davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23
A TOWN SCRAPBOOK.

In a recent editorial, under the cap
ton of "A Town Scrapbook," the Bar
re Times said:
"A valuable suggestion is made by
Josiah II. Benton of Boston to the eff
feet that the public library in every
town should contain scrapbook, in
which newspaper articles and other
writings which pertain to the towns
more important doings should be
placed. Mr. Benton recommends this
scheme as furnishing material for the
historical data of the town when the
time shall come for its compilation in
the form of a written history. He
recommends further that the librari-
an of the town library be commits
stoned to make such collection OF
newspaper clippings and other arti-
cles and to keep them in such shape
that they may be readily Inspected
when the occasion may require. The
suggestion ought to be taken up by the
various towns The individual cllp-
pings would not be of particular
value TO a community, but when Ia
ken in their entirety they would be
well-nigh indispensable in preparing
a complete history of the town al
lowing, of course, lor such slight in
accuracies as might creep into the
various articles. AS The Times has
heretofore stated, local history in
compact form, written at intervals
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23
(Brandon Union.)

% The result of the caucuses held
Tuesday evening would indicate that
John A. Mead is going TO be the next
Governor of Vermont. 1t would seem
that DR.. Mead should have gone into
the convention with Rutland county
solidly with him. Could he have done
so his nomination would have been
assured on the first ballot But few
enemies right here at home prevented
this. A handful of men in Pittsford
swung the caucus to Fleetwood when
beyond a doubt the will of the Pitts
ford people was to send Mead dele
gates. If DR.. Mead lacka a majority
OF the delegates on the fra ballot his
enemies may be depended upon 10
mass their strength and resort to any
and every method no matter how un-
scrupulous, to defeat him. That is the
time it will be anything 20 beat
Mead with vengeance. The idea that
the Free Press should presume to
advise DR.. Mead what he shall do be-
tween this and the convention This
is the time when DR.. Mead should adj
wise with his friends and pay no at
tention to the rawlings of his enemies.
In fact this is the time when words
are cheap and silence is golden. The
good soldier wouldn't advise taking the
enemy into ones confidence in con-
Quoting a campaign. Remember that
political enemy is the most unscrup-
ulous and unmerciful of all enemies.
DR.. Mead has to answer to the people
only and they seem to be indorsing
his campaign methods very hand
sOme1v
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23
ADMIRAL DEWEY'S VISIT.

The news that admiral George
Dewey will soon revisit his native
State is good news to Vermonters, and
ought to demolish a tissue of cruel
and absurd rumors that have been
given very wide credence. When the
Admiral returned from the Far East
the people of this county became al
most hysterical in their enthusiasm
and hero worship. 1t was a form of
patriotic intoxication and naturally
there came a reaction.
A private business transaction, the
real nature of which it is probable the
general public did not understand,
reviling the man who, so recently, had
been lauded to the skies The tickle
ness of public opinion was never more
strikingly illustrated in our own time
than in the case Of Admiral Dewey.
AS a result of almost childish pref
idice, the people of the Nation and
fair judgment upon one of the great
figures of American history No trivial
episode regarding a purely private
business transaction can ever dim
the lustre of the great naval victory OF
Manila Bay. That victory, without the
loss of a single American life, in a
single morning changed the foreign
and domestic policy of the United
States, which had been followed for
more than a century. And the world
realized as it had never realized be-
fore, the power of the greatest of AMI
erican republics History will give
to Admiral Dewey place among the
great naval captains, an honor which
was fairly won. Among the famous
men whom Vermont has given
to the Nation few rank high
er than this son of Mont
pelier. AS he returns to the
Green Mountain State the Journal be-
lieyes the admiration and esteem OF
his fellow Vermonters once more will
be bestowed upon him.
He comes quietly, as private citi-
zen, and his privacy should be re-
spected. But we are glad to have him
come back once more to his home State
and he may be sure of cordial
though unobtrusive welcome. If there
has been any misunderstanding in the
past it ought not to exist longer. We
are proud of his record, which adds
glory to vermont's history. 1t is tc
be hoped that his visit will be so pleas
ant that he may desire to return u
Vermont every summer.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23
A CAMPAIGN OF EDUCATION.
(Bellows Falls Times.l

