davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27
The Rotten Borough System.

The cry of "rotten boroughs" is again
raised in Vermont and the town OF Somer-
set, in Windham county, which cast JUST
seven votes at the recent town election, Is
the text of several able preachments IN
the state press. Somerset sends one rep
resentative to the lower house OF the
legislature, and such places as Burning
ton, Rutland and Brattleboro have no
more. Members of the state senate only
are elected on population basis.
This plan worked well in the early days,
when community life was more concentIrat,-
ed than it is now, but in the change that
has been brought about by the decline
of the smaller towns matters have come
to such a pass that reform is needed.
How to bring it about is a problem, since
the towns are extremely jealous OF their
privileges, and any attempt to curtall
their representation would have but
slim chance of passing the legislature, SO
many of whose members represent, con-
stituencies of the sort which would sui
fer by the change.
Somerset was once a vigorous town,
hut for the last half century it has been
steadily taking the back track. Its sons
and daughters, the best blood of its peo-
Die. have gone. It's population has dwin-
died. the woods have invaded its farms
and underbrush chokes the cellar-holes
where the homes of its first settlers stood.
1t still goes through the form OF a town
meeting when the seven voters get to-
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27
WHERE IS HE AT?

II some able man in the first con-
sressional district--a man like .. NJ
Barber for cxample-should announce
his candidacy for the place now oc'
cupied by Representative David J. Eos
ter it would add interest to the po'
litical situation in Vermont. Congress
man Foster is attempting the some
what foolhardy feat of riding two
horses at once, a feat in which more
adroit men than he have been known
to fail. He is an avowed candidate
for the place in the United States sen
ate made vacant by the death of Red
field Proctor, yet he has given no in
tention that he does not want to be re-
elected representative to succeed him
self. The Honorable ID. j. cannot pur'
sue these tactics for any length OF time
with impunity. He must either be-
stride the attractive senatorial hobby
or remain firmly seated on the con-
RreSSlOnal Steeu Which, 10 hio PiceSh'
mount. Trying to hold down both
saddles will surely result in a cropper
Mr.. Fosters duties as chairman of the
c9mH.ittee on expenditures in the de-
partment of commerce and labor have
not been so onerous of late as to pre-.
vent his coming home to look at a few
fences; in fact the Congressional Rec
ord is authority for the statement that
he is paired with Mr.. Pou of North
Carolina on all public questions for
the remainder of the session. With
this fortunate arrangement of affairs
at the capital Congressman Foster can
probably find time to tell the people
of his district definitely where he
stands-whether he is candidate for
reelection as representative, for SEN
ator, or both.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27

rstbsr and sort out the plums The tao
men who do all the leeal otiioe-holdinr
seye alternate years. the one as to~n
clerk, read commissioner, lister, auditor
and school director; the other as lister,
auditor, trustee Of public money, Eiand
Juror, agent and school diretor, Thew
i little for them 10 do and the appof'
iuniiies for graft arr microscopic, liev
Is significant bit IL town correspondence
lfum the county paper,
Their will b. no schools this sum
MGR as no money MAS raised al town
meeiine for this purpose. No school re
port Was s-nt IN last year as the register
was lost, also ~; IN back taxes,
Somerset appears 10 lie drying NJ 70
the point 81 blowing away. u u alb
suni that such handful should have, 20
di.proport ionaie an influence IN the leg
stature, Towns like this may he sniief'
Cd 10 rvtain their idestity, Il they, wish,
40 lar as local Affairs 80, hut when y
comes 10 representation al Montpelier, y
is patent that, in justice 10 the rest Of
the state, they should be- combined with
their neighbor.. Rhode Island Is strueel'
ing with the same problem, except that
ther. each town, small and grat, block
island az well as Providence, has senator
But there is none 20 small and insight
tieant as Somerset, Vermont,
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27
KEEP THE KIDNEYS WELL.
Health Is Worth Saving, and Some
Brattleboro People Know How to
Save It,

saue t. "
~ 80 -.
many brattieoolo Peopie take tnelr
hves IN tnelr nanus oy hegiectlne the
huneys "hen they Know tnese organs
need help. SICK hdneys are responsi,
o. PIE loI a Vast amount OF sunering ana
III health, but there is no need to sui
Ter nor 10 remain III Danger when al
diseases ana acnes ana pans que TO
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27
For Sale Cheap.

