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EDITOR A
Francis H. Goodall, a nati
representative of the old famib
long resident there, completed
of September, fifty years «
service in the Treasury Depart)
ington. Mr. Goodall is a grac
mouth, of the class of 1857; ws
the bar in 1859; practiced at
till the outbreak of the Civil
three months in the "Beloit
then, returning to New Hamp
in the 11th New Hampshir
serving as first sergeant and act
in Company G, till discharged
May 20, 1864. Mr. Goodall
nature in general and of flowers
in the cultivation of which h<
delight. He has been an occa:
utor to the Granite Month
years, and retains a strong ir
native state.
It was stated in the last issue ite Monthly, in the Lancaster the grandmother of Col. Charles of Hotel Vendome, Boston, now Stockwell farm in Lancaster, w; Ruth Page, wife of the first Em well. This is an error. She was of Ruth Page and a sister of the 1 D. StockwelTs father. Colonel therefore, a direct descendant, i generation, from Emmons and ] Stockwell.
With this issue the volume of t Monthly for 1914 is completed, wishing to exchange the unborn for the year, for the bound vok well to notify the publisher soor sufficient number of volumes ma1 These will be ready for exchan 1915. Meanwhile subscribers in please bring their subscription up a year in advance.
The celebration, during the la: October, of the one hundred fifties sary of the granting of the chai town of Claremont, October 26, 1 last event of the kind to be obser State the present season; Fremont, and Lancaster having made notal strations in the same line at ear and a more modest observance anniversary having occurred in This Claremont demonstration, to pages of this issue of the Granite are mainly devoted, was probably extensive and elaborate affair of ever known in New Hampshire, esp
THE
i
GRANITE MONTHLY
A New Hampshire Magazine
DEVOTED TO
History, Biography, Literature and State Progress
VOLUME XLVII NEW SERIES, VOLUME X
CONCORD, N. H.
PUBLISHED BY THE GRANITE MONTHLY COMPANY
1915
CONCORD, N. H.
The Rumford Press 1915
The Granite Monthly
CONTENTS, JANUARY-DECEMBER, 1915
Old Series, Volume XLVII New Series, Volume X
Page
Abigail and Her Roses, by Annie Folsom Clough 389
Art of Walking, The, by Harold L. Ransom 455
Autumn and Its Flora, by Fred Myron Colby 451
Baker Memorial Church and Its New Pastor, The, by James W. Tucker 429
Carey, William W., by H. H. Metcalf 403
Claremont Equal Suffrage Association, by Clara L. Hunton 75
Claremont Revolutionary Soldiers 78
Clark, Hon. A. Chester, by William E. Wallace 93
Col. Timothy Bedel 495
Concord and Portsmouth Turnpike, The, by J. M. Moses 309
Concord Female Charitable Society 304
Concord's One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary 125
CarroU, Col. Lysander H., Postmaster of Concord, 1880-1885 166
Chandler, Hon. William E., Secretary of United States Navy, 1882-1885, and
United States Senator, 1887-1901 150
Chase, Hon. William M., Associate Justice, New Hampshire Supreme Court,
1891-1907 156
Corning, Hon. Charles R., Anniversary Historian 130
Eastman, Hon. Samuel C, Anniversary President 128
Galhnger, Hon. Jacob H., United States Senator, 1891-1921 152
HoUis, Hon. Henry F., United States Senator, 1913-1919 154
Kimball, Samuel S., President of New Hampshire Savings Bank, 1874-1894 148
Kimball, Hon. John, Mayor of Concord, 1872-1875 140
Lyford, James O 162
Martin, Hon. Nathaniel E., Mayor of Concord, 1899-1900 160
Metcalf, Henry Harrison, Chairman of General Committee and Anniversary
Exercises 164
Mitchell, Hon. John M., Associate Justice, Superior Court, 1910-1913. 158
Niles, Rt. Rev. William W., D.D., LL.D., Protestant Episcopal Bishop of New
Hampshire, 1870-1914 138
Parker, Hon. Hosea W., President of Legislative Reunion, Member of House of
Representatives, 1859-1860 134
Reed, Rev. George Harlow, D.D., Pastor of First Congregational Church, Chair- man of Committee on Religious Observance 136
Stevens, Hon. Lyman D., Mayor of Concord, 1868-1869 142
Vannevar, Rev. John, D.D., Anniversary Preacher, Pastor Universalist Church,
1895-1912 132
Walker, Hon. Joseph B., President of New Hampshire Board of Agriculture,
1896-1906 144
White, Nathaniel 146
Concord, The Professional Life of, by Joseph M. Lucier 177
The Legal Profession 177
Clark, Chester A 193
Couch, Benjamin W 183
iv . Contents
Page Concord's One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary — Continued:
Demond, Fred Clarence 195
Doherty, J. Joseph 202
Driscoll, Frank G 202
Dudley, David F 194
Fletcher, George Moore 185
Foster, William A 195
Hill, George V 199
Hollis, Allen 187
Jackson, Robert 200
Lake, Harry F 199
Matthews, Joseph S 189
Murchie, Alexander 198
Murchie, Robert C 198
Niles, Edward C 191
Remick, Judge James Waldron 185
Stevens, Hon. Henry Webster 187
Stevens, William Lyman 200
Streeter, Hon. Frank Sherwin 179
Sulloway, Frank Jones 197
Upton, Robert 197
Woodworth, Edward Knowlton 196
Wright, Robert M 201
The Medical Profession '. 203
Adams, Dr. Chancey 209
Amsden, Dr. Henry H 219
Bancroft, Dr. Charles Parker 213
Beauclerk, Dr. W. Preston 221
Bugbee, Dr. Marion L 211
Clarke, Dr. George Haven 223
Conn, Dr. Granville P 204
Cook, Dr. George 208
Dolloff, Dr. Charles H 224
Douglass, Orlando B., M.D 214
Gove, Dr. John McClure 218
Grafton, Dr. Frank WiUard 219
Graves, Dr. Robert J 220
Hoyt-Stevens, Dr. Elizabeth 217
Sanders, Loren A., M.D 217
Sprague, Dr. Fred A 222
Stanley, Dr. Oramel Henry 223
Stillings, Dr. Ferdinard A 207
Walker, Dr. Charles Rumford 211
Watson, Dr. Irving Allison 205
Wilkins, Dr. RusseU 218
The Dental Profession 226
Albee, Edmund H., D.D.S 226
Cummings, Dr. E. S 230
Moulton, Dr. Louis 1 227
Plaisted, Drs. Lester H. and Harold C 230
Rowell, Dr. George E 228
True, Dr. Charles L 229
Washburn, Dr. Clarence J 229
Coatents v
Page Concord's One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary — Continued:
Worthen, Dr. John Henry 226
Young, Dr. William A 228
Capital City Banks 231
Concord Building and Loan Association 237
First National Bank 231
Loan and Trust Savings Bank 234
Mechanicks National Bank, The 235
Merrimack County Savings Bank, The 236
National State Capital Bank, The 233
New Hampshire Savings Bank, The 236
Concord, The Business Section of, by James W. Tucker 239
Capital City Women 297
Chase, Mrs. William M 301
Frost, Mrs. L. J. H 303
Hoague, Mrs. Mary Tucker 302
Remick, Mrs. Mary Smith 300
Streeter, Mrs. Lilian Carpenter 299
Thorne, Mary Gordon Nichols 301
White, Armenia S 297
Woodworth, Mary Parker 298
Concord's New Bridges 291
Concord's Wonolancet Club 295
Conn, Capt. Jacob 89
Consolation, by George Wilson Jennings 28
Cornish — One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary 397
Country Graveyard, A, by Col. Daniel Hall 447
Country Walk in April, A, by Fred Myron Colby 121
Dearborn, Gen. Henry, by E. D. Hadley 409
Dover, Visits of Famous Men to, by Annie Wentworth Baer 323
Dunbarton — One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary 400
Earlier Transportation in the United States, by Charles Nevers Holmes 443
Early Social Life in New England, by George W. Jennings 512
Editor and Publisher's Notes 32, 92, 124, 316, 348, 428, 460, 516
English Language, The, by Marilla M. Richer Ill
Frankhn Pierce, A Boy's Vision of 449
From the "Shay" to the Motor Car, by Helen Rolfe Holmes 435
Goss, Charles Carpenter, by H. C. Pearson 317
Hall, Rev. Aaron, by Rev. Rodney W. Roundy 5
Haverhill, N. H., Autobiography of the First Bell, by Grace Woodward 80
Hills in October, The, by Jeannette Morrill 425
Hopkinton Celebration 349
Indians of New Hampshire, The, by Charles Nevers Holmes 85
In Tulip Land, by Maude Gordon Roby 313
Is Marriage a Failure, by Marilla M. Richer 23
Legislative Reunion — Concord Anniversary 463
Legislature of 1915, The, by James W. Tucker 33
Libby Museum of Wolfeboro, The 70
Lost Mother, The, by Ellen Weeks Tenney 421
Meredith, N. H., History of the Congregational Church of, by Sarah M. Noyes 97
Million Ancestors, A, by E. P. Tenney 437
New England Story, A, by H. F. Lamb 419
New Hampshire Memorial Hospital for Women and Children, The 224
vi Contents
Page
North Conway Mount Kearsarge, The, by Ellen McRoberts Mason , 72
Old Days at Lake Winnepesaukee, by Bertha Green 345
Orford — One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary 398
Pierce Statue, The 1
Pilgrim's Thanksgiving Day, The, by Gilbert Patten Brown 507
Portsmouth Authors, Reminiscences of, by C. A. Hazlett 103
Portsmouth Marine Society, The, by Frank Warren Hackett 405
Portsmouth " War Journal, " The, by Wallace Hackett 393
Sewel Hoit Homestead, The 305
Taxi with the Blue Door, The, by Edward J. Parchley 509
That Fatal Night, by William Child, M.D 119
"The Flag— Memorial Day Sermon," by Rev. Willis P. Odell, D.D 15
Three Anniversaries — Cornish, Orford and Dunbarton Celebrate Their One Hundred
and Fiftieth 397
Tree of Tamworth, The, by David Alawen 335
Wildcat Story, A, by L. E. Bliss 341
New Hampshire Necrology 30, 90, 122, 315, 347, 395, 426, 459, 514
Adams, Hon. Herbert E 459
Albee, John - 124
Albin, John H 426
Barker, Forest E 30
Beckwith, Mrs. Emily L 91
Bell, William G • 515
Brewster, Lewis W 396
Carleton, Dr. Bukk G 31
Carter, Rev. Nathan F 514
Cate, Leslie W 91
Cavis, Harry M 396
Chamberlain, Hon. William P 348
Champollion, Andre C 124
Chapman, Dr. Sumner F 395
Chellis, Alvah B 91
Clarke, Stephen G 395
Corson, Woodbury E 315
Davis, Rev. Perley B 395
Dean, Col. Bradley 426
Dodge, Arthur P 459
Dutton, Benjamin F 347
Edgerly, Maj. J. Homer 514
Furber, Dudley L 31
Gerrish, James L 91
Goodell, Hon. David H 122
Hadley, Hon. Herbert 0 30
Hildreth, Charles M 124
Hill, Dr. Gardner C 316
Hill, Edward L 395
Hoyt, Col. Albert H " 347
Huntoon, Ora M 30
King, Col. Dana W 31
Marsh, Col. John F 90
McDaniel, Hon. Charles 123
Merrow, Herbert Earl 514
Nims, Marshall W 426
Contents vii
Page New Hampshire Necrology — Continued:
Peck, Thomas Bellows 90
Pecker, Col. Jonathan E 427
Philbrick, Enoch Gerrish 514
Porter, Burrill, Jr 31
Prentiss, George W 123
Proctor, Alexis 396
Rand, Thomas C 123
Roberts, George M 31
Roby, Gen. Harley B , 396
Rogers, Hon. George S 30
Silver, Henry A 395
Sinclair, Prof. John E 426
Stearns, Hon. Ezra S 90
Stone, Silas C 315
Stowell, Hon. George H. .' 347
Tinker, Hon. George F 347
Upham, Robert B 90
Viall, Hon. Herbert B 427
Wellman, Rev. Joshua W., D.D '. 459
Wentworth, Gen. Marshall C 395
Whipple, Capt. Paul 459
Whiting, George 0 395
Woodbury, Hon. Urban A -, 315
POETRY
A Buttercup Idyl, by L. Adelaide Sherman 344
A New-Born Day, by L. J. H. Frost 314
A Tattered Rose, by Charles H. Chesley 494
America, The Glorious, by Maude Gordon Roby 3
Apple Bloom, by Thomas H. Stacy - 293
Bed-Time, by Frances M. Pray 340
Books, by Delia Honey 84
Concord, by Martha A. S. Baker 408
Concord by the Merrimack, by Edna Dean Proctor 340
Despair Not, by Harry B. Metcalf 424
Ebb-Tide, by Georgiana A. Prescott 506
E. G. E., by Stewart Everett Rowe 321
Evening, by Katherine Winifred Bean 446
Fate and Fortune, by Moses Gage Shirley 401
If I Had Known, by L. Adelaide Sherman 458
In My Desert Home, by Mary Currier Rolofson 77
It Might Have Been, by L. J. H. Frost 13
Josiah Prescott Rowe, by Stewart Everett Rowe 515
Kearsarge, by Carl Burell 102
King Olaf Tryggvesson, by Fred Myron Colby 413
Let Us Keep On, by Georgie Rogers Warren 388
Looking Down the Valley, by Cyrus A. Stone 96
Love, by Moses Gage Shirley 511
Love's Jesting, by L. Adelaide Sherman .' 88
May Blossoms, by Amy J. Dolloff 315
Memories, by Charles Clarke , 118
Ode on Solitude, by H. Thompson Rich 29
viii Contents
Page
Ode on the Eternal, by H. Thompson Rich 506
Only Good, by Hannah B. Merriam 458
Paradise, by Maude Gordon Roby 314
Pussy-Willow, by Delia Honey 109
Queerly Related, by Frank Monroe Beverly 511
Sacred to the Memory, by Martha A. S. Baker 433
Sleep, by Georgie Rogers Warren 74
Sunset Hour — Great Bay, N. H., by Bertha B. P. Greene 408
Sunset on the Connecticut, by Edith M. Child 346
The Academy in Exeter, A Retrospect, by Charles Nevers Holmes 513
The "Antis," by Georgie Rogers Warren 418
The Christmas Kiss, by Mary A. Dwyre 508
The Country Schoolhouse, by Mrs. Theo Hasenjager 453
The Dirge of the War, by E. M. Patten 446
The Dreamer, by Margaret E. Kendall 79
The Dying Oak, by Charles Nevers Holmes 26
The Eternal Lovers, by H. Thompson Rich 322
The Flower of God, by David Ala wen 436
The Ghosts at Westminster, by Fred Myron Colby 307
The Hall of Memory, by L. J. H. Frost 321
The Inevitable, by Frank M. Beverly 27
The Journey, by William E. Davis 457
The Passing of Summer, by H. Thompson Rich 448
The Swimming Pool, by Charles Nevers Holmes 414
The Sylph of Summer, by Bela Chapin 392
"Thou Shalt Not Kill," by Stewart Everett Rowe 71
Thoughts at Evening, by L. H. J. Forest 505
Today, by Edward H. Richards 450
To You, by Elizabeth Thomson Ordway 418
Trifles, by Hannah B. Merriam 392
Waiting, by Frances W. Tewksbury 21
Welcome Home, by Raymond H. Huse 388
Within a Room, by Harold L. Ransom 387
THE PIERCE STATUE
The Granite Monthly
Vol. XLVII, No. 1
JANUARY, 1915
New Series, Vol. 10, No. 1
THE PIERCE STATUE
On the twenty-fifth day of Novem- ber last, forty-five years after the death of Franklin Pierce, lawyer, soldier, statesman, fourteenth Presi- dent of the United States, and the only son of New Hampshire to attain that exalted position, a statue of that distinguished servant of the people; erected in his honor by the state which gave him birth, was formally dedicated, the same having been provided for by act of the last legis- lature, and erected under the direction of the Governor and Council, who called a committee of citizens, con- sisting of Frank P. Carpenter, Clar- ence E. Carr, Edgar Aldrich, William E. Chandler and David E. Murphy into consultation and cooperation with them in planning and carrying out the work, which was designed and executed by Augustus Lukeman of New York, one of the best known American sculptors of the present day.