Speaking OF Superintendent Mason
S. Stones campaign for a more pro-
gressive Vermont the Vergennes En-
terprise says: Superintendent Stone
continues to struggle along with his
campaign of education under great
difficulties. His service in this line
of work is only hair appreciated at
present, but some future Legislature
will recognize the great value of such
a campaign and make suitable pro-
visions for more extensive improve
ment along this same line" 1t may
be that Superintendent Stones good
work is only half appreciated by the
Legislature, but the people of the
towns he visits are appreciative to
an unexpected degree. His meetings
are always well attended, and the in
terest shown in a sober discussion of
the needs and advantages of Vermont
is remarkable. By the judicious
handling of very limited allowance
Superintendent Stone is able to reach
few thousand Vermonters annually
with the gospel of progress and up
lift The seeds sowh by the wayside
are sure to take root and bear fruit
of the right sort.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23
SHORT WEIGHTS IN VERMONT.
(St. Johnsbury Caledonian)

Nol JOnlloDuIy
The report of F. S. Holbrook, spec
ial representative OF the bureau of
Washington, at the conference in Mont
pelier recently, called by Gov. G.. H..
Prouty to discuss weights and mea-
sures, showed that 30. per cent of
the scales in Vermont were incorrect
and that So per cent of these We're
short weight. Liquid measure was
given when the law called for dry
measure and the consumer was cheat
ed and honest competition stifed. Print
butter was found one-eighth of a
pound short, and onions, potatoes and
apples from two to five pounds short
on bushel,
These statements show that the peo-
pie of Vermont have been too indif-
ferent regarding the short weight and
measure evil. Each town for years
has been electing a sealer of weights
and measures simply as a joke and
accepting less than it paid for as a
result. The law we have is believed
to be inadequate and a committee of
five was appointed to draft a bill to
be presented to the Legislature this
fall which will provide for the ap-
pointment of a State sealer of weights
and measures. AS already shown this
is a serious matter and thinking peo-
pie throughout the state should give
this matter immediate thought in or
der that the sentiment Of the people
may be clearly expressed to the va
rious town representatives before they
start for Montpelier, 1t is time the
people act for their own protection
in this fraud.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23

to bring it fairly down to the present
is a very desirable work, and it will
be depended upon to furnish the ma
If the memories of inhabitants are to
bedepended upon to furnish the ma
terial and the facts. Therefore, it
will behoove the officials of towns,
and cities as well, to see that the rec
concentrations of Mr.. Benton are put
into operation in their communities
and that a start be made toward pre-
serving the current facts"
Both the suggestion made by Mr..
Benton, and the comment by the
Times are to be commended highly
as an excellent and practical method
of compiling invaluable material for
a town history. Such a scrapbook,
or series of scrapbooks, might, and
doubtless would, 90 into greater de-
tails than the average town history,
and for that reason would be inval-
liable to persons seeking informa-
ton concerning any of the multitude
of interesting features that make up
the record of a town.
Such a scrapbook might properly
contain information regarding the sons
and daughters of the town who had
won distinction elsewhere. 1t might
contain photographs of public build
ings, any old house about to be torn
down, which possessed any historic
value pictures of public gatherings
and any scenes of historic interest.
We value far too lightly the his
tory OF the life with which we have
an every day familiarity. Over and
over again we have heard aged per-
sons regret that they did not obtain
in their youth detailed information
from the venerable pioneers who
could have told as eye witnesses Of
the stirring events connected witt
the early days of Vermont Future
generations will desire information
concerning our own time, and rec
ord kept by some competent persons
who would compile all the details o.
local interest from week to week
would be of value so great as to b.
practically beyond price.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23
PRESERVING HISTORICAL THINGS
(Barre TimesD