New Hampshire has paved the way for
Vermont leading out of disagreeable
financial ENHANCEMENT, at least as nearly
out as it is possible to get at this late
day. New Hampshire has sold its state
building at the late jamestown EXPOSE
ton to Maryland lawyer, who will use
the building as summer home.
Undoubtedly, New Hampshire will not
be able to get all its money out of the
venture. But then, one must sometimes
pay money for the honor of representa-
ton. That's what New Hampshire did.
It's what Vermont did. It's what every
state does that consents to erect state
building at every Tom, Dick and Harry
of an exposition which may spring up
like mushroom growth.
But the dispatches say that the sum
realized from the sale of the New Hamp-
shire building to the Maryland lawyer
will help materially in footing the bills. ;"
We congratulate New Hampshire on its
business acumen, or on the acumen of
the commission which is engineering the
transfer. And we urge the Vermont COM
mission to 90 and do likewise-if they
can find another Maryland lawyer or
someone itching for a splendid little sum-
mer cottage. That Vermont's state build
ing fills the bill we gather from the pub
lished descriptions Of the snug little cot
tage on which the state expended the
sum of $4,000. The sketches, too, pre-
sent a modest building of the airy type,
suitable for summer occupancy, not over
large, with wide piazzas capable of COM
excellent landscapes provided
the landscapes are afforded. How much
are we offered, We Maryland lawyers?
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27

The appointment of John W. stew
art to serve as United States senator
until his successor is chosen by the
next legislature was not unexpected.
Ex-Governor Stewart s ability and his
wide knowledge Of public affairs make
him better fitted to take up immediate
" the work laid down by the late Red
field Proctor than any other man who
might have been named, but his 81
wears do away with any likelihood that
he will care to serve longer than this
session. In fact the fight over his
successor has already begun and will
be waged necessarily from now until
next fall between the supporters of
Governor Fletcher d. Proctor and ex-
Governor Carroll S. Page. The offices
of county senator and town represen-
tative will not 60 begging this year,
nor will there be any doubt about the
issue on which the fight for these of,
fees will be made. Already the Proc
tor and Page supporters are lining up
and the effects of this division are ap-
parent even now.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27
10 REroRMER SUBSCRIBERS.

Beginning January !, 1908 we dis
continued the practice OF printing
dates on the labels Of papers TO ma
cate tho date OF expiration Of sub
scriptions. We keep ledger account
With each subscriber and give Q 70.
osipt for every paymen. Tho label
p,an Is impracticable and is being dis
earded by nearly all publications AT
The end Of the year II your subscrip'
don Is unpaid bill will DO sent you
A fast as subscriptions are renewed
tho dates will DO removed from tho
lsbels. Keep your receipt from year
10 year in case you question the accur'
scy Of our records.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27

eff we can get their confidence
SAYS R. M. Bradley in reference to the
benefciaries of the Thompson fund,
cit will be much more easy to help
them if the chance arises" Does Mr..
Bradley think he Is working toward
this end when he dismisses the agent
who represents the local society of
seamstresses, needle women and shop
girls, with the statement that better
results can be obtained if the fund is
administered locally by someone who
owes her position to the trusteesf
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27
PROUTY'S PLATFORM.

Lieutenant Governor George H.
Prouty issued Tuesday the platform on
which he hopes to walk into Governor
Proctor shoes. Mr.. Prouty says he
does not believe in trying to dictate
the party policy but he is willing to
give his views on some matters OF i'm
portance to the state. Briefly stated
his position is this. He would favor
continuing the policies which have
been SO well begun, also limited state
control of public service corporations.
He thinks no backward step should be
taken on the question of education,
that the laws relating to highways and
penal institutions should be improved,
that the judiciary system should be SO
improved as to bring about more
economy without loss in efficiency,
that fewer loosely drawn and need
less bills should be introduced in the
legislature, that the double taxation
evil should be remedied by making
large property owners pay their just
share, that Vermont's resources and
attractions should be more widely ad-
vertised, that no needless appropria-
lions should be made by the next legis-
lature, and last but not least, that the
Honorable George H. Prouty of New
port should be elected governor Of the
state of Vermont. The Reformer
agrees with Mr.. Prouty on every item
except the last; it differs with Mr..
Prouty on this because of its honest
belief that he has not the ability to
give the state Of Vermont such an ad-
ministration as it needs.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27
Legal Notices.
STATE OF VERMONT.
- Marlboro, -.