For a generation at least the great mass of the people of the State had marvelled that no such tribute of respect had been paid the memory of this most brilliant son of the Granite State; but it had always happened that the legislature in which a move was made to secure action in that direction, had contained some bitter partisan who, by factious opposition and dilatory tactics was able to defeat the measure, until the last legislature, after brief deliberation, and without substantial opposition, passed a joint resolution appropriating $15,000 for the purpose, and the work was carried out as above stated.
The statue is a massive bronze figure, standing on a pedestal of Concord Granite, five feet square, suitably inscribed and placed in the
rear wall of a rectangular granite exedra, thirty-five feet by twelve with a floor of yellow, vitrified brick, which fronts on a line with the iron fence of the state house yard, a section of which, to the south of the Memorial Arch, was removed for its accommo- dation. It represents President Pierce in an easy and graceful stand- ing position, in civilian's dress, but with a military cloak over his shoul- ders.
The likeness is pronounced excel- lent by those who remember the face and figure of the President. The inscriptions on the four sides of the pedestal, epitomizing the career of General Pierce, civil, military and professional, were mainly suggested by Judge Aldrich, and, although ex- tended—as such a remarkable career necessitates, are most comprehensive. They are as follows:
On the east side, or .front —
FRANKLIN PIERCE
FOURTEENTH
PRESIDENT
OF THE
UNITED STATES On the north side —
BORN AT HILLSBOROUGH, NEW HAMPSHIRE
NOVEMBER 23, 1804.
A LAWYER WHO LOVED HIS PROFESSION
AND WAS A GREAT LEADER IN IT
MEMBER NEW HAMPSHIRE LEGISLATURE
AT 25 AND SPEAKER AT 2~j
CONGRESSMAN AT 29
UNITED STATES SENATOR AT 32 AND
RESIGNED AT 37
LATER IN LIFE DECLINED THE OFFICE
OF ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED
STATES, THAT OF SECRETARY OF WAR,
THE UNITED STATES SENATORSHIP AND
THE GOVERNORSHIP OF HIS STATE.
PRESIDENT OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
DIED AT CONCORD OCTOBER 8, i860,.
The Granite Monthly
On the south side —
BRIGADIER GENERAL U. S. A.
PUKBLA
CONTRERAS
CHURUBITSCO
MOLINO DEE REY
CHAPIJLTEPEC
COMMISSIONER APPOINTED BY GENERAL
SCOTT TO ARRANGE AN ARMISTICE
WITH GENERAL SANTA ANNA
"HE WAS A GENTLEMAN AND A
MAN OF COURAGE."
ULYSSES S. GRANT
On the west side, or rear —
ERECTED BY THE
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
1914.
By the programme,' as arranged for the occasion, Hon. Clarence E. Carr of Andover acted as president of the day, Rev. George H. Reed, D. D., pastor of the North Congregational Church, of Concord, as Chaplain, and David E. Murphy of Concord as Marshal. Hon. Oliver E, Branch of Manchester was selected as Orator of the day. The programme also in- cluded an introductory address by President Carr, following the Invoca- tion; and addresses by Mr. Frank P. Carpenter presenting the Statue to the State, His Excellency Governor Felker, accepting the same, Judge Aldrich, ex-Senator Chandler, and William F. Whitcher of Woodsville, with music by Nevers' Third Regi- ment Band of Concord.
At 11 o'clock, sharp, on the day appointed, a procession was formed in front of the Eagle Hotel, under the direction of the Marshal, and, headed by the band, and the officers and speakers of the day, marched to the open space in front of the monument, where the statue was unveiled by Miss Susan H. Pierce'of Hillsborough, a grand-niece of President Pierce, who was formally presented by President Carr, who also paid a brief tribute, immediately after the unveiling, to the sculptor, Augustus Lukeman, who was detained by illness. The com- pany then proceeded to Representa- tives Hall in the State House, where, before an audience which filled the
hall and gallery, the. exercises were carried out as planned.
The addresses were all admirable in sentiment and language, eminently worthy the occasion, but altogether too extended, on the whole, for re- production in these pages. The clos- ing address by William F. Whitcher of Woodsville, who had been the most earnest and eloquent advocate of the measure providing for the statue, in former legislatures, brief, com- prehensive and eminently to the point, is the only one whose presen- tation our space permits, and is as follows :
MR. WHITCHER'S ADDRESS The memorial today dedicated is the well- considered tribute the state of New Hampshire pays to the honorable service. the lofty achieve- ments and the devoted patriotism of a dis- tinguished son. No feature of his life and character was more marked and prominent than such patriotism. Patriotism is a passion for country, and Franklin Pierce loved his country thus and gave it his best service. He came of sturdy Revolutionary stock, and love of country, and devotion to its interests were his by inheritance. This love and devotion grew with his growth and ripened into fullness with his ripening years.
I quote two characteristic utterances of his, made under circumstances which pre- clude all doubt of their thorough sincerity. On the solemn occasion of his inauguration as President of the United States he said:
With the Union my best and dearest earthly hopes are entwined. . . . It's with me an earnest and vital belief that as the Union has been the source, under Providence, of our prosperity to this time, so it is the surest pledge of a continuance of the blessings we have enjoyed, and which we are sacredly bound to transmit undiminished to our children.
Ten years later in the dark days of Civil War, when the fate of the Union yet hung in the balance, in an address made on that memorable Fourth of July, 1863, near where his statue now stands he said:
I will not believe thatv the experiment of man's capacity for self-government, which was so successfully illustrated until all the Revo- lutionary men had passed to their final reward is to prove a humiliating failure. Whatever
America, the Glorious
others may do, we will never abandon the hope that the "Union is to be restored; whatever others may do, we will cling to it as the mar- iner clings to the last plank when night and tempest close around him.
With him Country and Union were one. The Union he ardently loved and devotedly served, was the Union formed by the Consti- tution, a Constitution he regarded with rev- erence, and the terms of which he believed should be strictly construed. It was a Union of sovereign states. The Constitution gave certain broad and general powers, powers, however, clearly defined, to a Federal Govern- ment. All others, he firmly believed, were retained by the states. Thus his country's welfare depended upon a constant discrimina- tion between the separate rights and responsi- bilities of the states, and the common rights and obligations of the whole people under the general government. In a word, the country he loved and to which he gave his life devotion was "an indissoluble Union of indestructible states." From this conception of Country and Union he never swerved in word or deed during a career in which he was often mis- understood, often cruelly maligned. For his
course and conduct he was calmly content to wait the judgment of later generations.
We have come upon a time when the idea of statehood is being obscured by a cloud of fantastic experiments under the name of a centralized ''New Nationalism," but there are happily indications that the pendulum will yet swing towards a reasonable regard for a reasonable and constitutional statehood.
Franklin Pierce had thirteen predecessors in his exalted office of President. His suc- cessors also number thirteen. He stands midway in a distinguished line. He may not have been the greatest in that line; his star may not shine the most resplendent; but in purity of purpose and of character, in un- swerving loyalty to conviction, in love of Country and Union, in steadfast devotion to the right, as God gave him to see the right, we may invite comparison with those who pre- ceded him, and with those who have followed.
New Hampshire pays him honor today — belated perhaps, but all the more emphatic because belated. New Hampshire honors- his memory, not impulsively or unthinkingly, but soberly, thoughtfully, reverently. In honoring him. she honors herself.
AMERICA, THE GLORIOUS
By Maude Gordon Roby
America, the glorious, we sing, As to thy faithful, loving heart we cling; Our hopes, our visions and our dreams we bring To thee, dear fatherland.
Our swords unsheathed and mouldering with rust All useless lie; unheeded in the dust; For men are brothers here, and God our trust; Oh. blessed fatherland!
While over all this peaceful country, high, A starry bit of bunting greets the sky. — Old Glory ! may its colors ever fly
For God and fatherland !
>
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, KEENE, N. H.
REV. AARON HALL
Ptistor First Congregational Church of Keene, 1777-1814
By Rev. Rodney W. Roundy
On October 17-19, 1913, the First' Congregational Church of Keene, observed the one hundred and sev- enty-fifth anniversary of its founding. In the May preceding, a granite tablet was placed on the site of the first meeting-house, by the Ashuelot Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. The meeting-house was built 1736-1737, two years before the organization of the church. The church is now occupying the fourth meeting-house, the original part of which was dedicated in 1788.
On October 18, 1914, a tablet, a cut of which appears on the follow- ing page, was dedicated in mem- ory of the Revolutionary pastor of the church, whose death occurred one hundred years ago. Joint gift of the surviving great grandchildren of Mr. Hall and the women of the Home Circle of the church, the tab- let was executed by J. and R. Lamb of New York City and is of antique brass with etched letters except for the raised letters of the name. It is placed at the right of the pulpit as a companion to the one on the left in memory of Rev. Zedekiah Smith Barstow, D.D., pastor of the church 1818-1868.
Aaron Hall was the descendant of the Hall family of Connecticut, whose ancestry goes back to the earliest times of colonial history. The origi- nal John Hall, emigrant, was de- scended from the Halls, County of Kent, England. The first settler, John Hall, was born in 1584, spent forty years of his life in New England, dying at the age of eighty-nine. We read of him as in Boston in 1633, and in Cambridge and Roxbury afterwards. On September 4, 1633, John Hall accompanied John Old- ham to the Connecticut River. They
reported back to the Bay towns of Massachusetts, January 20, 1634, and the report of their investiga- tions on the Connecticut River led to the settlement from Dorchester; of Wethersfield and Windsor, Conn., and from Cambridge, of Hartford, Conn. John Hall removed his family to the Connecticut River in 1639, and in 1650 we find his family settled in the midst of the extensive lands owned by him in Middletown, Conn. Aaron Hall was the sixth in de- scent from John, the emigrant, and was born in Cheshire, Conn., June
27, 1751. He was graduated from Yale College in 1772. His diploma, signed by President Naphtali Dag- gett, is now in the possession of his great-granddaughter, Miss Alice Hall, a teacher of art, living in New York City. Professor Dexter in his Yale biographies, records the fact that "Aaron Hall studied Divinity with Rev. Mr. Foot for about nine months in 1772-73, and was chosen to preach by the New Haven County Association of Ministers on Sept.
28, 1773, being then a resident grad- uate of the college." The Mr. Foot referred to, is the Rev. John Foot, minister of Cheshire, and a graduate of Yale College in 1765. That Aaron Hall spent the next two years in study is evidenced by the fact that in 1775 he received the degree of A.M. from both Yale and Dartmouth.
Griffin's " History of Keene" re- cords the fact that Rev. Clement Sumner, pastor of the Keene church for the years 1761-72, a native of the same Connecticut town as Mr. Hall, recommended him to the church. Mr. Hall preached in Keene as the twentieth candidate in the five or six unsettled years of the church's life, succeeding the dismission of
6
The Granite Monthly
Mr. Sumner. He was called to the Keene pastorate at a church meet- ing .held December 2, 1777. Pre- vious to the formal call of the church there stands written in the old rec- ord book, kept in the vaults of the Keene National Bank, — the first half of which is nearly all written in the handwriting of Aaron Hall — the ac- tion of the church at a meeting-
Wood." Following the call of the church on December 8, 1777, in the town meeting, it was "Voted un- animously to give Mr. Aaron Hall, who has been preaching amongst us, a Call to settle in the Work of the Gospel Ministry in This Town." "Voted, to give Mr. Hall One Hundred Thirty - Three pounds Six Shillings and Eight Pence for a Settle-
Aaron Hall Memorial Tablet
called November 12. 1777. The
record is as follows: matter of settling conversed upon in 1. "Voted, That 13 of November be the solemnities of
"The important the Gospel was
Brotherly love."
Thursday the
appointed for
a day of fasting,
head of the making the
looking to the great church for direction in choice of pastor."
2. "Voted, To call unto our assist- ance the Revels. Mr. Farrow, Mr. Brigham, Mr. Goddard and Mr.
ment, said sum to be made Equal in Value and made good as the Same Sum four years ago when silver and gold passed current among us." He was also voted eighty pounds per annum for his salary, and this money was to be made the equiva- lent of gold and silver.
Maj. Timothy Ellis, Capt. Jere- miah Stiles, Lieut. Josiah Richard- son, Lieut. Daniel Kingsbury and Ichabod Fisher were the committee appointed to lay the proposition
Rev. Aaron Hall Memorial
before Mr. Hall, and to adjust the amount of his settlement and salary in paper money of the times. Mr. Hall accepted the united call of the church and settlement of the town in a long letter dated January 17, 1778. •
His ordination and installation was held on Wednesday the eight- eenth day of February.
terfield, Walpole, Charlestown and Dublin. The public exercises suc- ceeding the decision of the council were as follows: Rev. Mr. Hibbert of Claremont had the opening prayer; Rev. Mr. Olcott of Charlestown preached the sermon; Rev. Mr. Brig- ham of Fitzwilliam offered the or- daining prayer; Rev. Mr. Fessendon of Walpole gave the charge; Rev.
Rev. Rodney W. Roundy
Pastor First Congregational Church, Keene, N. H,
The church committee consisted of Mr. David Nims, Deacon Obadiah Blake, Mr. Simeon Clark, Mr. Ben- jamin Hall and Mr. Daniel Kings- bury. The churches of Windsor and Wallingford, Conn., were in- vited to be present by pastor and delegate, but the season of the year prevented their attendance. The other churches were those of New Ipswich, Fitzwilliam, Swanzey, Ches-
Mr. Goddard of Swanzey extended the right hand of fellowship; Rev. Mr. Sprague of Dublin "closed the solemnity with prayer." Rev. Mr. Fessendon of Walpole acted as mod- erator, and Rev. Mr. Olcott of Charlestown as scribe. The mem- bers of the council were entertained at the tavern of Lieut. Josiah Rich- ardson on Pleasant Street now West Street .