Considerable progress has been
made in Rutland toward raising suffi-
cient money to purchase the building
which is known as the old State
House in that city, There is doubt
in some minds whether the structure
was ever used for the sessions of the
Vermont Legislature, but by others
the statement is believed to be cor
rect and established. 1t seems that
the affirmative opinion prevails, in
asmuch as the subscriptions for the
common purchase fund are coming in
with reasonable promptness, and the
elimination of the project is now
thought likely. If the building is Sc
cured, it will be renovated and then
turned into place for the collection
of things of antiquity, or a historical
museum. That Rutland needs such a
medium for the preservation of things
of historical significance is certain;
and there are many other Vermont
communities which have local his
tory enough to warrant the formation
of societies and the preparation of a
museum for the placing of relics
Among the larger cities, it is con-
sidered a decided lack if a museum
has not been provided, in which to
preserve, at least, local collections
under a common head. Rutland, be-
sides its local history, has had a close
/ association with the upbuilding of the
State government, and the fruitage
of that should be collected, if there
is anything still remaining besides the
old State House" So the purchase of
the structure means more than the
mere preservation of an ancient
house, for it means the beginning OF
a local historical society. A city OF
town with history is far more in
Iteresting than one which has cut of
all association with the past, and Rut-
lands old state House will make q
fitting setting for the effort at retain
ing connection with the past. In the
same manner, Windsor's old "Consti-
tuition House" should serve as a raj
lying point, about which to assemble
interesting associations Other towns
and cities may not have their ancient
buildings connected with historical
events in the States formation, but
they each and everyone have theil
purely local history. 1t is none toe
early to begin preserving the things
connected with it.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23
THE DOWNER STATE FOREST.

(White River Junction Landmark.)
1t is taken for granted that all YER
mont is interested in the big farm
in the town of Sharon lately become
the property of the State through the
Idisinterested and munifcent act of
Charles Downer of that town. State
authorities have given it the title of
the "Downer State Forest a name
that is indicative of tn emajor pur-
pose to which the estate will be en-
Iployed. In a sense the farm will be
practical demonstration in forestry.
Thus early since the acceptance of
the gift by the State there has been
planted total of 10000 evergreen
trees under the direction of State For
ester Austin F. Halves and prepara-
tons are in progress for the sowing
of sufficient seed to produce 100000
Seeding evergreens the present sea-
son and for future rransplanting.
Nor is this all, as the Landmark
understands it is the intention of
Mr.. Halves TO set aside, as soon as
convenient, a section of the land as
an experimental apple orchard and
for demonstrations in fruit culture.
1t is just such an experiment and il
lustration as this that the State sore
ly needs as it is in very truth a rare
thing to find, in this section of the
State at least, properly planted ap-
pie orchard and one with an intelli-
gent selection of varieties.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23
RAILROADS AND DEVELOPMENT
(st. Johnsbury Caledonian.)


The action of the White River Rail-
road in Offering prizes to the most
successful growers of potatoes along
its line, is one that will attract gen.
eral attention. 1t seems live a very
good business move on the part of
the railroad and one that is likely TO
educate the farmers in getting the
largest results from their soil. 1t will
stimulate intensive farming wherever
it entices one to enter the COMPETE
ton and that is what is most needed
among Vermont farmers.
1t will also attract attention am
ons other lines of railroad as a means
of building up business for themselves.
If for instance the Boston and Maine
road should install some prize system
throughout the Passumpsic valley
that would increase the production of
potatoes or fruit or any other farm
product it would reap a direct bene-
fit. If it should develop the fruit bus
mess by system of prizes that would
make it possible to operate special
fruit trains during the harvest season
and get uniform sorting of the fruit
it would enable much larger scale
of fruit culture here than is possible
under present conditions.
The railroads, if they will, can be-
come one of the strongest influences
in developing New England and we
wish the venture of the White River
Railroad success not only for it's own
benefit but for the valuable object les
son it would be to transportation in
lterests in this whole section.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23
VERMONT A PIONEER.
(Brattleboro Phoenix.)

