St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-03-07
The March Meeting.
Over Seven Hundred Voters Come
out and some Lively Debates at the
Afternoon Session.

out and Some Lively Debates at the
Afternoon Session.
Yesterday was a beautiful day and
there was large attendance of voters
at the March meeting. The farmers
were out in full force as the contest for
road commissioner had been so
canvassed that all came to
participate. In fact, this was the only
contest of the day and only those outside
the village could vote. Mr. Jackson was
an easy winner and was naturally "de-
lighted" at the outcome.
P. F. Hazcn presided as moderator and
the business of the meeting was taken up
at O'Clock. On motion of 81. Fl. Carr
a school tax OF 70 cents on a dollar was
voted, highway tax of 20 per cent and
a town tax OF 60 per cent. This is the
same as last year only the division then
was IS per cent town, 70 per cent school,
and 20 per cent highway.
The town voted to appropriate $3.50
for the proper observance of Memorial
day. A motion was also carried author
izing the selectmen to borrow money to
defray current expenses.
The first spirited debate arose over the
motion to give per cent discount on all
taxes paid before Oct. 10. This was
strongly opposed by Lawyer Dunnett
who said it gave the rich man ad-
vantage over the poor man, as the
former could discount his bill while the
poor man would really pay the the other
mans discount. Mr.. Dunnett appealed
from the chairman's ruling that the
motion had been carried and asked to
have the house divided. This being done
the motion was carried by an overwelm-
ing majority.
W. A. Kicker brought up the matter OF
delinquent taxpayers and unpaid taxes
in general, saying that property owners
sometimes had taxes against them that
| could be collected. He cited the case of
| an unpaid tax on some Walden property
that belonged to E. &. 7. Fairbanks &
| Co., and this brought an immediate ex-
| planation from ]. c. Clark, the treasurer
OF the corporation, and Manager Turner.
| The latter said that he would have been
| glad to have explained to Mr.. Rlcker the
circumstances in the case and resented
the idea of having the matter brought up
ia town meeting in the discussion OF
unpaid taxes. He said they bought the
property with the understanding that it
was free of incumbrance, but as soon as
| dternUareH he
been unpaid they sent a man over to
Walden to pay the tax. Mr.. Turner
added that in the II years that he had
managed the affairs OF the corporation
they had paid all their taxes, when due.
Mr.. Turner was warmly applauded at
the close OF his remarks.
MIR. Kicker then introduced resolution
to have the names of all delinquent tax
payers printed, provided their taxes had
not been paid alter a certain time. Fl. H.
Carr made a strong speech in opposition
to the resolution and it was defeated by
large majority.
The following resolution was then in
troduced by Mr. Carr, seconded by Mr..
Kicker and adopted:
Resolved, That it is the sense OF this
town that its representative in the next
General Assembly use his influence for
the passage of law, providing that all
taxpayers shall pay 6 per cent interest
on all taxes more than six months over
due.
The following resolution was in.
troduced by Alexander Dunnett and
adopted:
Resolved, That the tax collector be
instructed to levy on all delinquent tax
payers for taxes unpaid Feb. Is, 1907,
OF the assessed taxes of the previous year
unless otherwise directed by the board of
civil authority.
The result of the license vote was as
follows:
Whole number cast, 737.
Yes 157.
No, $50.
Majortty for no license, 423, the largest
ever given in St. Johnsbury. This is also
the largest percentage, 1919. of the
total vote being cast for no license.
The contest tor road commissioner re-
suited in walkover for Mr.. Jackson, as
he received 80 votes to As tor A. F.
Lawrence.
Seven hundred and forty-6ve ballots
were cast aud these officers were declared
elected:
Moderator, Alexander Dunnett.
Clerk, II. W. Blodgett.
Selectmen, Wesley Sargent, F. D. Gil
man, Luman A. Ladd.
Treasurer, H. w. Blodgett.
Overseer of the Poor, W. H. H. Robie.
First Constable, George r. Crosby.
Collector, George K. Crosby.
Listers, D. M. Bacon, 0. S. Abbott,
Charles Ross.
Auditors, W. T. Horton, Preston E.
May. Harry H. Carr.
Trustee of Public Money, H. w.
Blodgett.
Fence Viewers. the selectmen.
Town Grand Juror, c. A. Sylvester.
Inspector of Leather, H. S. Thomas.
Pound Keepers. the selectmen.
Surveyors of Wood and Lumber, A. l..
Bragg, William Wetherbee, l.. D. Stiles,
c. L. Clark.
Town Agent, l.. P. Slack.
School Director, Mrs. E. A. S. May.
Tree Warden, John 7, Borlaud.