8 The Granite Monthly
Before Mr. Hall would accept largest Cheshire County town,
the call to the Keene church, the Nevertheless, in his writings about
church voted to do away with the New England, as the result of a
practice of the "Half-Way Cove- horseback tour a little more than
nant." Next to the Unitarian con- a century ago, President Dwight
troversy, there has been no eccle- of Yale College "pronounced Keene
siastical question which has more one of the pleasantest inland towns
agitated the life of our early New he had seen."
England churches than this "half- As a townsman Mr. Hall was both way practice." The matter was agriculturalist and clergyman. In happily adjusted in the Keene church the year 1782, the year of his marriage by the vote of the church and by to Sarah Baker, the record of deeds receiving into full membership a tells us that he purchased for forty dozen people who had previously pounds something over an acre of land stood in the "half-way relationship." on Pleasant, now West Street. This Mr. Hall had evidently come into purchase was made of Josiah Rich- full sympathy with Joseph Bel- ardson, tavern keeper, who owned lamy's position regarding the "half- the land roundabout, even the lot way covenant." Bellamy was a on which the original part of the native of the same town as Mr. Hall, meeting-house was built, now the but spent his life in the pastorate site of the Soldiers' Monument and at Bethlehem, Conn. I have been Common. The site of his purchase unable to establish the fact that Mr. was that of the present Thayer Li- Hall was one of the sixty students brary. According to tradition, during whom Joseph Bellamy prepared for his early days in Keene he lived in the ministry in Bethlehem, though the old Cooke house, at least be- it is quite possible he may have fore he was married, perhaps for a been one of that number in the short time afterwards. On the land interval between his graduation from of his purchase he built his home, college and his coming to Keene in His descendants record the fact that the summer of 1777. While he was the foundations were laid and the still a college student, he must roof raised at his direction, on Fri- certainly have come under the in- day. Thus he placed himself in fluence of Bellamy's position on the opposition to the superstition that "Half-way Covenant" for Bellamy's by such action his house would pamphlets against this practice were be burned down. That he was on the published in New Haven, Conn., side of Providence in such a course during 1769-70, and were circulated is decisively settled by a visit to during the years of Mr. Hall's col- 63 Castle Street where now may lege course. be seen the main part of the struc- So far as Keene was concerned, ture moved to its present location Aaron Hall was the town minister at the time of construction of the par-excellence. Resource to the cen- present Thayer Library building, sus tables informs us that, during Only the ell part was torn down at all the days of his ministry, Ches- the time of removal. The record terfield, Westmoreland and Wal- of deeds indicates three other pur- pole had more inhabitants than chases of land "in the middle part Keene. During his life there were of the town" by "Aaron Hall, Clerk." times when to this list there must These purchases were evidently for be added Alstead, Dublin, Rich- tillage and pasturage and aggre- mond and Winchester. It was not gated nearly forty acres. It is a until the census of 1830 that Keene matter of interest that Judge New- obtained the distinction which she comb introduced the first chaise has since maintained, of being the to Keene and that afterwards the
Re \ Aaron Hall Memorial 9
minister followed the example of and national welfare. Whether law
the judge. and order should prevail in this
Mr. Hall was a worthy citizen, community and surrounding com-
His election to membership in the munities was a question often at the
state convention adopting the na- front. More than once, also, it ap-
tional Constitution was evidence pears that mobs of men would pre-
of that fact. The address pub- vent the administration of justice. lished with this article reveals the In 1779 kind of citizenship that accorded with the principles of his life. His Upon the thirty-first of May,
¥ , ^ . Appeared in Keene, at break ot day,
recognized place on public occasions A mob both bold and stout »
found good example in the Fourth
of July celebration in 1804. On Bodies of men would meet each other
that day two companies of militia 0n the country road to see which
under the commands of Captains should have the custody of the cannon
Chase and Metcalf escorted a pro- that traveled back and forth from
cession to the meeting-house, where Westmoreland to Walpole, and even
Mr. Hall had his part in offering the sometimes across the Connecticut
prayer, the Declaration of Inde- River to Westminster. What would
pendence was read by Noah Cooke, be done with the Tories was an agi-
Esq., and the oration was delivered tating question when the war was
by young Phineas Cooke, the school- over. Should they have any rights of
master. He made the prayer on property they had acquired before
the solemn occasion of this town's the war was fought? Should New
mourning the death of George Wash- Hampshire adopt the national Con-
ington on February 22, 1800. stitution? What attitude should Keene
The Yale biographies, previously take toward it? Fear lest this state
referred to, state the fact that on should fail to vote for its adoption
June 2, 1803, Rev. Aaron Hall led to adjournment from Exeter
preached a sermon from Chron- to Concord, and the final vote -had
icles 19:6, at Concord, before His only the majority of ten in its
Excellency the Governor, the Hon- favor. Then there were the trying
orable Council, Senate and House questions of Keene's attitude to-
of Representatives of the State of ward the towns up and down the
New Hampshire. This sermon was Connecticut River, growing out of
published the same year and styled the controversy concerning the New
in request for publication, "A Can- Hampshire Grants. In all these
did and Patriotic Discourse." relations we may believe Mr. Hall
Mr. Hall was a good citizen, in had his continuous, quiet, manful
that he helped light the candles of influence, that ever extended in the
learning in this place. The first direction of reasonable settlement
library of Keene, called "the social of trying difficulties. It is testified
library" was kept in his house and that the whole bent of his nature
he was librarian. The Thayer li- as well as his Christian principles
brary is not the first library on the were against all tomfoolery that
present site. meant civil disorder.
Public affairs were often strained The influence of a man's citizen- during his ministry. In the earlier ship — and of Mr. Hall this is quite years the matters of sending soldiers true— extends beyond the years of to the war, and of paying them out his life. His children and his chil- of town resources, were constantly dren's children in the life of this coming up at town meetings. The town and elsewhere rise up to pro- town now and then had a meeting nounce good the power of his civic to express itself on matters of state influence.
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In 1782, Mr. Hall married Sarah, daughter of Thomas Baker, Esq., of Keene. Thomas Baker had moved to Keene from Topsfield, Mass. in 1760 and built his house on the old Boston Road — what is now Baker Street. Some of his descendants remain as members of the First Church of Keene to this day.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hall were Sally, born in 1783, who married Elijah Parker; Aaron, Jr., born 1789, who with his name joined to that of his cousin Timothy, stood for the kindly interests of the best form of merchant life, as it came to be known throughout this county and beyond, under the firm name of * A. and T. Hall. Aaron Hall, Jr., was a man distinguished in this community for the breadth of his learning and the wealth of his citi- zenship. His daughter Julia Hall "was counted a cultivated woman, distinguished as a teacher, and died in Keene at an advanced age." She lived in the home built by her grandfather, and occupied by her father after the older man's decease.
Two other children of Aaron Hall were . David, born in 1786, and Nabbv, born in 1788. These two both died in 1790. The first Mrs. Hall died "October 16, 1788, and two years later Mr. Hall married Han- nah Hitchcock of Cheshire, Conn. There were two daughters of whom she Avas the mother, Hannah, born in 1791, who married James Haslam of New Ipswich, August 16, 1814, and Nabby Ann, born 1793, and died in Keene, October 20, 1833. Mrs. Hall survived her husband by six years and died in Keene, September 6, 1820.
A grandson of Aaron Hall was Dr. Edward Hall of Auburn, N. Y. Concerning him Dr. J. Whitney Bars- tow of New York City says: "He was a physician of excellent reports and much practice in the city of Auburn. He married Harriet Robinson, a daughter of Rev. Dr. Israel Robin- son, pastor for a half century of the church in Stoddard and known in his day as one of the first Hebrew
scholars in New England." Miss Alice Hall, the last remaining one of the Hall name, is the daughter of this Auburn physician.
The last marriage performed by Rev. Aaron Hall was that of his own daughter Sally to Elijah Parker a few weeks before the minister's death. She is lovingly remembered as a faithful Sunday School teacher. Dr. J. Whitney Barstow says of her, "She was the mother of a large family of sons and one daughter. All were prominent in professional and social life." The daughter Mary Morse was the wife of Joel Parker, Chief Justice of New Hampshire, and afterward professor in Harvard University.
The daughter of Judge Joel Parker is Mrs. Gertrude Parker Sheffield, of Cambridge, Mass., who has been very actively interested in the plac- ing of this tablet in the memory of her great grandfather.
A great-grandson of Rev. Aaron Hall and grandson of Mr. Elijah Parker is Horatio Parker, the present distinguished composer and professor of music in Yale University. He was the son of Charles Edward Parker an architect in Boston, who designed St. James Church, City Hall, and several residences in the city of Keene. Horatio, another son of Elijah Parker and Sally Hall, was an eminent lawyer in Boston. The oldest son, David Hall Parker, was born in 1815. The three sur- viving daughters, Sally Elizabeth Parker, "Mrs. Mary Parker Wood and Julia Ann Hall Parker, live in Passaic, New Jersey.
AN ORATION
Delivered at the request of the Inhabitants of Keene* June 30, 1788, to Celebrate the Ratification of the Fed- eral Constitution by the State of New Hampshire, by Aaron Hall, M.A., Member of the late State Constitu- tional Convention.
The great, the important object for which the collected wisdom of America was sum- moned together, is at length accomplished.
My Fellow -Citizens and Countrymen: 1 congratulate you on the glorious event
Rev. Aaron Hall Memorial
11
which Heaven has been pleased to pro- duce in our favor — and while we would do honor to the labors of a Washington, a Franklin, a Johnson, a Livingston, a Morris, a Rutledge. a Pickney, and other political fathers of our country, who dared to step forth in the greatest dangers to defend American Liberty; let us not forget our gratitude to the King of Nations and Lord of Hosts.
Impressed with the keenest sensibility on this joyous occasion, I will hazard a few thoughts on the great subject of our Fed- eral Government. When we consider the greatness of the prize we contended for, the doubtful nature of the contest in the war, the favorable manner in which it has ter- minated, together with the establishment of a permanent energetic government, per- fectly consistent with the true liberties of the people. — and this obtained in a time of peace, a thing not paralleled in history. I repeat it. when we consider these things, we shall hi id the greatest possible reason for gratitude and rejoicing. This is a theme that will afford the greatest delight to every benevolent mind, whether the event in con- templation lie viewed as the source of pres- ent enjoyment, or the parent of future happiness.
Till this period, the revolution in America, has never appeared to me to be completed; but this is laying on the cap-stone of the great American Empire; and, in my opinion we have occasion to felicitate ourselves on the lot which Providence has assigned us, whether we view it in a natural, political, or moral point of light.
The frame of government now adopted for the United States of America, gives her citizens rank, if not superiority among the nations of the earth, and it has the advan- tage of being concerted, when the rights of mankind are better known and more clearly understood, than in any former age of the world. This constitution of government contains the treasures of knowledge, ob- tained by the labors of philosophers, sages, and legislators, through a long succession of rolling years, so that we have the col- lected wisdom of ages interwoven in this form of government.
The three branches are created and made by the original independent sovereignty
of the people, and are so balanced as to be a check upon each other; and after two, four, and six years, each branch are to re- turn into the bosom of their country, to give an account "for the deeds done in the body whether they have been good or evil." It has a most friendly aspect on literature, and opens her arms wide to extend and en- courage commerce — lays a fair foundation for the free cultivation of our lands, and to alleviate the farmer, whose hands have long been relaxed by reason of too heavy taxa- tion— is wisely calculated to promote the progressive refinement of manners — the grow- ing liberality of sentiment — and above all, the pure and benign light of revelation, and have free course and be glorified in the blessings of society. If therefore the citizens of America should not be completely free and happy, the fault will be intirely their own, so long as they may choose wise and good men to act at helm.
The present crisis, my fellow-citizens, is so important, that silence would be a crime. — Shall Britain (especially all her sons of free and liberal minds), while she envies our rising glory, approbate this system of gov- ernment? Shall France, shall Holland, and all Europe, applaud the wisdom of our con- stitution, and we inattentive be to our pri- vate, domestic, and national enjoyments; while Heaven had crowned all our blessings, by giving us a fairer opportunity for politi- cal happiness, than any other nation has ever been indulged with?
Perhaps some may think I am too san- guine in my prospects. I grant it is yet to be decided, whether this constitution will ultimately prove a blessing or a curse — not to the present generation alone, for with our fate, probably will the destiny of unborn millions be involved. I know that the wisest of Constitutions, and even that from Heaven itself, has been, and may again be perverted by venal and designing men; and on this account, I am not displeased that the Con- sitution has been objected to, and care- fully scrutinized by the jealous, yet honest intentions of many of our worthy citizens; as these things will be before Congress, as a check upon them not to invade the liber- ties of the people. But I will venture to say, with confidence too. that we shall be happy ami flourish as a Nation and Empire,
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The Granite Monthly
if the following sentiments, suggested by the great Washington; take place and prevail: —
"1st. An indissoluble union of the States, under one Federal head.
"2nd. A sacred regard to public justice.
"3rd. The adoption of a proper peace establishment (meaning a well disciplined militia).
"4th. The prevalence of the pacific and friendly dispositions among the People of the United States, which will induce them to forget their local prejudices and policies, and make those mutual concessions which are requisite to the general prosperity; and in some instances, to sacrifice their individ- ual advantages to the interest of the com- munity."
These, my Countrymen, are the great pillars on which the glorious building of our Con- stitution depends — on which our national character and prosperity must be supported — liberty, that life of man, is the basis. Who- ever therefore would attempt to overthrow this foundation, under whatever specious pretext, will merit the bitterest execration and severest punishment his injured country can inflict. However, the cup of blessing, in a political sense, is put into our hands, and happiness is ours, if we will make it so, from the overturns of Divine Providence; yet how much depends upon our conduct, I repeat it, how much depends upon our con- duct, whether we will be respectable and prosperous, or contemptible and miserable as a Nation. The best things in this im- perfect state are liable to be perverted to the worst of purposes.
This.is a very critical moment with America; the eyes of Europe, and the world, are upon us; and it is a time of political probation with every free citizen. It is certain, that the best Constitution, and the best Rulers, will avail nothing to the happiness of a people, without good, industrious and loyal sub- jects.
It is a most important day, with America; in my opinion as much so as it was in any period of the war; and of the last moment, as to our National character, for all to sub- scribe to our Federal Government; and though all cannot think alike, which is not to be expected, any more than it is that we should all look alike; yet it becomes us to unite in the common cause as a hand of
brothers, since we are all embarked together for ourselves and our posterity; and not- withstanding there are some who cannot re- joice to so high a degree, at present, on the ratification of the Federal Government, yet I presume to say, that their living under it a short time, will give them to realize the felicity that others anticipate.
