davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-29
OUR BASE BALL PLATFORM.

!2ase ball leagues, Ike political parties,
are Obliged to have a declaration Of prin-
ciples. although it is not always called
by that name 1t also differs from the
political platform at times in being
guaranty Of good faith, and not neces-
sariy for publication.
The men behind the project to form
base ball league in Vermont this year
have not only formulated but also pub
h.hed a platform Of principles which, in
will be embodied in rules ana an agree
mont These include some basic princi-
lies. held to lie at the foundation of a
permanent base ball organization in this
State, and they have already served to
encourage some towns that had resolved
10 drop the matter for once and all, to
make another effort to support base ball,
Concerning this project Editor Tobin Of
the Swanton Courier says:
BY news item In the Free Press we
lenIn that Montpelier Barre. Rutland
Burlington and probably Plattsburgh
will Join hands again and form base
bail league composed strictly of college
men Furthermore that the league will be
run on a business basis with salary limit
OF 81 800 per month. which all must hold
TO-. No contract jumpers are to be allow
I'd to play. Well, II the enthusiasts will
only follow these splendid rules they can
have gilt edge sport and more evenly
matched teams. Keep the salary limit
Gown and be satisfied to let every team
| ia the league have a chance at the nag,
This Is the whole proposition, concisely
stated, save that it should also be added
that as fair umpires as can possibly be
secured have been pronounced an abso-
lutely essential to satisfactory and con-
sc auently to successful base ball In this
region. The men interested have con-
cen;ed to stand behind the project on
condition that these principles or rules
are thoroughly carried out. and 1t Is be-
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-29

The News confesses to q somewhat
kindred feeling. in that u would not
have the small towns lose their power
In the Legislature. It has always hop
ed. however. that in some way salts
factory scheme might be davised to
reduce the number Of representatives
In the House. II has been given out
recently that II the small towns would
consider district representation on :.
basis of 1000 to 5000 inhabitants. the
larger towns would be satisfied with
one representative as at present.
IF this could be carried out the News
believes II would be a proposition OF
value to the state, and this without
changing the present power Of the
small towns In the Legislature. II the
Waterbury neighbor considers that the
News Is surrcndering its former posi-
ton In the above declaration 1t has
another guess coming.
or course II may be argued that I'M
der the above plan we are neither on a
te~n unit or population basis of
representation, all Of which IL true:
but what Of Il? We should have n
smaller House Of Representatives
which. as II seems to the News, would
he more desirable in that we should
get better consideration Of legislatiNc
measures ana a greatly reduced coS
The Northneld News has been a con-
sistent champion OF the supremacy OF
the small towns In the Vermont Lcgis-
lature. and now that Editor whitney
sees a practical way OF securing the
reduction in the size Of the House he
has wanted without ehdangerlns the
paramountcy Of the small town and at
the same time of gaining a much
needed curtailment in the expense Of
our legislative sessions. he Is not to
be scared out OF the reasonable atti-
tude he has taken in the cause of
legislative reform and economy.
We believe sincerely that the moro
other intelligent advocates Of the
present system Of representation in
the House study the proposition the
more they will be inclined to Join Edi-
tor whitney In the CONNIE ndable and
at the same time thoroughly loyal
stand he has taken. Tho House can
be reduced In size from 346 to $50
without endanKering the supremacy oi
the small towns in the Legislature
according to the plan proposed. The
| saving In ten years would build thc
new normal school buildings called
| far in twenty years toward that grand
system of highways which the people
| of Vermont are seeking to provide.
Shall we go on n-edlessly wasting
money on Legislature practically
| one-third too large?
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-29
CHAMPLAIN ENTHUSIASM ON THE
PACIFIC SLOPE.

