Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-04-28
BRATTLEBORO LOCAL
OLD BOARD SCORED.
Eleventh. Hour Allegations Regarding Gas
Light Contract, Day Policeman and In
creased Taxes


The Phoenix received at p. m. yester-
day an article of two columns in length,
making a general criticism of the Cit-
zens' ticket for baliffs. This was signed
by w II. Ninton for self and other petit
toners for Independent ticket. 1t touch
ed upon the subject of a contract with
the Gas Light company for street light
ing, saying that a new contract had al
ready been substantially made and only
awaits signature by the bailiffs after the
village meeting, as 1t has already been
signed by the selectmen for the town
lights, and that only 1920 will be saved
from present prices.
The question is asked whether there
is need for "a handsome chap like Police
Hall, parading in a handsome uniform"
when there is "one police officer constant
ly at the town hall, under public pay as
jantor, ready to answer any call, to say
nothing Of two or three sheriffs with
headquarters right on the street, where
the parade goes on"
On the question OF village expense, this
article says the tax has grown from 25
cents when f.. c. Crosby was head OF
the board of bailiffs to 40 cents now, and
taking up the estimates of the present
bailiffs for the coming year alleges that
their figures in most instances are smaller
than in the year past, and the prediction
is made that 45 cent tax will be neces-
sary.
1t is charged that the day police was
put on with the "astute calculation" that
it would help the yes vote at the
town meeting, and that this scheme didn't
work. 1t is suggested that the new board
gather information as to what would be
right and fair as to street lighting. and
on that information make a new bargain
with the Gas Light company and submit
it to a special village meeting for ap-
proval.
The Citizens ticket, the communica-
tion states might be called the Wheel
Club ticket and indeed it is a bit queer
that in all the citizenship OF Brattleboro
not one can be found fit for bailiff who
is not a member OF that club, as every
man on the old board ticket is, and many
members of the club do not like the looks
Of the fact and do not want it used as
political organization"
Mr.. Calvin is praised as a faithful and
industrious official, who knows thoroughly
the duties of bailiff and the needs of the
village, especially in the fire department.
Probably no opposition ticket would
have been filed but for the declaration
to Mr.. Schwenk, in the presence of sew
eral witnesses, from the master mind Of
the old board. that no matter If 9S per
cent. of the voters said No day police
the village ordinances gave the bailiffs
power to appoint one and he should do 1t.
II was only then that Mr.. Schwenk con-
sented to be candidate. believing this
is country in which the people have
right to rule"
The check list is analyzed and names
of prominent citizens now dead are said
TO be thereon. as well as others whose
habitations though still terrestrial are
elsewhere on the continent, while this
same village check list shows a vast num-
Der of names, including prominent men
even to Bailiff Calvin, scratched OF, al
though the law requires As hours notice
to the voter before his name can be taken
of the list, with severe penalties for
scratching otherwise" II is charged that
the names of 373 men who are dead or
have left town are on the list and $50
omitted entirely, making a total of 957
errors both ways out OF what ought to
be list of about 1900 names. This, in
face of Section -, Chapter 7, Vermont
Statutes, which says. The trustees or
bailiffs shall at least 80 days before the
annual village meeting prepare and post
check list of the persons qualified to
vote in such meeting"