Who would be willing that this should be the ill-fated moment for relaxing the powers of the Union, and exposing us to become the sport of European politics, and to be made dupes to serve their interested purposes? Our Union, alone, must give us dignity, power and credit abroad; wealth, honor, and felicity at home; and without this, it must be extremely disagreeable to reflect that so much blood and treasure have been encountered without compensation; and that so many sacrifices have been made in vain. It is a given point on all hands, I believe, that the State of New Hampshire, from its local situation, will be more bene- fited than any in the Union. Who then from a moment's reflection, could be willing that we should exclude ourselves from the Union, and sink into the ruins of liberty, abused to licentiousness?
From a serious contemplation of the above, with other weighty objects, I have been decidedly in favor of the constitu- tion, and have endeavored to reflect honor upon those who placed me in a situation to act a part in this grand affair; and who is there, my fellow-citizens, but must have sincere intentions for the happiness of that country where he is born, and where he expects to die, and leaves the fruit of his labors to his tender offspring?
While our hearts glow with joy and grati- tude, to the great parent of present and future happiness, on this signal occasion, that he has been in the counsels of the great, and made them so unanimous in sentiment (which to me, all circumstances considered, is one of the greatest events America ever experienced) .
I say while we recognize these things with grateful souls, let us close with the earnest prayer of General WashingtoJi, in his cir- cular letter; — "That God would have the States over which he presides, in his holy protection — that he would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subor-
Rev. Aaron Hall Memorial 13
dination and obedience to government— to demean ourselves with that clarity, humility,
entertain a brotherly affection and love for and pacific temper of mind, which were the
one another of their fellow-citizens of the characteristics of the divine author of our
United States at large — And finally that he blessed religion; and without a humble imita-
would most graciously be pleased to dispose tion of whose example in these things, we can
us all to do justice, to love mercy and to never hope to be a happy Nation."
IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
By L. J. H. Frost
It might have been, ah! yes; if He had willed it, Who noticeth the sparrows when they fall;
It might have been, had we not met that sorrow Which lies in wait for all.
It might have been, if shadows had not gathered While sunshine on our path was freely shed;
If hopes we cherished had but found fruition, Instead of dying, leaving words unsaid.
It might have been. Leave those sad words unspoken — Those "saddest words from tongue or pen";
Were human heart-strings never broken
Mortals would miss the patience that is born of pain.
It might have been, yet, would it have been better
If flowers had bloomed where thorns and thistles grow?
In vain we ask our hearts the question This side eternity we cannot know.
It might have been; ah! well, we will not murmur, The darkest night awaits a brighter morn;
We will not weep; but bid our hearts be patient And bear life's burdens with a smile and song.
It might have been, 'tis true; but we will trust Him Who leads us in the ways our feet have trod;
He will not chasten us forever,
And though He slay us, let us trust in God.
REV. WILLIS P. ODELL, D.D.
THE FLAG-MEMORIAL DAY SERMON"
By Rev. Willis P. Odell, D.D.*
[Delivered on Sunday, May 24, in St. Mark's Church, Brookline, Mass., before Gettysburg Post G. A. R., of Boston, and C. L. Chandler Post of Brookline.]
"Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee."— Ps. 60:4?
"Here comes The Flag! Hail it!
Who dares to drag Or trail it? Give it hurrahs, — Three for the stars, Three for the bars. Uncover your head to it ! The soldiers who tread to it Shout at the sight of it, The justice and right of it, The unsullied white of it, The blue and the red of it, And tyranny's dread of it! Here comes The Flag!"
There is spur and challenge in these martial lines. They quicken pulse- beats and stir the patriotic heart to high resolve. Most appropriately may I use them to introduce my theme. I am to speak to you this morning about the Flag— our Flag — the Flag of our country — the Stars and Stripes of the American Republic — the Flag we all so ardently love and which in our enthus- iasm we fondly call, "Old Glory."
I frankly confess to you that my purpose in selecting such a subject for this occasion is to stimulate zeal for the Flag and for all it represents. I would have you hail it, give hurrahs for it and in its presence kindle anew the fires of loyalty. As a part of our religion we give this day to the cul- tivation of patriotism.
In the closing chapter of that fascinating volume, entitled, "The Making of an American," Mr. Jacob Riis, the author, describes in vivid fashion the emotions which swept through his soul as one day, from a sickbed by the shore of the North Sea, he caught sight of the American Flag, flying at the mast-head of a passing ship. He had been ill a long time, far away from his family, in a land which in boyhood had been his home, but which he had early left to make his fortune in the new world. His sickness had worn upon him till he had become depressed and sore at heart. Suddenly, as he gazed moodily
*This address or sermon, by a distinguished clergyman and native son of New Hampshire, was to have been published in the Granite Monthly in June last; but the publication has been delayed by press of other matter. It is good for the present, or at any other time.
Willis P. Odell was born in Lake Village, in what is now ward 6 of Laccnia, on December 14, 1855. His father, Joseph L. Odell, was for years the local druggist and later became asso- ciate justice of the Laconia Police Court. At fourteen years of age the son went to Tilton as a student in the Seminary, whence he graduated in 1874. In 1880 he received the degree of A. B. from Boston University and immediately began the study of theology in preparation for the ministry. He joined the New England Methodist Episcopal Conference in 1882 and went to Cliftondale, Mass., for his first charge. Along with his pastoral work he continued post-graduate studies at the University, and in due time received from his Alma Mater the degrees of A. M. and Ph. D. Allegheny College gave him the honorary degree of D. D. in 1895. In 1883 he was assigned to Salem, Mass., and in 1886 went to Maiden, Mass. His next two appointments were in Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained eight years. In 1898 he was sent to Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church in New York City, which is the largest Methodist Church in the country. During his pastorate of six years at this important station he raised over $240,000 and received over 1,000 persons into membership. His next charge was the Germantown First Church, in Philadelphia. He came to his present work at St. Mark's, Brookline, Mass., four years ago. This church is often called the Cathedral of Boston Methodism. It is the finest of the denomination in this region. His first wife was Miss Mary F. French of Sandown. After her decease he married Miss Eva J. Beede of Meredith, who is well known to the readers of the Granite Monthly. She still continues to be his helper in every good work.
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The Granite Monthly
through the open window out upon the sea, a great vessel sailed majesti- cally by, close in shore, with the Ameri- can Flag blown out to the breeze, till every star and bar shone bright and clear. Gone on the instant, he said, were discouragement and gloom. Forgotten were weakness and suffer- ing, the cautions of doctor and nurse. He sat up in bed and shouted and laughed and cried by turns, waving his handkerchief to the Flag. The people about him thought he had lost his head. But no, he said. He had not lost his head. He had found it and his heart, too, and he knew then that he had become an American in truth. And he thanked God, and "like unto the man sick of the palsy, arose from his bed and went home healed."
The martial poem and the experi- ence of Jacob Riis go hand in hand. The Flag is an inspiration, an invig- oration, a quickener of life. For many years it has been casting a mighty spell over increasing multi- tudes. Cheers and tears and quench- less ardor have come because of it. It has set the blood coursing swiftly through the brain and heart of millions and led the way to many valiant deeds.
But why such potent influence? What secret explains its extraordinary power? The Flag! It is a bit of bunting, a flash of color, a picturesque decoration, looking well at mast-heads and above assemblies, but still simply a product of the weaver's art. In- deed, is that all? By no means. The Flag is a symbol, an emblem, an ensign. It has a history behind it. It is a recognized representative of sturdy facts. It is a pledge of things to come. Before it there is a future. Men yet unborn are to carry it as those long dead have marched be- neath it. It is an embodiment of purpose, a revelation and a prophecy.
That we may appreciate the better the Flag we today salute, let me briefly set before you some important considerations.
I. In the first place this Flag re- minds us of a glorious history. It was born in a mighty struggle for human rights. That was an epochal hour in the life of the world when the American Colonies arose against in- justice and tyranny. The Declara- tion of Independence marked the beginning of a very brave enterprise of human courage. It was a challenge to what was at that hour the greatest power on earth. The men who signed it had no adequate resources for war. They pitted themselves against a nation fully equippedin experience and arms and wealth for great military operations. But with a sublime con- fidence in the justice of their cause they dared to make the fight. The Flag was evolved to stand as the symbol of their lofty purposes. At Saratoga and Monmouth, at the Cow- pens and at Yorktown, the patriot host wrought with such soldierly effectiveness as to conquer an honor- able peace and win for their new Republic an established place among the nations of the earth.
The fiery baptism to which the Flag was subjected in 1812 brought further glory to its defenders. Perry and Hull and Biddle sailed the high seas with their colors nailed to the mast-head and by their valorous deeds compelled a recognition of American Naval power. In six months' time they and their asso- ciates took into port 300 English merchantmen with 3,000 prisoners of war. Out of the smoke of a vic- torious battle on Lake Erie the memorable report, which long thrilled the nation's heart, was sent to Wash- ington, "We have met the enemy and they are ours." It was during this period that Francis Scott Key, a prisoner for the moment on an English vessel in Chesapeake Bay, wrote the lines which were quickly caught up to become a National Anthem. In spite of all the enemy could do, Fort McHenry remained untaken, the Flag was "still there" when the fierce cannonade ceased, and the victory
The Flag — Memorial Day Sermon 17
inspired the patriot author to proph- second place extraordinary present
esv- conditions. It floats today over a
"Then conquer we must, when our cause it vast territory which Mr. Gladstone
\n]+Kfiust' ct r, j- one time, very truthfully, said, pro-
shall wave est continuous empire ever established O'er the land of the free and the home of by man." The forefathers, who came the brave. " to Massachusetts Bay. gave it as their The American soldier fully main- opinion that population was never tained his reputation in the War with likely to be very dense beyond New- Mexico. If the authorities at Wash- ton. Tne founders of Lynn, after ington did not reveal a high order of exploring the land west of them for statesmanship in precipitating the about fifteen miles, declared it their conflict, the men at the front gave a conviction that people would never good account of themselves as cham- fin^ it worth while to settle any pions of the flag. Sent on an errand further in that direction. For many of conquest, they did their work well, years there was no adequate appre- Monterey and Buena Vista saw ciation of the possibilities in the in- courage unsurpassed, and at Molino terior of the country and only the del Rey and at Churubusco the vaguest notion of what existed in American army rendered splendid the transmissouri region. But now service. General Grant, in his Me- our continental area in the forty-eight moirs, said that after nearly forty states is 2,970,000 square miles, giving years, in looking back upon the cam- us a territory eighteen times as large paigns there, it appeared to him that as Spain, thirty-one times as large as the generalship was well nigh perfect Italy, and sixty-one times as large as and that the conduct of the troops England and Wales. And when to was all that could have been desired, this is added the 600,000 square miles The Civil War put a supreme test of Alaska and the 125,000 more of upon loyalty. Those were dreadful Porto Rico, Hawaii, Guam, Panama, days which followed the attack on and the Philippines, it is apparent Sumter. Major Anderson was forced that in physical proportions we have to pull down his flag Was the become indeed a mighty nation, defeat final and the Union to be de- On this broad expanse an immense stroyed? An embattled host of heroes population has now been gathered, poured forth from every walk in life When the fathers cut loose from to defend the national standard. By England they numbered onlv three the bloody sacrifices they made at millions. Today in New York City Shiloh, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Mis- alone five million persons dwell, sionary Ridge, Cold Harbor and Beyond the wildest dreams of the Petersburg they proved their devo- most sanguine founders of the Re- tion to native land and won for public has been the growth of the themselves enduring honors. nation. Our present continental pop- Fresh in mind, as but of yesterday, ulation is one hundred millions, while are the battles of Manila Bay, San- ten millions more reside in the islands tiago and San Juan Hill. As Admiral under our sway. Spain has a popu- Schley said, there was glory enough lation of eighteen millions, Italy to go all around. thirty-two millions, France thirty- Oh, it is a glorious Flag, with a niue millions, Great Britain forty-five history behind it of which every millions, Germany sixty millions. We patriot may well be proud, a Flag have one hundred and ten millions made resplendent by the immortal Of all the western nations it thus deeds of many noble men. appears we have become numerically 11. lnis Hag represents in the far and away the largest
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Along with these conditions our wealth has outrun all anticipations. When Thomas B. Reed was Speaker of the National House of Represen- tatives the annual governmental ap- propriations for the first time reached one billion dollars. Some adverse criticism was aroused at the expendi- ture of such an enormous sum. Mr. Reed replied that this was ''a billion dollar country." He was correct. It is a billion dollar country and then some more. No nation, ancient or modern, can be put alongside our own in accumulated possessions.
When Ave come to undeveloped treasures anything like a truthful statement seems like a Munchausen yarn. During the Civil War Bishop Simpson delivered a lecture in Wash- ington, D. C, on the wonderful re- sources of the American people. It was a brilliant effort and elicited tremendous applause. Lincoln was present and listened with eager at- tention. At the close he highly complimented the speaker but ven- tured one suggestion. He said, "Bishop, you did not strike the ile." Simpson was quick to see the point. "True, Mr. President, I did omit oil but I will not do so again." The next time he delivered that lecture the value of the oil fields, just coming to attention, was eloquently pre- sented. But neither Lincoln nor Simpson had any adequate vision of a Rockefeller fortune or the amazing- future of oil production. And then who dreamed of the riches in Alaska? The territory was not purchased until 1867. Seven million two hundred thousand dollars were paid for it. Already it has brought to our people $500,000,000 in mines, fisheries and furs, and we are only approaching the beginning of its development. The value of the coal stored away beneath its hills and mountains has not till recently commenced to dawn upon our officials.
The possibilities in irrigation and the reclamation of unused lands in all the states and territories is another
matter still in its infancy. It appears that it is altogether feasible for the United States of America to support a thousand million people, who shall be rich and happy in an abundant material civilization.
And over all this Old (Horn floats as the representative of national greatness. There is but one banner today recognized in all this wide stretch of land by this vast aggrega- tion of human beings, and that is the Flag we honor here this hour.
III. In the third place this flag stands for high ideals. The Declara- tion of Independence took lofty ground. It insisted that all men had an inherent right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Its vig- orous arraignment of tyranny and its stalwart defeiice of freedom marked a splendid advance in national spirit and purpose. The Flag went forward as a pioneer in the realm of popular government. It stood from the first for the fundamental proposition that a just administration of civil affairs can rest only on the consent of the governed and that taxation without representation must be resisted to the last. Proudly through all its history has the flag championed these ideals.
The Emancipation Proclamation reached a similarly lofty plane. Its defence of the rights of man was like- wise virile. It lifted the conflict with the South out of all sordidness and gave to it an ethical form which put the North absolutely on the side of righteousness. Said Wendell Phil- lips, "Cannon think in the nineteenth century." When it became clearly recognized that the War had become a struggle for human liberty all the pent up reserves of moral purpose in the loyal states wheeled into line and the success of the Union arms was assured. Slavery must cease. That was the continent-wide resolve. The Flag, committed to the liberation of the bondman, became the holy ori- Hamme of a righteous crusade before which mercenary selfishness inevitably went down in defeat.
