Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1920-01-16
JOHN A.. MEAD
CONTINUED from page one)

tural advantages, that gave to Kat an
its chief industry, 1t was the strength
of one man.
There is the suggestion abroad of TIT
characterization OF industry. There arr
those who plan new world wherein
masters of men find no place and the
commanding spirit no sphere for it,
exercise. 1t will never be. God makes
his men of might and dominance-not
over plentifully, but he makes them
now and then, and it is they who build
cities and make whole country-sides
blossom anew in happiness and peace
If every town in Vermont had this
day a man of power like DR.. Mead
our good State would double its popu-
lation and wealth in twenty years
1t is not strange that one so success
full in private affairs should have been
called upon for public service. In
1893 DR.. Mead became the first Mayor
of Rutland, devoting to municipal in
terests that same sound judgment and
careful attention to matters great or
small which he gave to his own bust
ness. In 1892 he represented Rutland
County in the Senate. In 1906 he re-
presented Rutland in the House OF
Representatives serving as Chairman
of the Committee on Banks and a
member of the Committee on Manu-
features. AS Lieutenant Governor in
1908 he held the confidence and affec-
ton of members of the Senate to an
unusual degree. Elected C--'ernor in
1910 he surprised his friends by his
knowledge of State affairs and gave to
Vermont one of the best administra-
tons it has had for many years. Gov
ernor Mead was remarkably successful
in calling to his aid able men compe-
tent to special duties from all parts
of the State, and during his admins
tration our public affairs were conduct
ed smoothly and efficiently with entire
absence of partisan or personal STRIFE
He left the Office with no e"'mies an
with old friendships cemented and
many new ones established. 1t was in
response to very general demand
that he served as delegateat-large to
the Republican National Convention
Of 1912.
AS a companion and friend Cover
nor Mead was genial and kindly warm
hearted, frank, sympathetic, always Civ
ing more than he received. Some of
my pleasantest hours in life have been
spent in his company in his Office and
home or about the college halls at
Middebury. He was one of the most
democratic and approachable of men.
| have often thought that his extreme
and cordially in
relations blinded the eyes of those who
saw him every day to some of his most
qualities Governor Mead
was a very keen and shrewd observer
and man who preserved at all times
an independent and original judgment. |
| have read many books by great
scholars on the Holy Land but |
earned from Governor Mead some
things with his clear eye in Bible /
ands which have never read in books
He had the ability to read between the
ines and beneath the words in public |
announcements and in the addresses of
,mnent men, which enabled him to
discern the inwardness of things to a
legree most unusual These facul-
les made his conversation delightful
md instructive in any company.
Delaying his major benevoiences I'M
il late in life, Governor Mead be
towed upon them the same shrewd
Judgment, the same painstaking care in
,lan and execution which he exercised
in business matters. 1t is
10 easy matter to give away money
sefully Wise benevolence is a diff
ult art. In the choice of his bene-
actions Governor Mead followed the
anne principle he had found good in
Investment, and selected objects near
t home and concerning which he had
ersonal knowledge his college, which
ad trained the powers by which he
ad won his success, and MS home city
AS to his gift of the Mead Memorial
,hapel, | can not do better than to
uote from the letter in which he an
ounced his purpose.
On commemoration of the fiftieth
of my graduation from
College, and in recognition
the gracious kindness of my heaven 5
2 Father to me throughout my life, S
desire to erect a chapel to serve as
place of worship for the college, the i
lme to be known as the Mead Memo t
al Chapel | have in mind a digni- t
ed and substantial structure, in har- S
ony with the other buildings of the S
1llege, and expressive of the sim S
lefty and strength of character for b
hich the inhabitants of this valley
I'd the State of Vermont have always t
zen distinguished" v
ut was my great-great grandfather, t
lie first white settler of this valley, q
no brought the first copy of the Holy
ible into this unbroken wilderness, h
i'd it was his wife, my great-great v
who gathered her large Fl
mily about her in an Indian wigwam b
r the first Christian service of the a
ermont pioneers of this immediate e
gion With this memory ever pres
t., it has been my hope and prayer v
at might be able and permitted to f
lid for this college a suitable place n
+ divine worship and that it might b
e from the highest point on its cam al
S as a symbol of the position, most 81
ointment in every respect, which re
tristan character and religious faith OF
Guild always maintain in its work 81