davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
The Public Must Supervise.
Zion Herald. ]

Congress will bear watching. Congress
men, as a rule, are as high minded men as
are found in the community, but congress as
a body will bear public supervision. All sorts
Of bills have been introduced in congress,
and all sorts of measures have their powerful
Hobbies pushing them, and unless the normal
portion of the public demands that congress
sift these bills and pass only the good, a
great amount of pernicious legislation will
get on the statute books of the nation. There
is a story of a boy who visited congress in
company with his father WHO is that man
up there fatherl r. asked the boy, referring
to an individual who was about to offer
prayer. lis that the man who prays
for congress - mo, my boy" answered
the sire: ''he takes look at con-
gress, and then he prays for the coun.
tryl' The sarcasm Of this jibe may not be
wholly warranted by facts, but certainly
long suffering country on which past con-
crosses have inflicted some atrocious legisla.
ton does need praying for. The best prayer
and action consist of kind Of preventive
procedure, by which an arrest of evil legisla.
ton is effected before bad results are real
lied. To this end the public mind must re.
main in an alert condition, and the press and
pulpit should join in the effort to keep it
informed of the moral issues involved in any
proposed action by the national legislature.
Examples Of this class of issues are afforded
by the statehood and Smoot questions.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

The Burlington Free Press attributes
the crowded conditions at the house OF
correction % at Rutland to the Ii
censing of the liquor traffic. Strange to
say, Superintendent Morgan of that in
stitution, in his testimony before the
investigating committee last week
made no allusion to this as possible
cause of the congestion at this centre
of rehabilitation. He lays it to the
fee system and the temptation offered
to officers under it by the shiftless and
shifting population of our large towns
Perhaps it will be advisable to wait
for State S Attorney Jackson's prom
ised investigation of the graft charges
and for the vindication which various
indignant officers are claiming is due
them before drawing our conclusions on
the subject.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

Four years ago p, w. Clement had an
issue to talk about and he made the
most of it. This year he is trying to
find an issue with which to 60 before
the people as a candidate for governor
but thus far has not had very good luck
However, we all know the personal ele'
ments in the contention and that ms
real platform, il he should have bushels
of live issues, would, in fact, when liter
ally translated, read about like
Resolved, That want it,
Resolved, That don I want the other
fellow to get it.-St. Johnsbury Re
publican.
The first plank would probably appeal
to only one man in the state; but the
last one would furnish reason enough
for many Vermont voter why he
should support p. w. Clement s candi'
demonstrating that "the other Eel
low" happens to be the machine can
1idate
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
Freak Legislation.

The criticism made by Newiahe
correspondent in another column on
some products of recent Vermont legs
latures is not new or unreasonable
Question after question is constantly
arising as to the meaning of laws which
have been multiplied by legislators more
Jealous than judieious, and more than
one law is popularity declared to IN
fringe upon individual rights as guaran'
teed by the constitution. When laws
are so framed as to be open to several
interpretations or to apply in discrimin-
ating and unjust fashion, no good re-
suits can be expected from them and
positive injury to the cause of law and
order must ensue.
But whatever the reason for the in
competency demonstrated in our law
making, the fault lies with our citizens
who now complain loudly of foolish and
unjust laws. AS citizens we must be
either very careless or very ignorant;
Very careless if we are not sending our
wisest men to the legislature; very ig-
norant if we are.
Without going farther into this thorny
field of conjecture, we would suggest
that an exhaustive study of the princi-
pies of state government, the needs
of the state and the constitutional rights
of her citizens might, in view of the
great need, be very profitably under
taken by the schools, debating socie-
ties, oranges and other citizens organ
izations in every town of the state.
What Six Books beside the Bible and
Shakespeare Would You Take with You
to Desert Island,-the subject re-
Gently announced on grange program
may be vastly stimulating to liter
arv research but it does not offer any
suggestions as to the constitutional
rights of man nor would its consid-
Grafton tend to broaden and strength
en- the mental grasp so that all the
elements of subject could be en-
braced, classified and correctly labeled
the sheep on the right, the goats ON
the left. Such knowledge and mental
power is absolutely necessary for
effective law making. 1t is necessary
not only in drafting bill but in voting
upon one which may or may not have
been framed by numskull.
But even with general dissemina-
ton of the necessary knowledge and an
all-around polishing up of mental ma
chinery, it is well to bear in mind that
the best and wisest man available in
each community is none too good to rep
resent it at the state capitol and that
such representative Office should not be
an empty honor to be passed around
among the boys that each in turn may
do Montpelier, be done by Montpelier,
take his little fling at speech-making
and the glory of being called "the gen.
tleman from Blankville and return
home laden with "reminiscences and Off
cial stationery.
No. There is important work for
the town representative and the county
senator to do at Montpelier; and still
more important work to be left undone,
as would be amazingly shown if, in the
great flock of the statutes of Vermont,
the sheep could be separated from the
goats and the two classes be set upon
the right and left where all could see.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