- Marlboro, -.
Estate Of HENRY o, ALDkiNH
The Honorable Probate Cou6 !gg q (
trici Aforesaid;
HENRY u. ALDtiCH late Of hsi,s. \
STAT. Of MAsaAchuseiis, decgal,l e
Estate in this District, haLE!NI
Al Probate Court holden 40 Aflr =
within and for said District on i4s .cl
Of February, 1905, an auihtntslits II
The las, Will aud Testament ga b.
h.,. thereof Of Henry .. A.lHtA u
Boston, In the County 81 Ssia.E j
state Of MASSACHUSETTS, deceased, .af
tate In said disiriet-daly proved =
and established In the Probate Cl-I
the County and State aforesaid, Wt
,ented 10 the Court here. iha' a.
Instrument may be allowed iu na
as The last Will aud TesiAmcgt q b
accident, and that the said cory zF
aled aud recorded In the Prltlt {
Tor the District Of Marlboro, a..
agreeable 10 the statute in suea slia .
and provided:
ana n is ordered by said C9ar; tr
2s,h DAY Of March, 1905, ai he p
Court Office in said Bratileb0F1, be AZ
Tor All persons interested 90 appear a..
fest the allowance OF such inNrlntii
The filing and recording Of the copy
viii, and the Probate thereof, at E,i
II they see cause; and that notice q
be given by publishing this order
weeks successively in the Bfartb1.
former. weekly newspaper pgbli.s
said District, previous 10 the tine 40
Therefore, you are hereby uoiiatt ?
pear before said Court, al the tia
place aforesaid. and TO contest %, .
ance OF the said instrument and ist
and recording OF the copy Of sad VI
the probate thereof, as aforesaid, Il ~
Given under my hand al BA,'!..1'
said District, this 9th day Of Nsr,a
ii.isc II. E. EDDY RsEu
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27
Sentiment was no doubt a factor in

Sentiment was no doubt factor in
bringing about the defeat of the mo-
ton made at the recent town school
district meeting to do away with the
high school now maintained in West
Brattleboro and send the pupils to the
high school in this village. It is a
serious question, however, whether
such change would not be advantage
GUS to the people of the town district
as well as to their children. The edu-
cational advantages offered by the
high school of this village are better
than what the town district can afford
to maintain. This may be said with
out criticising in any way the good
work that is being done in the West
Brattleboro institution. Moreover, the
cost of sending pupils living in the
town district to the highsschool in the
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27
BOSTON & MAINE RAILRQI
In effect December I6, 1907
Trains Lssvs Brst.lsbOrc;

Montreal and Quebec. via C. V, and G 1
ill. on a. m. 'C2.30 p. m. 'lQsp Pc
Montreal & Quebec. via Newport and Cki
-tii.07 a. m. ti0ls p. m
Quebec. via Sherbrooke and G. I. Rya-ilLhl
il0.ls p. m. -
Quebec, via Que. Cent Ry.-tli.ol a n y
p. m. So
Greenfield. Northampton. Holyoke' spnap
-'5.2s a. m. 1907 g. m. RIO p, N. 'ta'
ss2e p. m. fs.%3 pm.
Bellows Falls. Claremont Junction W.
White River Junction teo3 a. m IN
tii.07 am '2.3o y. m. t5.l pm. 'leh
Wells River. st. Johnsbury. Lyndonylle-'
a. m. 1880 p. m. tlo.ls p: m. ,...
Newport. Sherbrooke--tll.o o. a. N. ti9.p
Boston-fA5.2sa a. m. tA907 a. m. tAZ!ai
'B2 80 p. m. 'AA26 p. m.
sDaily. tDaily except Sunday. ssundEs {
A via Greenfield. via Bellows Fails, I
treal only. tDaily except SATURDAY
Detailed information and timetables nay =
tanned at ticket Office.
d. J. FLANDERS. c. NJ. BuRT,
Pass. Traf. Mgr Gen fas& !
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27
An Unusual Real Estate Issue