The Flag — Memorial Dan Sermon
19
One day the piteous cries of a long suffering people, crushed beneath the iron heel of a system devised in avarice and wrought out with cruelty, came into the ears of the American public. Good heed was given to the appeal. It was found that a policy of extermination was in operation at our very doors. In the interests of pleading humanity and with a definite publication to all the world of absolute personal disinterestedness, the Amer- ican Nation bared its right arm for justice and bade the butcher Weyler and the Government behind him move out and off the Western Hemisphere. The Spanish War came with its brief but glorious record. The Flag went to Cuba in the name of righteousness. There was no confusion in the issue. That barbarities might cease and the oppressed go free the conflict was fought to a successful termination under "Old Glory's" stainless stars.
IV. In the fourth place this Flag is pledged today to give protection to all who put themselves beneath its ample folds. It is the fixed purpose of the American people to deal justly with everybody. No notion is more firmly wrought into the policy of this Republic.
General Grant, in his last Virginia campaign, stopped one day for re- freshment at a stately mansion, whose men were with the Confederate Army. The mother of the household did not recognize her guest but was quite moved by the courtesy shown her and the earnest effort made to allay her fears of personal harm. She acknowledged that she was in mortal terror of the Northern soldiers and especially of their chief. When the party was about to leave, she said, "I wish you would remain here until the Federals have passed and particu- larly till Grant gets bj7." "I assure you that you have nothing to fear, Madam," was the reply. ''I am General Grant. I will put a guard here to protect you from all intrusion."
The incident was characteristic. The great general correctly inter-
preted the spirit of the American
government and the function of the Flag. It exists by will of a free people to give protection to the defenceless.
It should never be forgotten that the the Flag is definitely committed to the establishment of law and order. When Taylor entered Monterey in 1846, he at (face quieted the appre- hensions of the residents there by assuring them that no looting nor robbery would be permitted while he remained and that private property would be sacredly respected. When Scott reached Mexico City in 1847; he made it his first business to restore ' order. With strong hand he repress- ed all violence. When Fletcher a few days ago landed in Vera Cruz he immediately devoted himself to calm- ing the town. In a very brief time confidence was restored and business went on as usual.
It can not be too distinctly em- phasized that the American Flag- guarantees opportunity for the pur- suit of chosen callings unmolested. This is the land of the fair chance. Roosevelt's favorite phrase of the "square deal" is in exact accord with the genius of our institutions. It is the vigorously declared purpose of the people, who are the real sover- eigns here, to put an end to injustice and to see that the rights of all persons are held in an even balance, through- out all our territory. And the Star Spangled Banner is the emblem of this equitable policy. It proclaims, wherever it goes, to all who look upon it, that its mission is to defend the weak and helpless and establish peace with righteousness.
V. Now what attitude ought we as American citizens to take toward a Flag having such a history and stand- ing for such lofty ideals? Can there be any question in any mind this hour?
At the great Gettysburg Reunion last July, celebrating the fiftieth anni- versary of that memorable battle, veterans of both armies met in fra- ternal fellowship under an amazing- wealth of flags. The red. white and
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blue were everywhere. One old vet- eran in gray, with bared head, point- ing to the glorious sweep of color, said reverently, "That is my Flag, the Flag of my fathers, the Flag of my country, my children's Flag forever. God keep it in the skies. "
That is precisely the attitude every loyal citizen should 'take. Hearts should go out in love toward it and prayers should be sincerely offered in its behalf.
During the night, following the battle at Stone River, General Rosecrans came to General Thomas, who was asleep, and awakening him said, "Thomas, will you protect the rear during a retreat to Overhall's Creek?" Though only about half awake, Thomas, with solid emphasis which admitted of no misunderstand- ing, answered in sonorous voice, "Rosecrans, this army can't retreat." Then he turned over and went to sleep. And the army did not retreat but the enemy did.
It was this same sturdy Thomas, plucky fighter, ignorant of fear, to whom General Grant telegraphed, "Hold Chattanooga." And Thomas wired back, "Will hold Chattanooga till we starve." That was the spirit which makes heroes. Every one who knew Thomas appreciated the mean- ing of his reply. He would hold the town or die in the attempt. With him loyalty was a passion which mas- tered all his energies.
For love of country no sacrifice should be considered too great. Every citizen should hold himself in readiness to give his best. The Flag ought to be able to command instant and loyal support from all.
As Farragut swept up the Missis- sippi, past the Vicksburg batteries, Lieutenant Cummings had one of his legs shot away and was in a very serious plight, but he refused to be carried below for treatment. Cheer- ing on his brave tars, he cried, "Get the ship by the batteries, get the ship by, boys, and they may have the other leg." Ah, what instances of
glorious devotion to country have been witnessed through the years.
Yonder on Beacon Hil) in our State House, where are gathered the re- mains of many battle-flags, there is one nearly bare pole. It was carried at the assault on Fort Wagner at the head of a negro regiment. The color- sergeant was severely wounded but would not give up his task. As he staggered out of the fearful tempest, holding high the staff from which nearly all the flag had been shot off, he cried again and again in jubilant delight, "It did not touch the ground, boys, it did not touch the ground." Of course it did not touch the ground. There was -valiant loyalty and sturdy resolve upholding it. Nothing but death could have struck it down.
Have we such invincible courage? Why not? It is our Flag. Under it we have protection. By it we are given privilege. With it opportunity continues. So long as it is sustained by patriotic devotion that long shall a free people's best interests be con- served.
Have you been comforting your- selves with the notion that the days of strenuous obligation are passed and that no great demands for sturdy service are likely to be made in the future? Do not deceive yourselves with false ideas. The truth is we are living in troublous times. The unrest in Colorado and in Mexico are symp- tomatic. An awakening democracy is coming to a consciousness of power and is bestirring itself, not always wisely or with best ideals, but ever with increasing energy.
Benton said to Sumner, when the latter was first elected to Congress, "Young man, nothing important will happen in your day. It has all happened." What a speech and that only a few years before the Civil War ! In our own time anything may happen any hour. Are we at War with Mexico? Have we permanently qui- eted belligerent miners? Has the last move been made by rampant socialists?
Waiting
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Of this much we may be sure. There is always need of a distinct sense of patriotic obligation. No nation can long endure whose citizens are not keenly alive to personal re- sponsibility for the defence of the national honor. The Flag must be upheld. Law must be enforced. Order must be maintained.
One evening in 1861, when the com- mander of Fort Pickens had reason to believe that an attack might be expected from the rebels at any moment, he called his officers about him and said, "Gentlemen, you all hold commissions from the President and I have a right to expect that in the coming storm you will all be loyal, but before the battle begins, for our mutual encouragement, I desire to know from each one of you just what your attitude is, and so I propose that we renew our oath of allegiance to the government." That was good. And as each one pledged himself anew to the defence of the Flag there was an
increased sense of comradeship and courage.
We must not allow ourselves to be stampeded into unreasoning frenzy. War is to avoided by all possible means, consistent with righteousness and honor. But we must be prepared to uphold the Flag and all for which it stands, whatever the cost may be. I propose a renewal of allegiance. As American citizens, proud of our his- tory, conscious of our responsibility, let us pledge ourselves anew to stand by our colors.
"Here comes The Flag! Cheer it! Valley and crag Shall hear it. Fathers shall bless it, Children caress it. All shall maintain it, No one shall stain it . Cheers for the sailors That fought on the wave for it! Cheers for the soldiers That always were brave for it ! Tears for the men
That went down to grave for it! — Here comes The Flag!"
WAITING
By Francis W. Tewksbury
I am sitting in the twilight, And the wind is moaning low,
And I'm thinking of the, dear one, One who left me long ago.
Tender memories cluster round me, Thoughts of happy days gone by,
When the world was bright before me, And the love light in her eye. '
Chill the night is closing round me, And the bird has found its nest,
And the weary heart is waiting For the homeland and for rest.
Dunbarton, N. H.
On the banks of that dark river, Where the boatman plies the oar,
There my loved one will be waiting, She will meet me on the shore.
IS MARRIAGE A FAILURE?
By MarillQ M. Richer *
Under the old common law I think it came very near it, but such women as Susan B. Anthony, Matilda Joslyn Gage and Elizabeth Cady Stanton have done much to improve the con- dition of woman in the state of matrimony, and I hope that New Hampshire — -one of the thirteen original States — will soon revise and improve her laws and give to all her citizens equal rights, equal opportu- nities and equal compensation. Under such a government as that marriage would be a success. It is the old common law idea that the husband and wife are one, and that the husband is the one, that has caused so much unhappiness in the "marriage rela- tion." One of the most prolific sources of unhappiness lies in the fact that wives must ask and husbands give money. It is a humiliating con- dition that will prevent any feeling of independence or liberality on the part of the wife. How many wives are there who can ask a husband for five dollars without having him say "What do you want to do with it?" or "Where is that dollar and a half I gave 3^ou day before yesterday? " I know a woman, a friend of mine who literally never has any money. Her husband is rich, his credit excellent, but all articles are bought at stores where bills are run up to be paid off twice a year. There is a carriage for her use, an elegant house for her residence, but not one dollar passes through her hands that are kept in an idleness that she would gladly exchange for some honest toil that would give her a few dollars of her own. Ask the dressmakers and milliners how the wives of many rich men pay their
* Mrs. Rieker, who was the first aggressive woman suffrage champion in New Hampshire, and the first woman to be admitted to the bar in the State, and that after a long contest, gave this paper as a lecture, or ad- dress, in several different States, more than thirty years ago.
bills. If you should be truthfully answered you would be shocked Marriage in law is a "civil contract;" it is a partnership and all partnerships should be protected by law as other contracts are. Law should secure rights and punish injustice. But my wife is "supported," many men will say. In many instances that is a false and fallacious term. When I was in California I visited a mining camp. In the camp one man is always elected to do the cooking, usually "by lot," but the cook shares equally in all the partnership gains. Go tell that man cook that he is supported and he would probably reply with his shotgun! Yet the man cook cares for no children, does no sewing and the washing is an individ- ual affair, done every Sunday morning in the nearest stream. Every woman who labors in her own family is en- titled to a housekeeper's wages. Yet how few women are given twenty dollars per month to do as they please with. Under the common law and in many of the states today the husband can select the home and locate it where he pleases, irrespective of physical or moral surroundings — no matter how repugnant to the wife's taste or business judgment. Yet if she refuses to go with him she has "abandoned" her husband and he is no longer responsible for her support; the law gives the custody of the chil- dren to him as head of the family and she cannot control a dime of com- munity property. I often hear men and women say no man will use this power. True no good man will, but bad men do use it and this remnant of barbarism should be swept from our laws and the woman suffrage broom can do it more effectually than anything else. In many states a wife cannot give her children a cent of
Is Marriage a Failure/
23
community property, though she may have earned it all. A wife's debts, made before marriage, cannot be collected from common property, hut a husband's can. As a wife she has no more status in the civil law than the cow in the pasture. How can marriage be a success when such laws "obtain?" Under the old com- mon law, and in many of the States today, when a man asks a woman to marry him, it amounts to just this: I want you to become my partner for life — I to be senior partner and head of the firm; you, to do as I direct and live as I choose, never to go away without my knowledge and consent, while I am to have absolute freedom of action; you to devote your best energies, your talents, and your powers to such duties as I shall indi- cate, in return for which I will give you your board and lodging and occasionally a suit of clothes, but no salary whatever! What would one man say to another if such a proposition were made to him? I fancy there wrould be some emphatic language heard, to use a mild term. Yet just such partnerships women are constantly forming — giving up their whole lives to men in return for a mere support and no legal title to the joint earnings of the copartner- ship.
It may be interesting to see the status of woman as far as her claim to the public lands are concerned. Un- married women, widows, maidens and deserted wives, who are over the age of twenty-one years, are entitled to all the rights, privileges and benefits under the homestead laws that can be enjoyed by men. The mother of a living child or children whether widow, deserted wife, (or unfortunate single woman), may acquire title to land as the head of a family, though under the age of twenty-one. Widows of deceased entrymen succeed to the rights of their husbands and may make final proof and take title in their own names. The widow of a person who served ninety days or more during the
war of the rebellion in the United States army, navy, or Marine Corps and died without making an entry may make an entry the same as her husband, if living, might do, and in making final proof receive credit in lieu of residence on the land for the period of the husband's service, not to exceed four years. So you see in the eye of the law it is better to be a widow than a wife! Are these things conducive to making marriage a success?
What is woman's position today? In many states we have woman dis- franchised, with no voice in the gov- ernment under which she lives, denied until recently the right to enter col- leges or professions, laboring at half price in the world of work; a civil code that makes her in marriage a nonen- tity; her person, her children, the property of her husband. In ad- justing the institution of marriage woman has never yet in the history of the world had one word to say. The relation has been absolutely es- tablished and perpetuated without her consent. We have thus far had the man marriage. He has made all the laws concerning it to suit his own convenience and love of power. Women have quite as much interest in good government as men and I fail to see why the}' should be excluded from the ballot box. We hear that "Governments derive their just pow- ers from the consent of the governed. " A republican form of government is said to be of and by and in the interest of the people, but is it? It seems to me to be an aristocracy of sex and I think it the meanest aristocracy in the world. If taxation without repre- sentation was tyranny before the revolutionary war, and it is generally conceded to have been one of the great causes of the war, it is tyranny today. Women are taxed under the laws, are put into the prisons and are hanged under the laws, and they should have a voice in making them. In other words if women are citizens they should have all the rights and
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privileges of citizens. If they are not citizens, what are they? On my way home from a trip not long since I heard one woman say to another in the cars, "I have all the rights I want." I involuntarily turned and said to her, — "if you are a married woman have you the right to control your own earnings? Have you a right to will away any part of the community property? Have you the right to the guardianship of your children?" In many States of this Union women have not these rights. Have you ever been a teacher and expected to work beside a man, equal work and equal time, he to get eighty dollars per month and you forty dollars? If so, how did you like it?
Disfranchisement is not the only cause of the distress of working women, nor will giving them the ballot immediately set all things right, but it will be a great help in that direction. The ballot does not make men happy, respectable, rich nor noble, but they guard it for themselves with sleepless jealousy. Why? Because they know it is the golden gate to every oppor- tunity, and precisely the kind of advantage it gives to one sex it would give to the other. It would arm it with the most powerful weapon known to political society. It would main- tain the natural balance of the sexes in human affairs and secure to each fair play within its sphere.
Under the common law a husband could whip his wife, give her moderate correction, in the same moderation that a man was allowed to correct his children. If the husband killed his wife it was the same as if he had killed a stranger, or any other person, and he was hanged; but if the wife killed the husband it was considered a much more atrocious crime, — it was trea- son and she was condemned to the same punishment as if she had killed the king and her punishment was to be burned alive. Under the common law all women were denied the "bene- fit of clergy," and till the third and fourth William and Mary they re-
ceived sentence of death and were hanged for the first offence of simple larceny, however learned they were, merely because their sex precluded the possibility of their taking holy orders, though a man who could read was for the same crime subject only to burning on the hand and a few months' im- prisonment. Under the common law a son though younger than all his sisters was heir to all the real property. A woman's personal property by marriage became absolutely her hus- band's which at his death he could leave entirely away from her and the husband was absolutely the master of the profits of the wife's lands during the marriage, and a husband could be tenant by curtesy of the trust estates of his wife, though the wife could not be endowed of the trust estates of the husband.