Enthusiasm over the Champlain
celebration is by no means confined
to the Champlain valley, nor to New
York and Vermont, as some people may
have supposed. On the contrary Yer
monters on the Pacific slope are
thoroughly interested in the project to
commemorate in a suitable manner the
discovery of the most splendid body
of water lying wholly within the Uni
ted States.
The Rev J. J. Lewis. who has been
dcvotin1 part of his sojourn in Cali
fornia oregon and Washington to the
awakening Of interest in the tercen-
tenary announces that he found no
more enthusiastic advocate of a fitting
celebration Of Samuel de Champlaina
advent in this region than Archbishop
Christie of Portland. This distinguish
ed prelate Of the Roman Catholic
Church, who Is one of the most elo-
quent and popular ecclesiastics on the
Pacific slope and a magnificent speci-
men OF manhood. standing over six
feet and having a splendid appearance,
Is a native Of Sheldon Franklin coun-
ty, and as thorough a Vermonter as
can be found anywhere
The province of Archbishop Christie
includes the States of Oregon and
Washington as we'll as British Column
bia, and 1t Is one OF the most compre
hensive as we'll as one of the most
important on the continent. II IT
should transpire that neither Cardinal
Gibbons nor Archbishop ireland can
Join with Archbishop O'Connell of Bos-
ton in the religious services with
which Champlain week will begin on
Sunday, July 4 those having this part
of the program in charge might we'll
considsr the matter of extending an
invitation to a son of Vermont, Arch
bishop Christie.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-29
WOOD A COSTLY LUXURY.
IL II wise to Build Expe nsiveIy for
Bonarcs,

(From the Rochester Democracy
The recent destruction by fire in this
city Of many detached dwellings. as well
as apartment house. and churches. with
. loss OF approximately $4,000 in a
few hours, IL calling attention sharply
70 the necessity OF using less inham-
nahle building material, II a sweeping
confederation Is 70 be averted.
The Gibbs street fire afforded on OPP
psrtunity for observation, and the re-
suits Of such observation should not be
neglected. At one time during the burn
ing Of the Temple Perth kodesh the
entire northeastern section of the city
was in danger of destruction A shift
ing Of a few points in the wind would
have imperiled the entire central por-
ton Of the city. It was only by the
excellent work of the IRE department,
aided by hundreds OF citizens who ex-
tinguished incipient fires on the shnGla
roofs Of residences that the fire was
prevented from sweeping the residence
section from University avenue to Clif-
ford street
II Is an appropriate time just now to
consider seriously rome figures given in
NcClure's magazine regarding losses by
IRE in this country, by f. ". FitzPat-
rick, consulting architect of the Inter-
national society Of state and Municipal
Building Commissioners and inspectors.
From the mass Of statistics given by tho
expert a few are selected which bear
directly on the question Of the use Of
proper material in erecting buildings on
burned districts
! According to Mr.. FITZPATRICK. the year
1907 was normal" That is. no great con-
hagrations occurred. yet buildings and
property to the amount of s2l5,0co 90
were destroyed He estimates that Of
the sl95 100000 expended in a gamble
with the insurance companies In bet
that our property will not burn scant
sa5,010r0o is returned in the way of paid
losses. For the maintenance of Are de-
partments. high pressure systems and
all those so-called yet often ineffective.
curative agents" 500, o'o 900 was expended.
The cost Of nre and its accessories in
round numbers is placed ~ an even $50,
600 COO a year. The most active year IN
building construction shows an expend-
ture for such building Of $1,000 900. or
only S5.o0o011 greater than the yearly
fire loss.
A large part OF Mr.. FitzPatrick's
paper Is devoted to criticism OF the
| innammanle materials used in construct
ing buildings in this country. He shows
that the fire loss per capita in tho
United states Is far greater than in
Ola World countries where lumber is
scarce. and where less inhammable ma
terials are of necessity used. The Nc
Clure writer says: Apart from any
incidental or accompanying expense the
cost of fire. OF actual combustion and
destruction by fire in this country. Is
equivalent TO so.90 per capita. In Italy
1t is 70 cents; in Germany ~ cents in
thirty foreign cities the average is st
cents. while in 252 American cities II is
$50"
The conclusion drawn from these sig
nifcent figures is that the large proper
ton of the fire loss In this country
could be avoided it intelligent methods
OF tuildng should be adopted
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-29