will be the April edition of the Boston
Evening Transcript. Any one having
a farm, house, cottage or camp to dispose
of or which they desire to rent for the
summer should advertise in. that edition
as it will be widely circulated among hun
dreds of persons who are searching for
such properties. 1t is well known fact
that the Boston Transcript publishes
each season more advertisements of sum
mer places for rent than any, other news
paper in America. Hundreds of people
rent and sell their places by advertising
in it each year.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27

village 10 less than what II costs TO
educate them al home. The number OF
pupils who would be deprived OF the
Of a high school education
IL the town school were TO DO abolished
is hardly large enough to be eonsid'
cradle, and any argument made ON this
ground would have to be backed With
figures in order TO carry weight, The
policy Of Capitalization Is working ad'
vantageously in educational matters
throughout the state, and sooner or
later the voters Of the town district
will see wherein they can apply this
policy TO advantage in their own case
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27

Howard L. Hindley, for the past year
and half editor and manager of the
Montpelier Daily Journal, will become
managing editor of the Rutland Herald
April l, succeeding H: W. Hall who
came from Troy, N. Y, few months
ago. Charles A. Webb will succeed Mr..
Hindley as editor of the Journal and Wal
ter S. Godd of Chelsea will be business
manager Mr.. Webb, who is son of
Rev. A. III. Webb of Brattleboro, has
eral years and was editor when the paper
was under the management of Frank E.
Howe.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27

John w. Stewart was a candidate
for the seat in the United States SEN
ate to which Redfeld Proctor was ap-
pointed by Carroll s. Page-but that
was II years ago.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27

tly yet promptly on the bowels and aliays
Inflammation at the same time. It is pleas
ant to take. Sold by All Druggists.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27

The republican leaders in the Rhode
Island legislature have decided to com
bine the two constitutional amend
men,s which their party Is under
pledge to submit to the people Of the
state-one comforting veto power on
the governor and the other reappor'
tloning representation among cities
and towns. The combination is likely
10 result in the defeat Of both re-
forms, something probably not wholly
distasteful TO the leaders themselves,
but that does not affect the fact that
Rhode Islands agitation Of these re-
forms should awaken the people OF
Vermont 20 the need Of similar agita'
ton in this state. Our 'rotten
borough" system Of representation has
been discussed considerably since the
March meetings, with Somerset as the
awful example. The forthcoming sena'
torial contest gives added emphasis to
the disproportionatc power such small
towns hold, for Somerset voter has
approximately 800 times as much voice
in saving who shall succeed Senator
Stewart as does a citizen of Burling'
ton. No change in this obsolete sys'
tenn can be made before 1910, when
the time lock on the combination will
be off temporarily, but it is not too
early to begin agitating the question
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27

A Rutland Hungarian who is unable
to speak English recently had mirac'
ulous escape. A few nights ago he
went to the Proctor hospital to visit
his brother who was patient IN the
institution and was mistaken by the
Superintendent for patient whom she
was expecting. The man didn't look
very clean SO the superintendent or
dered him in sign language to 90 to the
hath room and battle. When he seemed
unwilling to do this she ordered two
nurses to give him bath. After his
enforced plunge the man was fitted to
A clean nightshirt and snugly tucked
in bed. 1t was only when an IN
terpreter was summoned that the SUI.
perintendent and staff found out the
man s real motive for visiting the in
stitution, and as soon as he was given
his street clothing he left without at,
tempting to accomplish his purpose.
The remar kable thing about the whole
incident is that the man escaped under.
going an operation for he must have
been in the hospital at least half
hour. Is the Proctor hospital manage
ment really up.to .datei
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27

Japan will receive a visit from the
around the world. A cordial invitation
from the emperor of the island king
dom was received by this government
last week and accepted. 1t is likely that
China will also want a look at the "big
l6" and in that case the invitation
would be accepted. These additions to
the fleets itinerary may mean a curtail-
ment in the time for target practice since
it will be impossible under present ar
rangements for the ships to reach the
Atlantic seaboard before next March.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-03-27

Bishop Charles Henry Fowler of the
Methodist Episcopal church North, died
in New York city Friday as the result
of an operation for diabetes. He was
born in Ontario in 1897 and was elected
bishop of the Methodist church in 1884
and was one of the oldest bishops in
point of service. He was a graduate of
Northwestern university at Evanstown,
ILL.,, and while there distinguished him
self as a member of the live-saving crew.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-08-23
ENGLISH ARTISTS NOT SAILORS.
For Them Tennis Ii the chief Recreation
Little Golf.