tobacco is certainly deplorable one
but the teachers win wisely limit their
structures to the use of the weed ON the
school premises during school hours
Their authority does not properly ex'
tend into the personal habits of their
pupils except as such habits conflict with
school life and its duties, and the use OF
tobacco outside of school and school
hours can not be claimed to do this IN
greater degree than do improper food
and clothing, badly ventilated sleeping
rooms or anything else detrimental to
general health. The order debarring
users of tobacco from school organiza'
tions or representation is usurpation OF
authority and should not be upheld
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
Superintendent Morgan of the h

Superintendent Morgan of the house
of correction. in letter to the news
papers, denies that he specified, in his
testimony before the investigating
committee, any town or towns in
which the mileage graft was notably
worked. He says there were other mis-
statements in the newspaper reports of
his testimony. Why can't reporters
stick to facts9 The truth is what the
Vermont public wants and facts alone
are what all reputable Vermont news
papers want.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
Won't Show It's Hand.
bennington Banner.l

The Manchester Journal in reprintng a
paragraph from the Banner inquiries, when
will the Banner come out for Proctori
Thank you, but the Banner will not come out
for Proctor II has always seemed to us
the real issues OF the campaign are drawn,
10 make formal pronouncement for some
candidate and then feel morally bound to
support that candidate even though later de-
veiopments of the campaign may change the
situation so as to render some other eandi-
date much more desirable. II there is con
test for the governorship of the state this
year the Banner will take sides quickly
enough when the issues come before the peo-
Pile, but it will endeSFor to do so on the is.
sues as presented and not on the personality
of the candidates. The Banner will not
'come out for Proctor, or for Clement or
for ANYBODY else
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
Political Advertising Legitimate.

TBeIIOws FdHs IIWVb'I
ANY fair.minded man will admit that MI;
Clements method Of getting his claims and
views before the people Of Vermont is legiti'
mate and ought to be legal. For legislature
10 attempt to dictate TO the newspapers OF
the state how they shall handle their adyer.
Using columns during political campaign rs
and unwarranted invasion of private rights
and ought to be and no doubt is unconstita.
tional, Political advertising Is common IN
many states of the union and the Times pc.
lieves il is legitimate Advertising during
the last presidential campaign the democrats
broke the ice and set the pace in vermont,
and IL is a very general opinion that political
advertising has come to stay.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

The democrats talk of running Black
smith Burke of Burlington for govern
or. He certainly would make the sparks
fy.-Vergennes Enterprise.
Blacksmith Burke as mayor of Bur-
lington has shown himself to be a strong
and fearless official He has stood
squarely for honest government and the
impartial enforcement of the law. He
would make strong candidate from the
ideal standpoint which the democrats
can alone afford to take.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

The st. Adams Messenger apologies,
in a recent issue, for its long editorials.
No apology is due on that score from
The Messenger whose editor possesses
the rare art of writing long editorials
good enough to read through. Mediocre
writers are obliged to study the art of
brevity which, when it is not the soul of
wit. is the semblance of it.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
nnnnw uVindicated.