licved that the faithful observance Of
platform of this character will do more
20 rehabiltate and reinstate base ball
In popular favor in Vermont than any
ether step that could possibly be taken.
This is as far as the management Of
the various associations representing the
different towns in tho league can GO.
Different classes of patrons OF the game
must do their part also, however. If the
project in hand is to he the success 1t
ought to be and that 1t will be, with the
right kind of cooperation.
In the first place those who patronize
cannot endure If one team wins all the
games. and that If this sort Of game Is
TO he played, the home team must be
supported in its losing streaks as well
as when 1t stands at the head of the
percentage column.
IN the second Place every patron OF
the game should dscountenarce and con-
denim utterly the slightest indication Of
q disposition on the part of any one who
wagers on the game to endeavor to In
fuence any of the players to throw q
game or in any other underhanded way
to shape the outcome.
If the people can lie convinced that
the league is to be formed with the ex-
press understanding that we are to have
honest base ball, squarely played and
fairly umplred, they will not only attend
in soodly number but they will also be
prepared to applaud brilliant plays
whether on the part of home players or
visitOrs. Thus may We cultivate that
spirit Of genuine sport which distinguishes
manly competition on the athletic field
from mere brute force on the one hand
and dishonest cunning on the other.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-29
THOUSANDS OF POST CARDS.
Will Have Picture and History of First
Steamer on Lake ChampIain.

Frank y. Winans OF the firm OF WI
mans Brothers Of Basin Harbor was IN
town Tuesday and while here took or
ders for many thousands Of a card which
they recently had copyrighted. and which
Will have a special interest at this time
In view OF the coming tercentenary cele-
bration. The card shows a cut OF tha
nrst steamboat on Lake Champlan
(Which was the second steamboat in the
world and gives a short history q the
Loaf. The first order which Messrs. vi
mans placed with the makers Of this card
in Germany was for one hundred thou
sand
Two brothers. John and James Winans
the former va. great uncle and the lat
ter grandfather OF the present Winans
brstherS. were employed in 1907 in tho
construction Of Fulton's first steamboat,
ana tho next season the first boat on
Lake Chanplsin was built under their
supervision. being launched at the foot
Of what is now King street in this city.
The boat wss then taken to Basin Har-
Dor. where II WAS completed by the two
Winans eretherr. where they had quite
an extensive shipyard for many years.
This boat was owned by the Win.ns
brothers. who named II the Vermont"
ana it was commanded by John Wnans
as captain.
James F. Winans Of Newark y. j..
another grandson of James Winans, and
who was a few years ago connected with
the ". r. Greene company Of this city
as q travelling salesman, has arranged 20
90 some work in the construction of a
fac simile o. the Clermont buttons first
boat which is to be built this summer
In New York for the Fulton Hudson
celebr ton this autumn.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-29
ABOLISH THE MOSQUITO.

The following suggestions for getting
rid Of the mosquito are published in
Suburban Life for May, and are right to
the point.
Do away with all stagnant water about;
mosquitoes cannot breed without water.
Remove tonato-cans, broken bottles.
old buckets, or anything of a similar
nature which may catch rain-water.
Permanent standing water should be
covered with coal oil The oil must make
thin aim over the entire surface. pre-
venting the wrigxlers from coming to
the surface to breathe. One ounce of oil
will cover fifteen square feet OF water.
Although mosquitoes do not breed in
weeds and PUSHES. the latter will harbor
them. Weeds should be removed and
even shrubs thinncd out
Place goldfish, minnows and sun sh
in watering -troughs, lily-ponds. or foun-
tans. They Will eat the wrisglers.
To rid the house of mosquitoes. fumi-
gate it with sulphur or pyrethrum pow
der IT will stupefy them When they
fall to the foor. they should be swept up
and burned.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-29
THE WORK OF FORESTRY.

