizations.
The city Of Montpelier has given S10.-
600 for the celebration and it is pro-
posed to start business mems fund,
in order that there shall be no lack
Of money to properly observe the great
affair.
The cause OF the observance may
seem, to some people as somewhat sim
Pile, but as d matter 81 fact the seIec-
ton of Montpelier as the place for the
permanent capital Of the state was a
/ remarkable victory. While the Green
| Mountain state was Il free and inde
| pendent republic" as its citizens CON
tended. until they were allowed BY Con-
gress the rights and privileges for which
they struggled many years, meetings of
/ the governor and council were held in
various towns and cities, very much to
the inconvenience of the people and not
little annoyance to the members of
| the governing bodies themselves
| The sessions were peIpiatetic and al
most every place Of consequence man
| aged to secure influence enough TO have
the bodies meet within their limits oc-
casionally. In 177S three sessions were
held, two in Windsor and one in Ben
lnington, and in 1870 the same number
was necessary, but only one went To
w lluNbI3 4AduCufSttf BtiIl1 EHlltU upon
for meeting. In 17s0 the gatherings
were at Westminster and Bennington,
but 17s1 Windsor received two and
Bennington only one, while a fourth
convention went to Charlestown, on the
east bank of the Connecticut river now
in New Hampshire.
In 1852 the legislators met in Ben
nington, Windsor and Manchester, in |
1883 at Windsor and Westminster, in |
1854 at Bennington and Rutland, in |
1885 at Norwich and Windsor, in 1856
at Rutland, in 1881 at Bennington and |
Newbury, in 1859 at Westminster, in |
1890 at Castleton, in 1891 at Bennington
and Windsor, in 1892 at Rutland, in |
1898 at Windsor, in 1894 at Rutland, |
in 1895 at Windsor, in 1896 at Rutland, /
in 1897 at Rutland and Windsor, in |
1908 at Vergennes, in 1899 at Windsor,
in 1900 at Middlebury, in 1901 at New
bury, in 1902 at Burlington, in 1903 at |
Westminster, in 1904 at Windsor and /
Rutland, in 1906 at Danyille, in 1906 i