1t should be recorded as an histori-
cal fact that Vermont was the pioneer
State in leading the movement for the
establishment of national depart
ment of agriculture In the early
days of the republic Washington rec
commended home department of ag-
griculture," but nothing came of the
recommendation and the project APP
parently slumbered more than half
a century. In 1S49 the late Frederick
Holbrook of Brattleboro, who was Gov
ernor in 1S61-62, laid the subject of
such department before the Vermont
Legislature, and the result was the
adoption of an extended report, re-
viewing the scheme intelligently and
closing with series of resolutions
in which the general assembly rec
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23
PRESS COMMENT
What the Newspapers Of Vermont
and Other States Are Saying
About Topics Of Interest TO
journal Readers.
THE GovERNORSH1P.
bennington Banner.)


cuses are so conflicting that 1t is
hard to get at an unprecedented state
ment and it is probable it will re-
quire the first ballot in the convention
to show how the delegates actually
stand. The unpledged delegates dom
mate the situation
DR.. Mead has more delegates than
any other candidate, but is from 40
to go short of enough, to- nominate him
and previous campaigns in Vermont
have showed that the last few come
hard under similar circumstances. DR..
Mead is handicapped in increasing
his list of delegates among the un-
pledged by the fact that in most towns
where the delegates are unpledged
there were two tickets in the field,
one for Mead and one unpledged,
but anti-Mead
The unpledged delegations are thus
practically all anti-Mead though it is
sure that the managers OF DR.. Mead
campaign will be able to pick up 6
few of the unpledged delegates,
though with the lines closely drawn
the number will not be large and
those who go to him under such cir
cumstances will be disgraced forever
after by the suspicion that will at
tach to them.
The result in DR.. Mead's own coun-
ty is the worst black eye to his eau
vass. Outside the city of Rutland
he did not carry Rutland county and
this in spite of the fact that the other
candidates made no efforts in Rutland
county. Fair Haven, where Dr. Mead
was Born, went against him by an
Overwhelming majority. There is not
much vitality to the support of any
man who is so completely discredited
where he is best known.
In this connection the DR.. Mead
organs will call attention to the fact
that Mr.. Batchelder did not carry Ben
nington county entire, but the condi-
lions are different. DR.. Mead had paid
agents in Bennington county for
months before Mr.. Batchelder was in
the field getting personal pledges. Dr.
Mead spent money in this county to
gain support while no other candidate
spent dollar in Rutland county. The
contrast between the two conditions
makes the difference most marked
Fleetwood, while having fewer del
egates than DR.. Mead, is not so fa-
| behind as the printed figures indicate
Many of his most enthusiastic sup
porters are uninstructed and so ap
pear in the list as unpledged, but are
none the less certain to be for hin,
when the votes are counted He will
probably run so votes behind DR..
Mead on the first ballot, but his sup.
| port is likely to be more loyal be-
cause less artificial than that OF thc
doctor.
Mr.. Batchelder will go into the con
vention with something over 100 del
egates and will have the balance o
power. In addition to his support
from Bennington and Wiadham coun
ties he has scattering votes from Rut
land, Addison, Chittenden, Washing
ton, Windsor and Orange counties
Under these circumstances his chanc
are just as good as those of eithel
Mead or Fleetwood, and perhaps bet
ter for in spite of all the efforts o
the petty politicians and workers, thu
tendency is to vote for the ablest MAJ
when the break comes.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23
REAL ECONOMY.
bradford Opinion.)

We are talking good deal about a
system of better highways, about ad-
vertising the attractions of Vermont,
about better schools, wiser forestry
methods, etc. These reforms demand
the expenditure of more rather than
less money. This paper believes that
Vermont needs more of the spirit of
progress rather than less of it, and if
that means as it probably does, lar
ger expenditure of money, let us face
II honestly, knowing that is the only
way to achieve the prosperity that
should be ours.
Economy is a good word but it is
a sadly abused word To refrain
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23
LEE STATUE AND THE G. A. r.