The Revised Statutes of the United States, Chapter I, Section I, says:— "Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. In determining the mean- ing of the revised statutes or of any act or resolution of Congress passed subse- quent to February 25th, 1871, words mporting the singular number may extend and be applied to several per- sons or things; words importing the plural number may include the singu- lar; words importing the masculine gender may be applied to females; the words insane person and lunatic shall include every idiot, non compos, lunatic and insane person; the word 'person' may extend and be applied to partnerships and corporations and the reference to any officer shall in- clude any person authorized by law to perform the duties of such office unless the context shows that such words were intended to be used in a more limited sense; and a requirement of an oath shall be deemed complied with by making affirmation in judicial form."
The Revised Statutes are liberal, and it seems to me that we can truth- fully say there is no gender in brain,
7s Marriage a Failure? 25
and it is high time to do away with band and wife were one person — that
the silly notion that there is. Every is, the very legal existence or being of
student of English law knows that the woman was suspended" during the
statutes imposing penalties are to_ be marriage, or at least was incorporated
strictly construed, so as to exclude and consolidated into that of the
every body and thing not within their husband. How could marriage be a
letter. Statutes creating privileges, success?
conferring benefits, are to be liberally But if marriage was a failure under
construed, so as to include every the common law it was worse than
person within the reach of their spirit, that under the canon law. According
I think we have reached a period to church teaching woman was an
when women are to have the benefit afterthought in the creation, the
of both these rules to correlate each author of sin and in collusion with
other. Satan and in no form of popular reli-
As a more striking and frequent gion has woman ever been indebted occurrence of the masculine form I for one pulsation of liberty. I was at refer to the criminal code of the Salem, Mass., not long ago and in United States, and some of the many looking over the old documents con- curious uses of the words "he, him, cerning witches one peculiar thing was and his." The very first section noticeable: that is, its victims were limits the punishment of treason ex- chiefly women; few wizards were ever clusively to males unless he can be heard of. Speaking of witchcraft, construed to mean she (Sec. 552, Rev. Lecky says the Reformation was the Stat. Page 1041), and a woman who signal for a fresh outbreak of the commits perjury cannot be punished superstition in England; and there as unless "he" means "she," for the stat- elsewhere, its decline was represented ute declares that "he "shall be pun- by the clergy as a phase of infidel- ished and says nothing about her. ity. In Scotland where the ministers Still I've heard a woman sentenced to exercised greater influence than in five years at hard labor for perjury. any other country, and where the
It is a matter of history that witch trials fell almost entirely into women have filled and still do fill the their hands, the persecution was pro- various classes of post offices in the portionally atrocious. Probably the republic, but how can they unless ablest defender of the belief was "he" means "she?" No woman was Glanoil, a clergyman of the English ever known to escape a criminal Church; and one of the most influen- statute because its language ignored tial was Baxter, the greatest of the her sex. Shall there be more than Puritans. It spread with Puritanism one rule for the construction of all into the new world and the executions our statutes on this important point? in Massachusetts form one of the Shall the word "he" include woman darkest pages in American history. in one set of laws and exclude her in The greatest religious leader of the another, or shall they all be expounded last century, John Wesley, was among by one rule? I am aware that when the latest of its supporters. He said a penalty is imposed masculine pro- that giving up witchcraft was giving nouns mean women also. When a up the Bible.
benefit is offered or a privilege be- Scepticism on the subject of witches
stowed man alone in most instances first arose among those who were
is meant by them. In other words least governed by the church, ad-
"she" is included for penalties and vanced with the decline of the influence
disabilities, excluded from favors and of the clergy, and was commonly
privileges. I contend for the one branded by them as a phase of in-
rule for all without fear or favor, fidelity. Lecky in his "History of
But under the common law the hus- Rationalism" and his "European
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Morals" gives facts sufficient to con- vince any woman of common sense that the greatest obstacle in the way of the freedom and elevation of her sex has been and is the teaching of the church in regard to her rights and duties. Women have ever been the chief victims in the persecutions of the church, amid all its dreadful tragedies, and on them have fallen the heaviest penalties of the canon law.
In reading the History of Boston from its settlement in 1630 to the year 1770 I find that the historian, Samuel G. Drake, said, that to deny the exist- ence of witchcraft was to deny the in- spiration of the Bible, and few could be found who had the hardihood to do it. Such were infidels in the most objectionable sense of the word and were in danger of personal violence. ' ' Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live, " is good Bible doctrine. Laws were made in those days in accordance with the teachings of the Bible, and I've known instances since my admis- sion to the Bar where a good honest reliable man's testimony was objected to simply because he did not believe the Bible. The clergy everywhere sustained witchcraft as Bible doctrine until the spirit of Rationalism laughed the whole thing to scorn and science gave mankind a more cheerful view of life.
The worst features of the canon law reveal themselves today in woman's condition as clearly as they did 1,500 years ago. The clergy in their pulpits teach the same doctrines in regard to her from the same texts and echo the
same old platitudes and false ideas promulgated for centuries by eccle- siastical councils. The grand ideas of Confucius, Buddha, and Moham- med have been slowly transforming the world from the reign of brute force to moral power, and science has been as slowly emancipating mankind from their fears of the Unknown; but the church has steadily used its in- fluence against progress, science, the education of the masses and freedom for woman. Some women are allowed to preach but what evangelical churches ordain them? Women work elaborate altar covers but in many churches are not allowed to enter the enclosures. To those not conversant with the history of the Christian Church and the growth of the canon law it may seem a startling assertion, but it is true that the church has done more to degrade woman than all other adverse influ- ences put together. Young men educated by sewing societies of women often preach from 1st Cor. 14 chap., 34 and 35 verses. "Let your women keep silence in the churches, for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law." No priest or parson has ever been instru- mental in making a law favorable to woman, but Susan B. Anthony has, so women one and all, think for your- selves and when Mona Caird or any other person raises the question — "Is Marriage a Failure?" you can truthfully answer — under the common law it came dangerously near it.
THE DYING OAK
By Charles Nevers Holmes
Dethroned at last by time's delayed decay, Yet rooted firmly to his mossy seat,
Like aged monarch, broken, bowed and gray, .Or patriarch who soon shall pass away,
Or mighty heart which waits its final beat,
Yon old oak lies supinely where it stood,
The king of all the wide surrounding wood, Defying winter's blight, wind, snow and sleet,
The InevitabU 27
A sylvan giant upon massive feet, With arms so stalwart that he deemed it pl;r
To battle gales however fierce and fleet, And only feared the lightning's vivid ray;
Alone he dies! — His life untold, complete,
Still regnant on his throne, without defeat.
THE INEVITABLE
By Frank M. Beverly
The fleeting years had passed us by —
We were no longer young — They'd left their impress on our hearts,
Across our path had flung Some shadows dark of discontent.
The burdens that we bore Were heavy, taxing utmost strength—
We scarce could carry more.
The blazing fagots from the hearth
Gave out uncertain light, And near we sat within the warmth,
For chilly was the night ; I thought of all the years had wrought,
Recalled the days long past; I saw our shadows on the wall
As ghostly figures cast.
No words were spoken as we sat
Beside the fire alone; I held my thoughts unto myself,
And so she held her own, And though I wished that she would speak
Her inmost thoughts to tell, Yet Silence sat between us two —
No words to break the spell.
She cast her eyes full into mine,
As once she did when young; I knew her thoughts were just my own —
To them she gave no tongue — She turned and looked as into space,
For I was growing old; I knew the trend of all her thoughts
As though I had been told.
Though Youth departs, we fade in age;
Life's burdens sore we bear; We hope that some good day we'll lay
Aside our every care, And that beyond in fairer clime,
Where hearts ne'er beat in pain, It will be ours to reunite
Perpetual youth to gain.
CONSOLATION
By George Wilson Jennings
The greatest trial in life that hu- manity has to contend with is the loss we suffer through the death of friends, those that are near and dear to us. In such an emergency we turn for help to the Great Architect of the Universe. That "He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble," every one who in the ordeal of affliction has invoked Divine assistance can readily testify.
Second only to this source of con- solation is that which emanates from true and loyal friendship, each friend to whom we confide our griefs express- ing sympathy and often revealing to us the path by which we reach a heal- ing spring of comfort.
"Sympathy is the sweetest of jewels,
The rarest of all its kind, The gem most nearly royal, Yet the hardest of all to find."
The above thoughts were recently borne home to the writer upon learning of the sudden death of a life- long friend, who experienced great comfort in the knowledge that throughout her entire life she had been a source of helpfulness to others when they had been sorely tried through affliction. Of her it could be said: "Her trust being in God her faith was well founded." What conso- lation it is to those who are left, to
look over the life of a dear departed friend whose days had been filled with good deeds, and who had done all that was possible to afford material and spiritual help to others. Such lives are never forgotten. It was Beecher who once said: "The greatest afflictions have their sweetness when shared."
This assurance we have, that just a little later on we will have the experience of that blessed reunion to which we all look forward as our greatest consolation in this life, and the life hereafter.
"Then what raptured greetings,
On Heaven's happy shore, Renewing servered friendships, Where partings are no more."
But we never shall remove life's pressure. We are bearers of burdens like the ships that traverse the sea, and to be heavily freighted is always better than to sail in ballast, for the weight of our burden is the assurance of its great value.
So in life we must meet the grey days hopefully, not mournfully, and rejoice that we have the consolation and assurance that it will always be morning when we reach, "That bourne from whence no traveller returns."
Brooklyn, N. Y.
ODE ON SOLITUDE
By H. Thompson Rich
Troubled and ill at ease all day, At length I rose and fled away
To the cool upper quiet Of a hoar hill that lifted high its head Above the plain as though wide heaven 't would wed.
There underneath the riot Of an autumnal oak I sat And thought of this and thought of that.
Ode on Solitude 29
So glad I was to breath the air Of solitude, Idid not care
On what my thoughts were bent : I thought how gorgeous seemed fair nature's gown, How wondrous, as she walked the fall adown!
How ultimately blent The thousand gala colors were She wore entwined in her brown hair!
It was a gladsome sight to see Her in her royal robery;
The very sky was glad That Nature had put on her such array, And smiled the autumn afternoon away!
Long could one not be sad, Nor long have any thought of care In company so debonair!
Yet thought I how near o'er the bay Seemed the blue ocean of the day,
How near — how far away! And thinking thus I looked into the sky, Into its emptiness and mystery, —
Grim caravanserai Of sleeping camps of stars that link The universe . . . and dared not think!
Then, while I sat there sad, distraught, Earth's evening miracle was wrought
And the red sun went down, Leaving the scroll-red clouds to register The sudden dazzling images that were
Reflected all around, Like echoes of a martial air Cut short — loud-ringing everywhere!
And twilight, soft with dim delight — The very mother of the night ! —
Wrapped everything in hush: The trees, the houses, aye, the very hills Wore a great peace that calms withal it thrills;
A tiny meadow-thrush, Like a swift shadow, strong and straight Winged through the silence to its mate!
Night, with its wonderment, was here; The deepening shades of day drew near,
To dance and disappear: Star after star, slowly, majestically, The fleets of heaven sailed across the sky —
And never moved! A fear Of the Eternal leapt in sway. . . . Troubled, I rose and fled away!
NEW HAMPSHIRE NECROLOGY
HON. HERBERT 0. HADLEY
Hon. Herbert O. Hadley, one of the best known and highly esteemed citizens of New Hampshire, died at his home in Peterboro, December, 1913.
He was a native of Peterboro. born Novem- ber 20, 1855, but removed with his parents to Temple, in infancy, where he was reared and educated, and spent his life until his return to his native town in 1909.
He was a farmer by occupation, but did a large business as an auctioneer in the later years of his life. He was prominent in the Grange, and had holden most of the offices in
Hon. Herbert O. Hadley
the subordinate, Pomona, and State Granges, having been for six years master of the latter. He had long been a member of the State Board of Agriculture, and was the last presi- dent of that organization. He represented the town of Temple in the legislature of 1895, and was a State Senator in 1907. In 1908 he was elected a member of the board of Commissioners for the County of Hills- borough, and was reelected at each subse- quent election, serving as chairman of the board until his death. He was a Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Congregationalist, and a Democrat, and had often been urged to be- come the candidate of his party for Governor. He married, January 12, 1879, Miss Nettie C. Benton, by whom he is survived, with one daughter, Florence E.
FOREST E. BARKER
Forest E. Barker, born in Exeter Septem- ber 29, 1853, died at Washington, D. C, No- vember 21, 1914.
Mr. Barker was the son of Josiah G. and Betsy (Kent) Barker. He graduated from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in 1874; studied law at the Boston University Law School, and settled in practice in Wor- cester, Mass., where he continued to reside. He served several years as a member of the Worcester school board; was a representa- tive in the General Court of Massachusetts in 1883-4, and became a member of the State Board of Gas and Electric Light Commission- ers in 1885, and its Chairman in 1S94, continuing till his death, which occurred sud- denly, while he was on a visit to the National Capital.
Mr. Barker was a Republican, a Metho- dist, and a prominent Mason. He married, August 11, 1881, Flora I. Hovey of Exeter, who survives him.
HON. GEORGE S. ROGERS George S. Rogers, a prominent citizen of Lebanon, died at the Adams House in Boston, December 1, 1914.
He was a native of Plymouth, seventy-one years of age, but spent his early life in Thet- i'ord, Yt., removing to Lebanon in 1889, where he acquired extensive real estate in- terests, and recently erected a fine modern hotel. He was a Congregationalist, a Repub- lican and a member of the State Senate in the legislature of 1911. He is survived by a widow, who was Miss Angie Davis, and a In-other, Alfred Rogers of Thetford, Yt.
OR A M. HUNTOON
Ora M. Huntoon, a prominent citizen of Contoocook, died in that village Sunday, November 1, 1914, at the age of seventy- five years.
He was born at East Unity, May 1, 1893, the third son of the Hon. Harvey and Maria- (Morse) Huntoon, his father having been one of the leading farmers and most active Democrats of Sullivan County. He was edu- cated in the public and select schools, and studied law for a time, but finally suc- ceeded his father on the old homestead at East Unity, where he was engaged in agri- culture for many years, serving also as super- intending school committee, selectman, and representative in the legislature in 1868 and 1869. Some twenty years ago he removed to Contoocook, where he resided till his death, having been for several years a travelling salesman for Norris & Co., of Concord. He was a Democrat in politics, liberal in relig- ion, and a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Nt w Hampshire Necrology
31
COL. DAXA W. KING Dana W. King, horn in Alstead June 29> 1832, died in Nashua November 19, 1914.
