The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-01-22
sSudden Prosperity Woman Often Times Foolish Things
HOUSE MAKES APOLOGY
Had "coushed Down" Aged Member
Who Opposed Salary Increase

WV SPPSss1 Satsfy increase
There was an incident of consider
able human interest during the de-
bate over the bill to increase the pay
of the legislators from So 10 81 a
day, says the Barre times.
Mr. Adams OF Marlboro, an older
gentleman who sits on the back seat
IN one of the further corners of the
hail, arose TO speak against the
bill. He had said the other day when
the bill was up for its third reading
that he was elected with the expecta-
ton of receiving So a day for his
work and he could not conscientious
ly take any more than that from the
state. The argument had been made
the other day that the salaries had
been set at SO day in 1867 and that
the cost of living had increased since
then. Mr. Adams was refutlng this
argument He said that he was alive
in 1867 and was relating the prices
ON certain articles then and now. A
suit of clothes then cost him SIS He
now bought the same for Sc. A bar
rel of flour then cost him $l2 and
more. Now il could be bought for
So, etc.
Just about this time the over anx-
ious salary-grabbers set up a little
cough. The noise was slight and
scattered at first 1t increased in
volume rapidly until within few
seconds the place sounded like an
animal tent and person could not
be heard Mr. Adams who is a reti-
cent old gentlemen with grey hair.
whose age is set down in the direc-
tory at 81, sat down and the tears
came into his eyes. He had been
coughed down The presiding oficer
raped for order and when Mr.. Ad-
ans started in again you could have
heard a pin drop. He said that he
had not intended to weary the House
by alking too much time, that he was
sorry if he had done it, but he want
ed TO express himself as opposed to
the bill. as he did the other day, be-
cause he thought he ought TO. He
apologized to the House and said that
he would trouble them by talking no
more, The House was sorry. Man.
tears came into the eyes of those
present and the more thoughtful
members were exasperated.
Mr. Hewitt Of Berlin arose and
with vigor called the House down,
saying that the man who had been
lnsulted was one of the best men,
bers OF the House and he hoped the
day would never come when 1t would
be said that Vermonters would not
allow both sides of a question to be
heard on the floor of the hall OF rep
resentatives. Mr.. Williams OF New.
port said that Mr.. Adams had repre-
scented his town in the legislature "a
years ago and was one Of the most
valuable members OF the House.
Speaker Cheney said he had served
many sessions with Mr. Adams and he
esteemed him highly He felt sure
the House did not do II Intentional
". Mr.. Howe of Bennington said
that the House had insulted one Of
the most conscientious and hard work
ing members and he moved that the
House extend its apologies and by a
rising vote request him to continue.
The House really didn't intend TO dc
II. and every member arose Mr.
Adams arose and thanked the mem
bers for their expression Of apology
and said that he had nothing more 60
say. He just wanted to speak
against the measure he thought was
wrong. That the House forgot itself
only and really holds Mr.. Adams in
high esteem, was demonstrated by
the little caucus held in the back
part Of The hall after adjournment.
Everybody came up TO shake hands
with him and he was soon feeling
his fine old self again.
A yea and nay vote was taken on
the question and the bill raising the
salaries was passed l4S to Il.