Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-10-01
ASK FOR APPROPRIATION
Vermont Should Join with New York
and the Nation in n Proper Ceie-
bration-July 4, 1909, the Date
SuREcsted-Want a Monu-
mcnt to Champlain.

T o the General Assembly Of the State
CT Vermont:
The Lake Champaign Terccntenary COM
mission Of Vermont. created by your
honorable body by legislative enactment
In 1905, respectfully submits herewith a
report Of the steps already taken, to-
gether with certain recommendations.
This commission was authorized by the
following Joint resolution:
JOINT RESOLUTION FOR THE AP-
PO1NTMENT OF A COMMISSION
FOR THE BOTH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE DISCOVERY OF
LAKE CHAMPLAIN.
Representatives:
Whereas. The discovery OF Lake
Champlain was an event in history full
~ as important as many others that
have been recognized by various States,
as well as by the national government.
and
Whereas. The three hundredth ami
versary of such discovery will occur on
July fourth. 900, 1t Is hereby
Resolved by the Senate and House OF
Representatives: that this event should
be observed in a fitting manner and
bring about an observance commensur-
ate with Its importance there Is hereby
provided a commission consisting Of tho
Governor who shall be chairman. ex-
office. and six other members to be APP
pointed by the Governor before January
first. 1907. one OF whom shall act as sec
retary. Said commission Is hereby en-
powered to adopt such measures as in
It's judgment may be reasonable or
necessary TO bring about the fitting OBJ
servance Of such event And as the in
terests OF the State of New York and
the Dominion Of Canada are allied with
those of Vermont in such observance II
Is hereby recommended that said COM
mission confer with the proper author-
ties Of New York and Canada TO ascer-
tain what action they or either of them
Will take with Vermont In making the
observance OF this event successful and
a credit to ALL and that the commission
report the result OF such efforts together
with its recommendations to the Gem
eral Assembly OF 1903.
The members Of said commission shall
receive no pay for services rendered OK
cept their necessary expenses.
The secretary of said commission shall
he allowed such sum for services rend-
cred as my be fixed by said commission.
The auditor OF accounts is hereby au-
thorized to draw an order for such ex-
penses and allowance when approved by
the Governor.
THOMAS c. CHENEY,
Speaker OF the House Of Representatives
GEORGE II. PROUTY,
President of the Senate.
Approved November H. 1906
FLETCHER d. PROCTOR
Governor
In accordance with this resolution
Governor Proctor appointed as members
OF tbs commission
Walter f. Howard, OF Middlebury
Horace w. Bailey. of Newbury.
r. W. McCuen of Vergennes
Lynn NJ. Hays, OF Essex Junction.
Walter II. Crockett. OF st Adams.
NJ. d. Mcmahon. OF Burlington.
The first meeting of the commission
was held at Burlington, February S, 1907,
At which time Governor Proctor was
made chairman. Walter L. Howard.
chairman pro tenn, and L. NJ. Hays,
secretary Snce that date seven meetings
have been held, either OF the commission
as a whole or OF subcommittee ap-
pointed by the chairman
On March p. 1907, a committee COM
posed OF Messrs. Howard and Crockett
vlvted Albany and discussed with men,
bers of the New York Legislature the
suggestion that New York Join with
Vermont In the proposed celebration.
on March 90 Messrs Bailey and Hays
visited ottawa TO present the invitation
20 Canada. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the pre-
mier, expressed himself as being in
hearty accord with the plan and stated
that II 1t should become an event In
which our national government would
take part Canada could be depended up
,n for cooperation.
On September the first Joint meeting
Of the Vermont and New York COM
missions was held at Bluff Point, " Y.
Governor Hughes having appointed a
commission in accordance with resolu-
ton adopted by the New York Legisla-
turc
ON December l. Senator Henry w
lin and Hon. +. S, Witherbee. Of the
New York commission. and Messrs
Crockett and Hays, of the Vermont com
mission. visited Washington and, &C
companied by Senators Proctor ant
Dillingham; and Representative Foster
presented the project to Hon. Elihu Root
secretary Of state. The secretary ex
pressed his approval Of the proposed
celebration and said the national govern
ment ought to fuhll its part and he sug
gested that n Joint memorial by the tw'
State commissions he sent to Congress
Mr.. Foster presented the Vermont mem
hers to President Roosevelt, who showed
marked interest in the project ant
promised to lend his aid.
On April 80 the President Transmitted
10 the House OF Representatives the join
memorial with view to appropriate
action" This message was referred T.
the committee on foreign relations.
II was so late In the session, however
that decisive action was not taken ant
its consideration went over to tho De
oember session. We are assured that a
that session favorable action will b.
taken.
The commission desires to call the at
tention OF the General Assembly to tn
fact that Samuel Champlain. In July
1909, not only discovered tho beautiful
body, of water which bears his NAM
but also was the first Europeon to sc
eyes upon any part OF the territory nov
known as Vermont. The year 1872 there
fore. viii 17e the three hundrcdth ami
versary Of the discovery OF Vermont. al
well as that OF Lake Champaign and /
have attained the most advanced civilza