Colonel King was a son of William and Anna (Ritchie) King, and educated in the schools of his native town. He was employed for a time in Boston and Detroit, but finally located in Nashua where was his home through life. He served in the First New Hampshire Regiment in the Civil War, and was com- missioned second lieutenant in Company A, in the Eighth. He participated in the cap- ture of New Orleans, and in Banks' Red River expedition, and was captured by the Con- federates at Sabin's Cross Roads, suffering great hardship during his imprisonment. Being exchanged he served till the close of the war, returning as lieutenant-colonel of his regiment.
He was elected register of deeds for the County of Hillsborough in 1868, and held the position for thirty-eight years. He was prominent in Masonic and G. A. R. circles, and was for many years treasurer of the New Hampshire Veterans Association. He leaves one son, William D. King of Nashua, and one daughter, Mrs. Winifred H. Judkins.
DUDLEY L. FURBER Dudley L. Furber, born in Northwood August 18, 1848, died in Dover December 1, 1914.
Mr. Furber was long engaged in business as a shoe manufacturer in Farmington, North- wood and Dover. In the latter city he was connected with the Merchants 'National Bank as director and president. He was a trustee of the savings bank, also, and a direc- tor of the Boston & Maine railroad. While in Farmington he served as a member of the legislature. He was a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Bellamy Club of Dover. He is survived by a widow, a brother, William M. Furber of Manchester, and a sister, Mrs. F. M. Knowles of Concord.
GEORGE M. ROBERTS George Morrison Roberts, a native of the town of Haverhill, born in 1838, died at his home in Maiden, Mass., October 27, 1914.
He had been for many years, till about six years ago, the New England passenger agent, in Boston, of the Pennsylvania Rail- road and in that capacity was long favorably known to the business world. He was a lieutenant in the 60th Mass. Volunteers in the Civil War, was a member of the Loyal Legion and G. A. R. He leaves a son and daughter.
DR. BUKK G. CARLETON Bukk G. Carleton, M. D., a noted surgeon and medical author, died October 21, at his residence at 75 West Fiftieth Street, New- York City.
Doctor Caileton was a native of the town of Whitefield, born November 11, 1856, and graduated from the New York Homeopathic Medical College in 1876. He was for a time connected with the medical department of New York University, and a member of the house staffs of the Homeopathic ami Metropolitan hospitals and of the staff of the Department of Charities. He was for several years demonstrator and professor of anatomy at the Homeopathic Medical Col- lege and was consulting surgeon of the Hahne- mann Hospital.
He is survived by his second wife, who was Miss Clarice E. Griffith of New York, and three sons and a daughter. He was a mem- ber of man}' medical and other societies, among them the Union League Club, the Interstate Medical Society and the Academy of Pathological Science.
BURRILL PORTER, JR.
B'irrill Porter, Jr., a leading citizen of North Atteboro, Mass., and a native of Charlestown, N. H., who spent his early life in Langdon, died October 23, 1914.
He was the son of Burrill and Susan (Gar- field) Porter, born February 22, 1832, and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1856, among his classmates being the late Gov. B. F. Prescott, Rev. Dr. Franklin D. Aver, Judge Caleb Blodgett, and Lieut. -Gov. William H. Haile.
After graduation he spent man}' years in teaching. He had been principal of Canaan and Cold River Union Academies, Mt. Caesar Seminary at Swanzey and of high schools in Ohio and Massachusetts, the last being that at North Attleboro of which he wa" principal for a dozen years, resigning in 1879, after which he was prominent in public affairs, serving as assessor, collector, selectman, four years as postmaster and seven years as a representative in the legislature. He was an active Republican and for many years chair- man of the town committee of that party. He was an alternate delegate in the conven- tion that nominated William McKinley for President. He was for some time editor of the North Attleboro Chronicle, and had been Noble Grand of Aurora Lodge, I. O. O. F., of that place. He was a Universalist in religion, and active in the affairs of the Uni- versalist Church at North Attleboro.
He married Harriet, daughter of Asa H. Carpenter of Alstead, N. H., who died a few years after marriage. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. G. Fred Ball of North Attle- boro, and a son, Asa Porter of Philadelphia, children by a second marriage.
As a successful teacher, Mr. Porter took high rank, and was held in great esteem by those who had been his pupils, among the most notable of whom was the late Col. Car- roll D. Wright.
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER'S NOTES
The next issue of the Granite Monthly will be a legislative double number for Feb- ruary and March, issued early in the latter month.
Bound copies of the Granite Monthly, Vol. 46— New Series, Vol. 9, will be ready for delivery in about ten days. They will be exchanged for the unbound numbers for 1914, for fifty cents.
The corrected list of Rev olutionary soldiers, buried in the several cemeteries in the town of Claremont, promised for this issue, is un- avoidably omitted but will appear in the next number.
Major John Proctor Thompson, U. S. A. (retired), whose death in San Francisco, Cali- fornia, October 13, 1914, was noticed in our December "Necrology," was, through his mother, a great-great-grandson of Captain Jonathan Prescott of Hampton, N. H., who commanded a company in Sir William Pep- perill's regiment at Louisberg, Cape Breton, in 1745, and lost his life there.
A delightful little volume of New England character stories in dialect, by Eva Beede Odell, well known to the readers of the Gran- ite Monthly, takes its name from the title of the first story — "Miss Prissy 's Diamond Rings." "Eleanor Raymond's Story," and "House Cleanin' in Sappin' Time," are the others — all finely done, in the author's best style, and affording a pleasant evening's read- ing for any New England home. The book may be had by remitting fifty cents to the author at Brookline, Mass.
The opening of the present year brings the customary biennial change in the State gov- ernment, so far as the executive and legisla- tive departments are concerned. This change also, as a result of the November election, involves a change in party control. The House of Representatives, with its large Re- publican majority, organized on Wednesday, January 6, by the choice of Edwin C. Bean of Belmont as Speaker, all other Republican aspirants having withdrawn long before the time of organization. Harrie M. Young of Manchester, and Bernard W. Cary of New-
port were reelected Clerk and Assistant Clerk of the House, respectively.
The Senate organized by the choice of George I. Haselton of District No. Sixteen, Manchester, President; Earl Gordon of Ca- naan, Clerk, and Thomas P. Cheney, 2d, of Ashland, Assistant Clerk. On Thursday, as usual, the Governor-elect, Rolland H. Spauld- ing of Rochester, was formally inaugurated, succeeding Samuel D. Felker of the same city, in the executive chair. In order that the "decks" might be fully cleared for action, and all obstacles in the way of prompt atten- tion to business gotten out of the way during the first week, the customary "Governor's ball" was worked off Thursday evening. Governor Spaulding's inaugural address was a model for brevity and comprehensiveness, and gave evidence of a desire on his part to promote strict attention to legitimate busi- ness, and no subordination of the public wel- fare to partisan ends. The Speaker of the House having promptly announced the com- mittees, and there being no Senatorial elec- tion to interfere with legislative work, the "short session," so generally talked about, ought to materialize, and is likely to unless a radical, reactionary policy is adopted, in which case there is no telling when the end will come.
The "Great Reaper," in His "harvest of souls," gathered in during the year just ended a goodly number from the ranks of our New Hampshire men of note, including ex-Governors Chester B. Jordan of Lancaster, and John B. Smith of Hillsborough, and Rt. Rev. W. W. Niles, Protestant Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire. Among others dying during the year were Judge Robert M. Wallace, of Milford; Col. Richard M. Scam- mon, of Stratham, Bank Commissioner; John T. Abbott of Keene, ex-Minister to Co- lombia; Gen. Charles S. Collins of Nashua; Hon. Herbert O. Hadley, of Peterboro; Hon. Charles A. Dole, of Lebanon; Capt. R. W. Musgrove of Bristol; Denis F. O'Connor of Manchester; Dr. John W. Staples of Frank- lin; Warren G. Brown of Whitefield and Josiah M. Fletcher of Nashua. Among dis- tinguished natives of the State, abroad, who passed away in 1914, were ex-Lieut. -Gov. Edwin O. Stanard of Missouri, native of Newport; Prof. Franklin W. Hooper of New York, born in Walpole; and Martha Dana Shepard of Boston, born in New Hampton.
HIS EXCELLENCY ROLLAND H. SPAULDING Governor of New Hampshire
The Granite Monthly
Vol. XLVII, Nos. 2-3 FEBRUARY-MARCH, 1915 New Series, Vol. 10, Nos. 2-3
THE LEGISLATURE OF 1915
By James W. Tucker
The largest legislative body in the Senate four, only, are Democrats and world excepting the British Parlia- one a Progressive, leaving nineteen ment and the Congress of the United Republicans, or nearly a four to one States (which latter has recently come majority; while of 408 Representa- into second position) namely, the New tives elected to the House — the largest Hampshire General Court, has been number ever before chosen — 250 were in session at Concord for eleven weeks, classed as Republicans, 153 Demo- and the indications are, at the time crats, and five Progressives, giving a of this writing (January 22), that not clear Republican majority of ninety- less than three weeks, and possibly two over all, which, while smaller more, will be required to conclude the than had been the case before for a work of the session, making it one of quarter of a century, except in the the longest sessions holden. since the legislature of two years ago, when the biennial system was adopted, instead Democrats and Progressives combined of the shortest, which latter had been outnumbered the Republicans and confidently predicted in some quar- were able to control the action of the ters, and ardently hoped for in all, House so far as they could agree upon though there was, it must be con- terms of union, was naturally re- fessed, no reasonable ground for such garded as sufficient to warrant the hope. conclusion that the Republicans
The election in November last, in would be able to carry out any plan this, as in some other states, had re- of action which they might agree suited in a return of the Republican upon; and it was quite generally party to power, and there was a nat- expected, as a matter of course, that ural desire and purpose on the part of the work of the session would be the leaders of that party, or some of largely devoted to the overturn of them at least, to regain complete con- such legislation of a partisan nature, trol and possession of all branches of as had been enacted by the preceding the government and every depart- legislature; though up to the present ment thereof, notwithstanding the time not so much has been accom- famous Manchester, after-election plished in that direction as had gen- speech of Governor-elect Rolland H. erally been anticipated. Spaulding, who, as a representative The present Senate, on the whole, of the progressive element of his party, ranks higher in point of average abil- quietly supported by many afore- ity, than has usually been the case, time Democrats, had been chosen to This comes from the presence in its the executive chair by a plurality un- membership of several men of high precedented in recent years, and who rank in point of ability and expe- strongly deprecated any action by his rience in public affairs. Aside from party based on the idea of mere party President Haselton, who is a lawyer, advantage, alone or primarily. and has had the advantage of legisla-
Of the twenty-four members of the tive experience in the popular branch,
34
The Granite Monthly
Senators Martin of Concord and Smith of Peterboro, are men of ex- ceptional ability and large public experience, the former being an ex- mayor of Concord, and ex-solicitor of Merrimack County, and one of the most successful trial lawyers in the state; while the latter combines with large legislative experience a strong legal mind and a power of logical statement seldom surpassed. Sena-
wide experience in public life adds a readiness in debate which has seldom been equalled in recent days. It is, therefore, not to be wondered that the Senate has ideas of its own, and has, at times, no hesitation in nega- tiving the action of the House, as evidenced by its prompt slaughter of the bill passed by the House abolish- ing capital punishment, as well as its similar disposition of that doing away
New Hampshire State House
tor Lucier of Nashua is also a lawyer of ability, and has had experience in both branches of the legislature; while Senators Cain and Kinney are young men of legal training and public and professional experience. Senator Crossman, a physician of wide repu- tation, and a student of social prob- lems, late United States Collector of Internal Revenue, and former mem- ber of the House, adds largely to the strength of the body; while Senator Musgrove, the lone Progressive, to
with the Fast Day farce, as it is generally regarded.
In the House, while there is a larger proportion of new members than usual, and fewer men of com- manding ability than is often the case, there are, nevertheless, quite a num- ber of members of large legislative experience and knowledge of parlia- mentary procedure; as well as not a few men fresh from the people, who have manifested much aptitude for legislation and no little readiness in
The New Hampshire Legislature of 1915
35
debate. French of Moultonboro is the "dean" of the House in point of extended service, and Ahern of Con- cord is a close second — the one long known as the "watch dog of the treasury" and the other as the Demo- cratic leader and parliamentary chief- tain, upon whom both sides rely for the settlement of all knotty questions
House has been divided between Messrs. Couch and Lyford of Con- cord, the former serving his third successive term in the House and also as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and the latter returning after several years' absence to the place he once held as a leading spirit among those who direct Republican
HON. JAMES E. FRENCH The Watchdog of the Treasury
in which no partisanship is involved. This year, however, the active leader- ship on the side of the minority has passed into the hands of Major Bren- nan of Peterboro, who enjoys the distinction of having been twice suc- cessively elected from one of the strongest Republican towns in the state, who has developed legislative ability of a high order, and is, withal, a forceful debater.
The Republican leadership in the
measures and movements. Both are ready and frequent speakers, though in oratorical force Levin J. Chase of Ward 3, of the same city, is generally regarded as leading all others, regard- less of party. He it was who so ably championed the bill for the abolition of capital punishment in the House. Clement of Warren, Democrat, and Hoyt of Sandwich, Republican, are among former members who have been more or less prominent in the
36 The Granite Monthly
present session in committee work and as the day of caucus control has
and on the floor, as, also, is Preston passed (whether fortunately or unfor-
of New Hampton. tunately) and individual members, to
Among the new members, Duncan a considerable extent at least, insist
of Jaffrey, Democrat; Tobey of Tern- upon acting in accordance with their
pie, Progressive; and Wood of Ports- own judgment, it is manifest that
mouth and Miller of Keene, Repub- short sessions of the old-fashioned
licans, have been among the most order are no longer to be looked for.
active and conspicuous. The latter, Moreover, it has come to that, that
who is a Methodist clergyman, made there are now, practically, only about
the most effective speech against the two and a half legislative working
woman suffrage bill, introduced by days in a week, and there is no more
Mr. Wood, who opened the debate in probability of changing this order of
its support. It was Mr. Miller, also, things than there is of a substantial
who made the strongest argument for reduction of the membership of the
the repeal of the local option law, House, or a return to former methods
anomalous as his position may have in the nomination of party candidates
seemed considering his stand on the for office. "The old order changes"
suffrage question. It was another — in some respects, though not in all.
new member also — Dr. Dillingham of Whether for the better or not, it is not
Roxbury — who made the most strik- the present purpose to attempt to
ing speech of the session during the discover or determine,
suffrage debate, in opposition to the Portraits and brief biographical
measure, in which he shocked the sketches of some of the men respon-
sensibilities of men and women of all sible for the legislation enacted or
views, alike, by his sweeping and defeated by the present General
wholesale abuse of womankind in Court, are presented in the following
general and suffragists in particular, pages.
