The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-10-14
The HERMIT OF wooDFoRD
Some Newsy Observations by Repre-
sentative s. M. Bowles
Montpelier, oct. 10, 10.

sentative .. NJ. boWles
Montpelier, Oct 10, 10.
Dear Banner and Friends We are
here because We are here" At the
close Of last session Of the legisla-
ture l did not eyen' dream that
would be my own successor as repre-
sentative from my town in the state
legislature. but it seems that it was
so 70 be.
On my arrival at Montpelier last
week Tuesday afternoon, | found
many old acquaintances, and lots of
new ones with whom it was very
easy TO connect" While on my way
to hand my certificate of election to
the secretary of state | met Governor
Prouty on the marble floor. who said,
Il am glad to see you here again." I
replied that my people wanted to pun
ish me and sent me back. In return
for this bit of iollifcation, the gov
ernor, still holding my hand, said that
! deserved the punishment I
thanked him, bowed and passed on.
TO be serious, it is the consensus OF
opinions Of all whom I have heard
make utterance concerning It, that
the administration of Gov George II.
Prouty has been one of the brightest
and most intellectual for the upbuild-
ing of Vermont in various ways that
the state has ever had. No doubt
but what his successor win give the
state thorough business administra-
ton. Everything indicates this at
the opening.
It was a great pleasure for me to
meet Hon. Frederick G. Fleetwood
and Ex.Speaker Cheney Of Morris
vile who slapped me on the shoulder
like school boys.
| occupy the same seat, 251, had
my two terms before Somehow. in
the drawing of seats Woodford has
been lucky. In the session of 1894
the slip bearing name of the town
was the second drawn from the box
by the clerk: in 1908 it was the fifth.
and this time it only ran up to the
10th. Peru. Brother Hapgood's town,
was the 246th, and last drawn. But
this was all like a lottery, and Just
happened So and would have been
just the same IL the Inca" did not
reside in that good old town.
George Briggs, the bright young
member from Searsburg was FORUM
ate, without standing long, to secure
the seat. number 2, occupied by his
father. Hon Allen Briggs, 90 years
ago. My seat-mate this time is Hon.
J. W. Davis of Fairlee, while two
years ago it was Hon Everett LeRay
OF Searshurg; 16 years ago. Hon Geo.
Burt of Sunderland.
The governors reception last
Thursday evening was a magnificent
affair as usual. I'm line with Cover
nors Prouty and Mead, were also ex-
Governors Woodbury. and Ormsbee,
Z. s. Senators Page and Dillingham;.
and their wives. We all passed in re.
view before the dlgnitaries and took
the hand of each. Senator Page re.
marked that he had known me since
was small boy. This was news to
me for do not recall OF ever hap
pening to meet the honorable gentle.
man until two years ago in this same
place and while performing the same
functions Mr.. Page was much pleas
ed when 7 named Bennington gentle
men who wished to be remembered
to him.
The Montpelier city orchestra fur
nished artistic music for the memoir
able occasion.
Judge Norman Madison of Glasten-
bury and Atty. Addison G Stone of
Wallingford who we're "solons" with
me here in session Of 1894 are here
now again. as Is also Joseph G. Mar
tin Of Brookline, a prominent real es.
tate agent and counsellor at law. II
is certainly a pleasure TO meet the
odd boys and make the acauain.
lance of many new ones. One day
last week I saw here lawyers Daniel
A. Guiltinan and Edward l.. Bates and
Druggist VIM. L. Gokay OF Benning.
ton. who were at the capital on bust.
ness Of their own.
On Sunday I occupied my pew In
Bethany church, as usual, and listen.
ed to a good sermon on Unity" by
the pastor, Rev. Mr.. Bloomfield. who
in his prayer asked the Almighty to
give wisdom TO the governor and the
Lawmakers Of our beloved common.
wealth.
Speaker Howe was busy all Satur.
day and Monday making up his com.
mittees and II is probable that the
ponderous machinery for law.makins
will be set rolling earlier in the SEES
sion than has been the custom IN
years Of the past, all OF which will
be satisfactory to
The Hermit OF Wnndfnrd