The action of the Grand Army con-
"-ntion held in this city in protesting
against permitting the installing in
Statuary Hall at Washington of a
statue of Gen. Robert e. Lee in Con-
federate uniform, need not surprise
anyone. 1t seems to the Journal that
In a commonwealth abundantly rich in
great statesmen it would have been
easy to have found some other ia
nous son worthy of such honor, and
one whose name would have aroused
no protest and no bitterness.
Robert e. Lee was man whose
personal character was high and no.
BILE, and whose military genius en-
titles him to rank with the great cap
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23
ADVERTISING VERMONT.
,MorrisvIlle Messenger.)

The last issue of the Newport Ex-
press contained full page advertise
ment of the village of West Derby.
1t was real estate agent who paid
for it but the idea is a good one and
will do more for that enterprising
village than any one thing. Every
reader of the Express will know that
West Derby is on the map and what
its attractions are. 1t is worth dou-
bic the cost of the advt both to the
village and the advertiser. Other
villages, this for instance, might well
profit by this good example.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23

tafns of history. When the Civil War
broke OFT he was an officer in the
United States Army. He was not
closely associated with the life of Vir-
ginia in the same sense as were men
living in the State or serving it in a
public capacity. He seems to have
hesitated for time whether to re-
main in the Union army or go with
the men of the South. General Scott
was very fond OF him and was ready
to give him command of the Union
troops. Although some other men. OF
Southern birth, who were in the army
remained loyal, he renowned his al
legiance to his country, and devoted
his splendid talents TO the destruction
of the Union and to the perpetuation
of slavery. These are facts of his
tory, and cannot be overlooked.
There is no desire on the part of the
Grand Army veterans to tear open
old wounds, or to hinder the growth
of fraternal feeling between North
land South, but Virginia has gone out
of her way to stir up controversy by
this act and the protest of the men
who know what it cost to save the
Union from the assaults of General
Lees soldiers is perfectly natural.
We should be tolerant in our treat
ment of differences OF opinion over the
old strife between the States, so far
as possible, but there is a point where
tolerance ceases to be virtue, an,
! becomes a weakness. We should new
er concede that the cause of secession
was right We should never admit
the system of human slavery was ben
Efficient And when Virginia would
place in the hall where her sister
States have set up the figures of those
who have been conspicuously emf
nent in their service of establishing
or developing or defending the Union,
in company with George Washington,
the Father of his Country, Robert E.
Lee, the great military genius who
sought to overthrow his country, that
State has trespassed upon the patience
and forbearance of the Nation.
There is no disposition to attack
General Lees memory but Virginia S
action compels the telling of the truth
General Lees fame rests upon his
military service, and that service was
in no sense conspicuous save as the
commander of the armies in revolt
against the Union.
| 1t is to be hoped that never again
will the thought of secession find
Judgment in any State, but if it should
the precedent established by placing
statue of General Lee among the
noblest of those who always kept the
faith might lead some other men
to feel that armed revolt against their
country was not counted a grieyous
sin.
Virginia has invited just such criti-
cisms as that of the Vermont sol
diers. There will be those, doubtless
who will condemn the Vermont vet
Grams for their attitude, but the Jour
nal cannot sympathize with such con.
domination. Yielding to none in its
desire for a complete reconciliation
between North and South, this paper
believes that there must always BIZ
a difference in the degree of honor
bestowed by the Nation on those who
establish it and preserve it, and OF
those who seek to destroy it.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-23

ommended the establishment of the
new department and requested the
Governor to transmit the report to th
President, Secretary of the Interior,
the Governors of each State and all
the Senators and Representatives in
Congress. The members of Congress
were urged to secure the speedy es-
adjustment of the bureau of agricul-
ture on firm and permanent basis