FROM Inc kondOH utO'e.
The number Of English artists who TAKE to
tho sea "a o pastims may probably he num-
bered on the fingers OF ono hand, and these for
the most part pursue maritime art as q pro-
fessIon. II comes. therefore, az a surprise to
hear OF q French artist. and especially one
with tastes apparently 80 Partisan as M. Paul
Helleu, having from his youth upward In
dulged q passion for sailing and now In the
heyday OF success flying the British flag above
an English built yacht. with Southampton as
his headquarters. It 10 given to few artists to
BE- able TO afford the expense Of q vessel OF con-
siderable size, but NJ. Helleu just now Ii bask-
ing In the sunshine Of prosperity and world
wide renown. The story goes that he recently
made 0,OO0 francs from two etehings that
only cost him two afternoons work. In COM
psny with NJ. Sem he will probably cross to
Trouville and other French watering places
at the close Of the Cowes and Ryde weeks.
British artists az q rule Affect lawn tennis
as Q recreation In preference to any other
game. Al this they attain to q level OF excel
lence which they a. q body appear unable to
reach at cricket, golf or football. MIR. Abbey.
r. A., for SOM years oaptained q team OF
artists and has even had q cricket week at his
country home. but both these popular func-
lions have. we understand, been abandoned
this year. Tennis can. Of course. be moro
easily practised. especially by those artists
30 fortunate rs to possess large gardens, and
Mr.. Shannon.lA r. A.. even aspires to enter
the lists OF the premier tournament abroad.
namely. Hombure. where he probably AZ this
moment IL playing a lively game on the courts
whereon for many years q very prominent
ngurs was his old neighbor Van Prinsep.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-08-23
CANADA'S CALL OF THE WEST.
Great Exodus From Eastern Provinces to
Get In the Golden Grain.
From the 81. John Sun.

FROM me 81. Johu Sun.
Yesterday the Maritime Provinces cent
golden grain Of the great West. Over 5000
Of the youth Of eastern Canada started Ass
evening the long journey TO Winnipeg. from
which point they will be distributed through
out Manitoba. Seven farm laborers' specials
were used to convey the harvesters. Three
Of these trains were made up In st. John
Two'oame from Halifax and n from Sydney.
The remaining one started from Point du
Chene with the Prince Edward Islanders, who
crossed Northumberland Strait by specth
ct steamer.
The excursion had all the features OF sim
liar excursions Of previous years. with rev
exceptions. One Of the latter was the num-
Der Of exoursionists. which was much larger
than il ordinarily the case. Another feature
which distinguished It from the average bar
vest excursion was the absence OF drunken
ness and fighting. The class OF men VINO
formed the living freight Of the three trains
which were made VI here was e~xcellens-
Some whiskey was Of course In svidenos
among the excursionists and the crowd vs
a little noisy. but In spite OF theas little draw.
backs everything about the Union depot wen'
smoothly until the last of the local excursion
trains pulled out at about hall past u tnn
morning. The first train left at $50 p. M
the second IN hour later. Harvest excursion
thins are usuhhy dccoHIpAnleu W NJ
Of G. p. r. detectives. but this season no PLAN
clothes men were on the trains.
The composition of the excursion crowHs
was about as usual. A few family parties
containing women and children were TO %
observed, but the great majority Of the et-
cursionists were men. and young men az thaN
Until the last train left the Union depot pre-
scented q most animated appearance. being
their friends.
The total number OF excursionists from ths
Maritime Provinces is much In excess OF what
the @. p. r, oficials expected. Three thou,
sand was the figure expected. The last ok
the harvest trains passed through NJ apous
$40 3hia morning.