Hartford, Conn., Courant'l
Dr Depew hns been 'vindicated some
more. The only republican member OF the
senate at Albany who goes ON record Us
thinking the doctor should resign from the
senate at Washington is Edgar I. brackett'
ord Ms thinking he shouldn't I. Two or three
of them denouncc the newspapers as wolves
one Of them can almost find u In ms heart
10 wish that the art OF printing had never
been invented. The fourteen democfaue
members sit by, silent but mighty interested
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

While we are yet struggling vigor.
ously in tangle of mis-made laws
that nobody knows what to do with,
Superintendent Morgan calmly calls
for the enactment of legislation to stop
mileage graft. Does he mean to be
sarcastica Or is he trying to be funnyf
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
Further Complications.
Randolph Herald and News !

lkandolph Herald anu Ne"e'l
IL is being talked quite generally OF late in
the second district that Representative Has
kins and Governor Bell, II they lock horns
over that seat in congress this year, Will not
have il all to themselves, but that formd'
able opponent will enter the field in the per
Son of the Hon Charles A. Prouty Of New.
port, at present member Of the interstate
commerce commission, and man SO bright
and brainy that Vermont and the whole
country would know he was there not 50
very long after he had taken his seat
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

The state W. @. \. U. proposes u
change in the text books Of the public
schools in the interests of more effective
temperance instruction. We admit the
possibility of bctterment.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
MATTERS OF OPINION.
Selected from the Editorial Columns VI
Our Esteemed Contemporaries
What Clement Didn't Know

Rutland Heralu'I
What did Mr.. Clement discover as !" Wy o,
buying and corruption charges ~ tne IN ,,b
ment when he bolted and his followers ina, n,a
ed out of the Montpelier coh,eh,,on VIII The
hand ahead playing, Onward Christian Soi,
dier-what we ask, did he discover AZ 'h ha
moment that he didn't know five minutes De-
fore when he stood ready 10 accept ,he nun ia
Mr. Clement is In the west, but In ihc
mean time this Is such m easy question thnt
we wonder why our genial contemporary 'oos ,
the trouble TO ask H. Mr. Clement diu no,
know FIVE minutes before the eonyenuoin al, ." ~
sadaylts showing attempts at bribery would
moi be recognized by the chairman OF ,he
convention when addressed In regular parma
mentary form,
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

The Rutland News thinks there is
one crop in the state that can be de-
pended upon AS never failing. That is
the ice crop.-Montpelier Argus,
We don t know. The winter of 1906
is suggesting some iceless possibilities
in the way of weather for Vermont.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

The president has sent the following
to the senate: Ambassa-
doris. Luke e. Wright to japan; David
B. Thompson of Nebraska. to Mexico;
Lloyd c. Griscom of Pennsylvania. to
Brazil; governor general of the Philip
pine Island. Henry Clay Ide of YER
mont: vice-governor of the Philippine
island. James F. Smith of California
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
No Quarter Allowed.



There will be little use for dishonest food
manufacturers to attempt to stem the demand
for pure food legislation by the people and
A general knowledge of the pure food ques-
ton prevails now, and the people cannot be
hoodwinked. Good results have already been
obtained from the pure food legislation in
Vermont, and strict enforcement of the law
is demanded.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

Senator Depew's health is impaired,
We hope that the three physicians who
have been called to mend it will meet
with better success than resulted from
the New York senate's recent labors
over Mr.. Depew's tattered reputation.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

And now the rumor is current that Gov.
Bell is 10 make three .cornered fight TO sue
ceed himself next year. Friends Of His Ex-
cellency will do well TO decide on one par
ticular office, as according TO the statoots
one is all he will be able TO occupy
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
Not Impossible.