Vermont has made an excellent start
in the matter of forestation. The act
providing for a State forester provides
that this official may at the discre.
tion of the board, use such proportion
of the sum appropriated as seems reas-
enable for the further development Of
the nursery for forest seedlings, and
for the purpose of supplying such
seedlings for the planting of State
forest reserves and of private lands.
as provided in section 365 of the Pub
statutes" A considerable number of
our citizens are taking advantage Of
this provision to begin forestry on
their own lands,
Our neighbors of New York are also
taking commendable steps in the wa,
of forestation. 1t is announced that
James s. Whipple, forest, fish and game
commissioner, has not only planted
more trees In that State than has been
planted by the national government.
but this year he has made another
ment. The commission has sold to
private land owners at cost 1904 $50
land within the State. This Is one
of the tangible results Of the work
ha- in M nf
reforestation and the preservation Of
our forests by the department in the
past three years. Shipments will be-
gin in the next few days. The guam
tity in several of the counties Is as
follows Franklin, 800; Clinton. H.
ooo Essex, 100000 Fulton, $500;
Hamilton. $4,000: <~herKimer, s,lo0;
Lewis, 10000; oneida, $500; st. Law
renee 10000, Saratoga, 1900; War
rem 1900.
This means that $40 different par
ties will plant 1,O34.05O trees in As
of the counties of the state for the
! purpose of growing wood crops. The
success Commissioner Whipple has
won in arousing public interest in
forestation is shown by the way citi-
2ens are planting trees. He has
( awakened them to the necessity OF
forests. their economical and profit
able utilization. Not one half of the
applications could be filled.
1t is evident that the work Of re-
! ponulating our forests on both sides
of Lake Champlain will soon be n
operation on an extended scale. AS
soon as people discover generally thai
1t is for their own interests as wei
as those of the community to plant
trees, then the movement will take
on the proportions to which 1t is en-
titled.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-29

A chapter Of the work Is devoted to
historical questions in dispute regard
Ing Lake Champlain, including the
mooted point whether Champaign ever
stepped his foot upon Vermont soil.
the exact location of the battle be-
tween Champlain and the Iroquois and
Of early Notifications at different
points on Lake Champlain.
This excellent work concludes with
the stirring poem on Lake Champlain
by the Rev. A. J. Hough, the Vermont
poet, which ends with the following
stanza:
And while the mountains fash the
flame,
AS mornings splendor breaks.
Vermonters will with pride acclaim,
Champlain--the gem Of lakes.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-29
PATRONIZE HOME MERCHANTS.

II you are conducting business in
town to the prosperity OF which YOU are
contributing in material manner, you
know how it gals you to learn that some
of your townsmen have gone outside OF
the community to secure commodities
which you are trying to supply as
means of livelihood, You are then In
position to appreciate the following
splendid suggestions from the columns
OF the Swanton Courier.
A few OF the state papers are discus
ssing the catalogue houses and soap clubs
which are proving SO runous to the
country merchants. This is something
the Courier has been agitating for some
time and we are glad to see the State
press take II up. The amount Of money
that goes to catalogue houses and soap
concerns every week from Vermont
communities, big and little, is astonish-
Ing and not a few families in country
towns can be attributed to the competi-
ton of these big concerns that sap the
life out OF the small merchant
II the homo merchant can supply your
wants at a reasonable profit to himself,
patrOnlZe MN even IT you can get tHe
same thing trifle cheaper of some big
trust hundreds of miles away. 1t Is the
home merchant that helps pay the taxes;
II Is the home merchant that goes into
his pocket usually. to aid in every
charitable movement: II Is the home
merchant that is relied upon to boost
along public enterprises. But what are
the catalogue houses and the soap con-
Germs doing all this time? Just singing
you in some way and don't you forget
1t. Try the home merchant first.
This Is splendid advice which will APP
peal strongly to every fairminded citi'
zen who stops to consider the subject
and it is to be hoped that every citizen
of Burlington as we'll as OF other towns
will bear this in mind when concerns
outside of Vermont try to induce then
to send their money elsewhere for goods
that home merchants can furnish. Thu
man who sends his check to the larger
cities for the commodities he can buy a
home must not complain If his neighbor'
80 the same thing when they find hin
tut, but then it will be another story.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-29
LIQUOR LICENSE FEES.

