Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1915-03-24
THE TRIP TO MONTPELIER,

l. NJ,
On Thursday morning sixteen people
from Barton and West Glover boarded
the mail train south at 7O8 o'clock.
All had pleasant time on the train,
especially after the Barnet people
Joined us. We changed cars at Wells
River and after we were well on our
way to Montpelier. the grammar school
boys were so hungry that they could
not wait any longer before eating their
dinners and at 10 a m., the girls
followed suit. At 11.3O a. m.. we
arrived in Montpelier and went directly
to the capitol building, Some of the
girls were so afraid that they would
have to give a report when they got
home that they began by counting the
steps leading to the building.
Before entering we noticed two
cannon at the left of the door. They
were taken from the Germans at the
battle of Bennington, Aug. 19, 1777.
On the other side of the door was
statue of Ethan Allen. which shows his
strong and firm character. On enter
ing the building all rushed to the
water tank, saying that Barton was
dry. We were told both houses were
about to adjourn, so we spent little
time on the first floor looking at the
pieces of marble from different sec
tions of Vermont, relics of the Indian.
such as knives, gOuges, hatchets and
pottery, stuffed animals and birds such
as the black bear. fox, ermine, blue
jay, raven. blue bird, warbler. scarlet
tanager, redheaded woodpecker and
owl.
At 1890 we left the building and
went to the stores, and to the hotel to
rest for while. Later we returned
to the capitol. Mr.. Seaver and Mr.
Hamblet very kindly took US around to
see everything interesting. We went
into the Office of the governor and met
Mr.. Gates. He gave US the privilege
of looking around the room, especially
at the paintings of some of the former
governors. Among the paintings were
ones of Dillingham;, Prouty, Ormsbee.
Skinner, Paige and Fletcher. After
| leaving this room those who wanted
to, went up into the dome. The
Barton girls. some at least, were very
anxious to wait until the last trip up,
as only ten could go up at time
Ask Maryethel and Helen why.
| The party next visited the senate in
which there are thirty members. AS
we entered, the secretary was about to
read bill. After the first reading,
the presiding officer, Hale K. Darling,
declared second reading which was
the title only. The third reading was
to be given the next morning.
We went next into the house of
representatives Here are two hun
dred and forty-six members. They
were discussing direct primaries and
referendum. When it came to the
matter of voting the speaker arose and
said, 'The question is, Shall the bill
pass?' He then commanded the
clerk to call the roll. In answer te
the roll each member voted on the bill
voted the speaker gave the results
voted no. Each member when votine
was allowed to give his reasons fol
voting as he did few took advantage
of this.
At 3.45 we were obliged to leave
the building in order to reach tn.
station in time for the train, whicl
did not leave until 4.30 p. m. Afte
we were on our way home we openet
our lunch boxes and partook of wha
was in them. But the B. A. girl
were so interested they forgot tha
their places were in another car
Never mind, they got all they wante
} at Wells River and settled down to
stage of more peacefulness by the tim
the train passed Willoughby.
Ruth Gleason, Is.
J Considerable discussion arose con
cerning whether low round trip rat
! could be secured for those who desire
to visit the state capitol. After
! great deal of hard work on the part o
Mr. Blood, our local station agent, tn
!, pupils were able to make the trip fo
: So o. The members of the part
5 appreciate Mr.. Blood's interest i
5 their behalf.