Montpelier Argus.
1t is favorite argument of some of our
friends that STRONG man. as governor will
find way to carry out his state policy or
make one, regardless of constitutional or
statutory limitations of his powers, and it
sounds well on the stump and reads well in
print--St. Adams Messenger,
Well, it has been done in other states.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
A Sign of Political Sanity.
New York World

The common sense shown by the democrats
of the house in saving the Philippine tariff
bill from defeat is sign of political sanity
which will make for the restoration of pub
lie confidence in the party.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
Maybe So.
[Middlebury Register. |


Brattleboro takes step in the right direc
ton by voting to own its water system. 1t
will establish a system to cost S250,0O0 and
with committee consisting of the most pro-
gressive business men of that village in
charge of the construction of the system Brat
tleboro is already assured of results that will
be gratifying.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

Curtis S. Emery, author of the cor
rupt practices act, declares that the in
tention of the law was not to forbid
political advertising. He'll, we are told,
is paved with good intentions.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
Try 1t.
vergennes Enterpri

The house of correction is overlooking with
transient guests sent down by justice
courts for winter sentences. So are many
county jails thousand cords Of wood at
each jail and bucksaw codicil TO each sen
tence would soon reduce this loafng popua
tim
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
It Will Induce Discretion.
rJUo sb;,rtan Doet

One effect of the investigation of the
Thanking privilege will probably be to induce
congressman to be more careful about the
wrappings when they send their laundry and
clothing home through the mails.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

ment of well conducted private enter
prises. There has been neither extrav-
agance nor graft.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

One of these fine days when the
north wind takes it into its head to
come down the valley at a clip in ex-
cess of the speed limit, the smokestack
on the electric light station will be
found in Milestone brook. Guy wires
are of little use when a stack is corrod-
ed at a point below where they are at
tached. just take look and see what
you think about it. The Meddler.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

The discovery that 40 per cent. of the
boys in the Burlington high school use
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
THE MEDDLER.
"yAe coal MS yon PIT +" en-

The Meddler as n rule does not w,
lieye in printing anonymous con i.lu T.
cntions, but once in while ies'oi -
roceived SO absolutely devoid OF am
mositv vet full of suggestion thai us
Indication. even without knowleugo
~ the writer, may be deemed wise ~
~ Iottor of this sort that is produced
"'''" Brattleboro, W.
Jan. "a, 1906
TO The Meddler,
Care Reformer. A.,
Deor Sir:-Assuming (although the
ossumption is hardly logical) that the
village water board has not yet cioseu
he negotiations with Mr.. Croweil ior
,he purchase of his two systems and IL
still open to suggestion as to the proper
solution of this all absorbing propienl'
/ would like to outline plan WINCH
cnriouslv enough, none of the englh'
GERS employed by the village or the va
r;ous water board members has appar'
emily taken note Of This plan is, to
NV mind. the most feasible way out OF
tho difficulty for the reason that IL IN,
wolves the expenditure of only q small
amount of money and cannot fail to re-
suit in securing a supply of absolutely
pure water. ! would suggest that, IN
stead of searching for suitable source
in fhe immediate neighborhood Of the
village. the water board go directly 10
Stratton pond and take note OF the
ideal conditions there, am sure the
board would enjoy the trip to that beau,
tiful sheet of water and would ma
around its shores none of the contami'
mating influences which come from hui
man Indications. The water from this
pond could be easily piped to Brattle'
boro, and the extra expense due 10 the
cost of pipe would be more than out
balanced by the money saved IN the
cost of fire protection, the water pres
sure from this source being so great
that il would be unnecessary for the
village to have any steamers. If L am
correctly informed none of the water
board owns any water rights on TINS
pond. and this fact alone would result
in an immense saving to the village.
On the whole, I think this plan worthy
of careful investigation and | hope that
il will be carefully investigated.
Yours for a good system,
Pro Bono Publico.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