Whatever may be the technical feat
ures Of the situation City Attorney
Macomber Is probably correct so far
as the spirit OF the law Is concerned
city or town to collect fees for licenses
to sell Intoxicating liquor, In addition
to those imposed under State author
ity. Mr.. Macomber finds no authority
for inserting the word liquor" before
saloon in that provision of the char
ter enabling the city to license saloons.
billiard parlors, and other places of
similar character.
Taking the other side OF the prop
possible, then the city could grant
such licenses even though the people
had not voted to authorize the sale of
Intoxicating liquor as beverage,
which would he absurd.
We will go a step further and say
that even If the city could collect
liCuor license fces, IN addition TO those
imposed by the license commissioners
under the state law, 1t would not be
Of avail for the local treasures, for
no matter how large a sum is collect
cd from the holders Of liquor licenses
it must all he turned over to the State
The Public statutes relating to the
disposition of liquor license fees were
amended by the last Legislature TO
read as follows:
License fees shall be paid to the
town treasurer, who shall forthwith
pay the same TO the state treasurer"
In view Of this situation we shall be
| surprised If the courts do not decide
that the license fees imposed by tho
| municipal authorities of Bennington
and other towns. in addition to those
imposed by the regular license COM
missioners. muSt be paid over to the
| State treasurer.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-29

The announcement that President !
Taft is not greatly disturbed over the
revenue producing power of the tariff |
measure, but is more anxious that the
measure shall fulfll the promises made
OF genuine revision downward, sug-
gcsts way in which Congress can
dispose of the whole matter without
mourning great risk in any direction.
Our national lawmakers can revise
the tariff schedules according to the
promises made in the national cam
supposton that IL will provide SUM-
cient revenue. At any time later on,
II the new tariff act should prove to
produce inadequate revenue for the
needs of the government, Congress
could pass an act providing for some
sort Of tax Just as well as at present.
cedure would be that the republicans
would not have to face the RESPONSE
bility for tax which they might not
need and which would consequently
make the party needleSsly unpopular
Congress will be in session next
winter as well as year later, and
whenever the new tariff bill is found
to be deficient as a producer of rev.
enue it will he possible to adopt some
measure to replenish the treasury. In
the first place the new measure woulC
| be wholly outside of the tariff and
would consequently not affect values.
In the second place it can bo made to
take effect almost Immediately. In
| the third place it would be possible
| for Congress then to adopt either
tax on the dividends Of corporations,
as suggested by President Taft, or
! tax on incomes or a tax on checks and
other paper. as may be deemed best
| in the light of the situation as the
same may appear. at that time.
Manifestly there is nothing to be
lest by waiting to provide an omer-
gency measure as purely revenue
act. for not much of a deficit could
heap up during the few months that
will elapse between the date when
the new tariff law takes effect and
the opening of the regular session of
| Congress next December. There would
seem to be every reasno, therefore for
postponing the adoption Of an income
tax or a substitute therefor until the
absolute need of such q measure has
been thoroughly demonstrated.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-29
THE STORY TELLER.
QUICK w1TTED D1vrNEs.

Or. +. s. Henson once delivered his
lecture on Fools" at the New York
Ctautau1us. In introducing him, Bishop
Vincent said:
Ladies and gentlemen, we are now to
nsten to a lecture on Fools" by one
tte audience broke into roar of laugh
ter and after 1t had died away, Bishop
Vincent added--"of the most brilliant
men in America
Or. Henson rose, and with genial
smile said; Ladies' and gentlemen am
not SO great n fool as Bishop Vincent
another roar OF laughter. after which
the speaker added)-would have you be-
licve. "-JufCc.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-29
TIMES HAD CHANGED.

The weary hunters returned to the VII
laFe in deep chagrir.
You told us about the bears on the
hills" burted one OF the nimrods. an
grily.
II surely did, bub," drawled the oldest
inhahitant of the settlement. See any?"
Not a one"
bob cats?"
Not q trace Of them"
The old man lit his pipe.
wall, that do beat everything" he
remarked drily. Thar was plenty OF
them thar sixty nine years ago when
Aas a boy. Perhaps"
But the disappointed hunters were
making strides for the station.