The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-09-20
Some Vermont Speakers

AS the time approaches for the
election Of a Speaker Of the House of
Representatives it may be OF interest
to consider some of the men who have
occupied that position. Fifty-fve
men have been elected to that office.
The first speaker chosen at the
session of March, 177S. held at Wind
sor, was Joseph Bowker, of Rutland.
He was president Of several conven-
tions for the formation of a state,
held in 1776. He was elected a men,
Der of the Governors Council seven
times. He was the first Judge OF Rut-
land shire Of the county and first
judge of probate for Rutland county
Mr.. Bowker having been elected a
councillor, Nathan Clark was elected,
to succeed him in the Office and pre-
sided at the June session. He was
native of Connecticut, was a mem
Der from Bennington. and was chair
man Of the local committee OF safety,
receiving the thanks Of General Gates
for his promptness in supplying the
American army at Ticonderoga with
flour. One son. Isaac Clark, was a
colonel in the War of 1872 and was
known as "Old Rifle"
In the list Of Vermont speakers
may be found men who have held the
following Offices:
Governors-Isaac Tichenor, Carlos
Coolidge, ]. Gregory Smith. John W.
Stewart, Josiah Grout, William W.
Stlckney Fletcher D. Proctor.
Lieutenant Governors-Joseph
Marsh. Aaron Leland, William c.
Kittridge.
United States Senators-Stephen
R. Bradley. Isaac Tichenor, Dudley
Chase. Solomon Foot. George F. Ed
munds. John W. Stewart.
Representatives in Congress-Na
thaniel Niles. Lewis r. Morris. Gid
con Olin. d. AFRO A. Buck, George F.
Wales, Solomon Foot, Charles II
Joyce. John w. Stewart. II. Henry
Powers. Kittridge Haskins.
Judges-Increase Mosely, Thomas
Porter Nathaniel Niles. Stephen r
Bradley. Theophilus Harrington. Dan
lei Farrand, Dudley Chase, Richard
Skinner, H. Henry Powers. Henry r
District Attorneys-William A
Griswold, Kittrldge Haskins, james
l.. Martin
United States Marshal-Lewls r
Morris.
Secretary OF state-Thomas Chand
Ter Jr.
The speakers who have served
more than one term and the number
Of terms they have held the office. arr
Given herewith: Gideon DIN, seven
D. AFRO A Buck. six: Dudley Chase
George w. Grandey. FIVE; William A
Griswold Aaron Leland. Ebenezer \
BRIGGS, Carlos Coolidge, John W
Stewart, four: Thomas Chandler. Jr
Thomas Porter. Amos Marsh, Rober
q. Bates. John Smith. Solomon Foot
Thomas +. Powers. George F. Ed
munds. Josiah Grout. James l.. MAJ
tin, three, Increase Mosely, Lewis I
Norris. Abel Spencer. Daniel Chipma
George r. Wales. William c. XII
fridge. Augustus p. Hunton, Abraham
B. Gardner. william W. StIcknel
John II. Merriheld. Thomas c. Chez
ey.
Il will be seen from this recor
that some OF the ablest men in We
monts history have occupied IN
speakers chair. finding this ofle
stepping stone TO higher positions.
The legislature OF course choose
is presiding officer. not for 'he pu
pose OF rewardlng or advancing an
man. but with the single object
securing the best possible presidln
officer. II Is important that he sha
be a man familiar with parllamentar
usages, OF good presence. tactful. we
balanced. sklllful In expedltlng bus
ness and above all one who can
depended upon TO make mp the hou.
committees without prejudice or nj
due favor for any special lnteres
Much OF the success OF the sessiC
will depend upon choosing the rigl
man for Speaker.-Montpeller Jou
nal.