Most of the Brattleboro physicians
have been complaining on account of
the distressingly healthy condition of
the public this winter, but there ap-
pears to be at least one doctor who is
not thus troubled He drove up to a
hotel in an adjoining town recently,
dragged himself YEARLY into the office
and fell Imply into a chair. "There, !"
he calculated, Sim going to have one
day of rest It's got so down in Brat
tleboro that / cant get minute g
peace, patients keep flocking in SO. :"
Poor doc! The Meddler sympathizes
with him and wonders why he doesn t
divide with some of his less Cor more)
fortunate associates.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26

Mayor Calvin, who has reputation
for making discoveries in various fields,
began Monday an chronological re-
search which for time promised SEN
sational disclosures. In the rear of his
store he found small, white moth. 1t
was an innocent looking lepidoptera,
and most people would have passed 1t
by without a thought, Mr.. Calvin,
however, is of an investigating turn OF
mind. He looked the creature over
carefully. consulted with few of his
friends and came to the conclusion that
he had discovered a gypsy moth. On
first thought Mr.. Calvin was for com
municating with the Associated press,
but finally he decided to make sure OF
his ground by communicating with the
village bug-ologist The bug-ologist
was therefore summoned and made a
careful investigation. Much to the
mayors surprise the moth was found
to be a Virginia erminemoth (arctic
Virginicus). Ordinarily, said the
bug-ologist in his official report, "this
moth comes from its chrysalis in May
or June. | am of the opinion, however,
that the hot air expended on the cold
water question in your store caused the
creature to appear in full bloom four
months ahead of time.
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
80 lbs. Corn Beet
for $I.OO
L. n. & F. A, RICHARDSON,


PROBATE NOTICES.
The charge for probate notices of the
usual length in the Reformer for the three
weeks required by law is $2.OO. This in.
cludes Commissioners Notices, Will Notices
and Settlement Notices We shall be glad
to have you direct tn Register of Probate
to send your notices to this Office
Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-01-26
pRATTLEBoRo, FRIDAY, JAN. 80, 1905

1srssOAr esrrltuoRo pcsI otfet As steosO CLASS MA
The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1906-08-24

Washington. d. c., August 20th.-A
determined effort will be made at the
next session OF congress to prevent
another appropriation for the free dis.
trlbution Of common garden seeds.
Congress now eXpends S2i2 900 year
In giving away the commonest varie'
ties Of peas, beans, turn!p, squash and
pumpkin seeds. They are divided into
100000 packets so that the packets
cost about half cent each. But as
a large part OF the appropriation Is
expended In clerk hire, packeting the
seed, etc, the actual value of the
seed in n packet is much less than
half a cent. These packets are put
up In packages OF five packets, the
total cost OF the packages being about
two cents each, and they are purchas.
able anywhere at five cents. Each
member of congress gets 10000 such
packages. which he distributes to the
voters OF his district.
The farmers say that these pack.
ages contain so little seed as to be OF
no value to them, while the total ap-
preparation, If expended in sending
out really rare and valuable seed, or
in maintaining national agricultural
college, or divided among the state
agricultural colleges, would be of i'm.
mense value to the farming interests.
They therefore protest against the
waste of public money. The seeds.
men claim that as congress has al.
ready expended $4,000 in giving
away turnip and watermelon seed, It
Is time 1t should give away saws, axes
or hoes and give the seed trade a rest
Those who believe that congress
should cut OF this perquisite of It's
members now used for political pur.
poses, are writing their senator's and
representatives, urging them to abol.
ish the free seed distribution, and the
National Grange, many state and local
oranges, horticultural, agricultural
and other societies are adopting rcso.
lutions condcmning It. Mr.. William
Wolf Smith, of Washington, D. c.. has
been selected TO represent the oppo.
stiOn 10 the congressional free seed
distribution. and IS personally answer
ing all inquiries concerning tho same