Fortunately, there is little danger
that he will ever return to the House,
as his town elects only once in ten GOVERNOR SPAULDING
years. While the Governor is the head of
While the legislature was organized the executive department, he is also a with unusual promptitude, this year, prominent factor in legislation, as no the election of Hon. Edwin C. Bean bill can become a law except with his of Belmont to the speakership of the approval or over his veto. House having been practically set-' Rolland H. Spaulding came to the tied upon long before the time of governorship with certain well-form- meeting, and while he has been a ulated notions as to what the state ready and efficient presiding officer, of New Hampshire needed and with a and has also exerted his influence in disposition to see that those needs behalf of a short session, as has Gov- were met. He is essentially a busi- ernor Spaulding himself, whose inau- ness man and believes that business guration was carried out with sim- principles should be applied to the plicity and expedition, the work of the administration of state affairs. These session, as has been noted, has not first few months of his administration been pushed as rapidly as had been have been devoted to putting his hoped in some quarters and expected theories into practice and with the in others. The delay has been largely success those who knew his capabili- the result of counter purposes among ties best, expected of him. the majority leaders, some being pri- Governor Spaulding was born in marily intent upon pushing partisan Townsend Harbor, Mass., March 15, measures, while others have regarded 1873, the youngest son of Jonas such course as unwise and impolitic; Spaulding, a lumber operator and
The New Hampshire Legislature of 1915
37
manufacturer of fibre board. After graduation at Phillips Andover Acad- emy in 1893, he entered into business with his father and two brothers. Eighteen years ago they began the manufacture of fibre board at Milton, this state, and a few years later erected large plants at Rochester and North Rochester, still later adding another large plant of the same sort at Tonawanda, N. Y., all being con- ducted under the firm name of the J. Spaulding & Sons Company. The Governor has lived in North Rochester since the plant was built there.
In a general way he has been since his majority a student of political affairs, as any successful business man and public-spirited citizen must be, but his first real taste of " practical" politics was at the legislative session of 1907, the year when the Spauld- ing-Jones bill, providing a charter for a dam at Reed's Ferry intended to develop water power for electrical pur- poses, passed the House, but was killed in the Senate.
His experiences at that time made him sympathetic with the propaganda of the Progressive element of the Republican party and he entered heartily into their reform movement, working with them until the split in 1912. Then believing more good could be accomplished within the old party ranks, with customary in- dependence he elected to remain and became a leavening force, so dominant that all factions turned naturally and resistlessly toward him to lead back to power the regenerated party.
His campaigns, both in the primary and election, were characteristic of his frank nature. Persuaded to be- come a candidate, he made his an- nouncement, then awaited with un- ruffled equanimity the expression of his party in the primary. Nominated by a decisive majority, he buckled on his armor and went forth to meet the people and tell them what he stood for and proposed to do, if elected. His message appealed to 46,413 voters, 12,739 more than Albert W.
Noone, Democrat, was able to con- vince, and giving Mr. Spaulding a majority of 8,718 over all opposition.
Usually, the two months between election and inauguration have been employed by successful candidates largely in recuperating from the stren- uosities of the campaign, with more or less desultory conferences with party leaders and selecting statistical ex- cerpts from reports to dull the inau- gural message. But the dispensation of 1915 had brought forth a different order of governor. Governor Spauld- ing's success in business has been due to knowledge of that business. He reasoned that in order to be a success- ful governor, he needs must know the business of being governor, and set about learning it immediately.
So in the two months following election he visited every state insti- tution, dropping in upon them unex- pectedly. A keen observer, the gov- ernor derived much valuable informa- tion not to be gained by reading reports or at prearranged conferences. The result was that when he was inducted into office, Governor Spaulding was the best informed executive along the needful lines ever inaugurated.
Innovations are accepted easily by the governor. He even had his staff named and uniformed to heighten the color of the inauguration and add tone to the time-honored inaugural ball, so that the fluffy concomitants of a new administration, ordinarily extending over several weeks, could be cleaned up in one day, leaving him free to devote his time to the serious concerns of the state.
When he consented to become a candidate, he mapped out a general plan. When he took office, he had this plan reduced to a workable basis, which he enunciated in his address to the legislature, instead of feeding them up on platitudes and figures. He told the legislators it was desirable to keep the expenditures within the amount the state can afford to spend and to have efficient officials spend that amount. To accomplish that
38
The Granite Monthly
end he favors concentration of power and related duties. Governor Spauld- ing recommended a single head to the highway department, a more effective board of control, consolidation of the banking and auditing departments and of the attorney-general and legacy tax departments, a reorganization of the license law department and com- pulsory supervision of schools.
He had a commission authorized to work out a uniform scheme of muni- cipal finance and accounts, for the con- sideration of the next legislature. He recommended an amendment to the workmen's compensation law to make its operation as nearly automatic as possible and forced through a practi- cable solution of the problem of limiting campaign expenditures; the greater part of which varied program has been carried out or is in process of legislation at this writing.
Some have not met with the favor of the legislature, but the Governor meets defeat and victory with the same smiles and keeps right on, seek- ing the one end of the good of the state as he sees it. W. E. W.
George Irving Haselton, Presi- dent of the New Hampshire Senate, was elected from the sixteenth sena- torial district and on the organization of the Senate he was the unanimous choice of the Republican senators for the office of president of that body.
President Haselton is the only child of Henry I. and Emma E. (French) Haselton and was born in Manchester July 19, 1878. He was educated in the public schools of his native city graduating from its high school in 1898, and after his gradua- tion was for a time in the employ of the Manchester Mills and Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. He after- wards studied law and in 1909 gradu- ated from the law school of the George Washington University at Washing- ton, D. C., receiving the degree of
LL.B., and since his graduation he has been engaged in the practice o,f law at Manchester.
In 1903 he was married to Fannie L. Trenholm, who was born in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia, May 15, 1881, the daughter of Robert and Catherine E. (Mitchell) Trenholm, and they have one child, Mary Louise, born Novem- ber 24, 1907. '
Mr. Haselton is an attendant at the Franklin Street Congregational Church. He is a past master of Lafayette Lodge, No. 41, Free and Accepted Masons; a member of the Mount Horeb Royal Arch Chapter; Adoniram Council; Trinity Com- mandery, Knights Templar; and Bek- tash Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine; also of the Sons of the American Revolution.
As a young Republican he took an active interest in the politics of the Queen City and for four years, 1903-6, was a member of the Common Coun- cil, being president of that body during the last two years of his term. He was a member of the legislature of 1911-12 and 1913-14 and in 1912 was a member of the Constitutional Con- vention.
As the presiding officer of the Senate, Mr. Haselton has made an enviable record, and it is the concen- sus of opinion that in the long line of eminent men who have presided over that body, efficiency and dignity have had no better example.
President Haselton attracts con- fidence in his stability of action and deliberate fairness. While always a devoted and consistent Republican, he is well known for his advanced ideas of party progress and has never failed to advocate the measures of progress that have distinguished the Republican party of New Hampshire in the last decade.
Future usefulness in party councils and endeavor are freely predicted at Concord for the popular and efficient President of the Senate.
HON. GEORGE I. HASELTON President of the Senate
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Ezra M. Smith, of Peterborough, and a Republican member of the Senate from District Number 11, is a man of whom public life has seen a great deal. Born in Langdon in 1838, Mr. Smith was educated at Cold River Union Academy and in the law department of the Albany (New York) University. While prac- ticing his profession as a lawyer he has served as town treasurer for one year, justice of the police court nine
portant judiciary committee and as a member of the committee on towns and parishes. In spite of his advanced years, Mr. Smith is a most active and well-preserved man and his speeches, carefully delivered in a strong, robust voice, are always welcomed and heed- ed on the floor of the senate chamber.
Mr. Smith is married and has two children. He attends the Congrega- tional church and is an Odd Fellow and Patron of Husbandry.
Hon. Ezra M. Smith
years, has been a member of the school board for ten years and for twenty- three years served the town of Peter- borough as a member of the board of selectmen. He was elected as dele- gate to two constitutional conven- tions and as a member of the House of Representatives at the last six sessions of the legislature, in which body no man has wielded a stronger influence for the good of the state.
During his present term as senator he is acting as chairman of the im-
Alvin J. Lucier, Senator from Dis- trict Number 20, has been a promi- nent figure in the legal profession and in Democratic politics in Nashua for many years. He was born there June 16, 1869, and educated in the Nashua public schools, St. Hyacinthe College and the Boston University Law School, graduating from the latter in 1891, since when he has been in the practice of law in his native city, where he is a member of the well- known law firm of Doyle & Lucier,
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the senior partner, who is his brother- in-law, being ex-Mayor Jeremiah J. Doyle.
Senator Doyle's first legis ative service was in 1907 when he was a member of the House of Represen- tatives from Ward 7, serving as a member of the judiciary and rules committees, and taking an active part in the work of the House. He served upon the special committee, appointed at this session to investigate the affair of Hillsborough County, out of which
a minority member. Representing his district in the Senate again the present session, he is assigned to serv- ice on the judiciary, revision of laws and election committees, and is chairman of the committee on claims. He has taken an active part in the work of the session, his previous ex- perience in both branches of the leg- islature having fitted him for efficient service.
Senator Lucier is a Catholic, is married and has three children. He
Hon. Alvin J. Lucier
investigation some practical reforms resulted. He was reelected to the House in 1809, served on the same standing committees, and enhanced his reputation as an efficient legislator.
In the election of 1910 he was chosen senator from District No. 20, and was a prominent figure in the upper branch of the legislature of 1911-12, serving as a member of the judiciary, labor, public improvements, state prison and industrial school committees, and as chairman of the committee on revision of laws, though
is a member of the Derryfield Club of Manchester, the Vesper Country Club of Lowell, the St. Jean Baptiste Society and the Knights of Columbus.
Dr. Edgar O. Crossman. Per- haps more interest in the personality of the members of the 1915 legislature when the session was new, centered in Senator Edgar 0. Crossman of Lis- bon, representing the second district, than in any other member of either branch. Made a prominent figure in the state hospital imbroglio against
DR. EDGAR O. CROSSMAN
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his inclination and, many believe, without reason, he had been the re- cipient of much publicity; some fav- orable, some not so much so. His appointment to the superintendency of the state hospital after Dr. Charles P. Bancroft had been deposed by the Board of Control, turned the wrath of the pro-Bancroft faction against him and made him the mark of vitupera- tion that would have unnerved a thin- skinned man. But Doctor Crossman is used to the political game and if he was hurt by the unwarranted asper- sions on his standing as a psychiatrist, nobody could discover it in the im- perturbable senator who went about his business as if his name never had been coupled with "intricate political intrigues" or other fantastic hallu- cinations.
That is the dominant characteristic of Doctor Crossman. He has de- veloped the power of concentration and whether it be in private concerns, the practice of his profession, or in politics, he keeps his mind on the mat- ter in hand and knows every minute what he is doing and why. He is a shining type of the public-spirited professional man who is keeping New Hampshire to the front as a progres- sive state. His fertile mind conceived the state care of the insane, the board of control, the spirit of which sur- vives despite the change in name sought by the present legislature and was a prime mover in the creation of the board of charities and correction. He was a trustee of the state hospital ten years, being president when the board was abolished, and a member of the board of charities and president also of that.
He was a member of the House of Representatives in 1903 and collector of internal revenue under Presidents Roosevelt and Taft, has been medi- cal referee of Grafton County and prominent in national, state and county medical societies. He was born in Ludlow, Vt., June 8, 1864, and was educated at the New Hampshire State College and University of Ver-
mont Medical School. The founda- tion of his training in psychiatry was laid in the institutions at Clifton Springs, N. Y., and Markelton, Pa., supplemented by his service as presi- dent of the board of trustees of the New Hampshire State Hospital, giv- ing him high standing as an alienist, as well as a general practitioner. He is chairman of the Senate Committees on public health and a member of education, public improvements, state library, Soldiers' Home and roads, bridges and canals committees.
Hon. Nathaniel E. Martin, sena- tor from District Number Fifteen, is one of the Democratic leaders in the state, and as a senator has been an unqualified success.
Senator Martin was born in Loudon August 9, 1855, and spent his youth upon his father's farm. Between chores he found time to attend the town schools, later enrolling in the Concord High school from which in- stitution he graduated in 1876. Fol- lowing this he studied law with Sar- gent and Chase, being admitted to the New Hampshire bar in 1879. As a young man he took deep interest in the affairs of the city and of the state and in 1887 he was elected solicitor of Merrimack County, holding the office for two years. In 1899 he was elected mayor of Concord and his administration of the municipal af- fairs for the next two years was of the highest order.
He has often been referred to as "The People's Lawyer," probably by reason of the fact that no case has ever been too insignificant or small for him to handle with the same de- gree of skill and care that he would exercise in a case where large issues were at stake. To this fact, in a great measure, is his popularity due. He has always been a hearty supporter of Democratic doctrines and has served as chairman of state and city committees. In 1904 he was a dele- gate from this state to the National
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Democratic convention at St. Louis and in 1912 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention.
Aside from his extensive law prac- tice, Mr. Martin has found time to engage in lumbering operations and to deal considerably in real estate, of which he is an extensive owner. He is an ardent sportsman and is as much at home with a rod or gun as with a law brief. He has taken active in- terest in the affairs of the senate and
Edwin C. Bean of Belmont, the speaker of the present House of Repre- sentatives, was born in Gilmanton on February 20, 1854. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and at Tilton Seminary. Leav- ing the preparatory school he entered business and soon located in Bel- mont, where he has been actively identified with the drug and general merchandise business. He is married and has three children. He attends
Hon. Nathaniel E. Martin
is a member of the following com- mittees: Judiciary, military affairs, towns and parishes and chairman of the committee on state hospital.
His professional calling has en- dowed him with the knowledge of how to make a convincing speech; a "right to the point" speech in the fewest possible words and for this reason he has been able to weild an unmistak- able influence in the senate. He is affiliated with the Odd Fellows and is a Patriach Militant.
the Free Baptist church, is a Knight Templar and Scottish Rite Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a Granger. He is also a member and has been president of the New Hampshire Retail Grocers' Association.
"Bean of Belmont" has always been more or less prominent in public life, having taken an active part in town affairs, serving as moderator, town clerk and postmaster and also having attended county, district and state committee conventions of his
HON. EDWIN C. BEAN Speaker of the House of Representatives
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The Granite Monthly
party. He represented his town in the legislature of 1887 and was a member of the state senate in 1901. As a dele- gate from this state he attended the National Republican convention of 1904 and was an active member of the last state Constitutional Conven- tion. Mr. Bean served on the staff of the late Governor McLane as an aide-de-camp with the rank of Colo- nel. During the legislature of two
House. He has filled the position with dignity and nothing but the greatest credit is his due for the quiet, yet forceful manner with which he has expedited the business of one of the largest governing bodies in the world.
Levin J. Chase, Representative from Ward 3, Concord, is one member of the House who is always sure of an attentive audience when he arises to
Levin J. Chase
years ago, Mr. Bean was one of the most prominent members, being chair- man of the Republican caucus and also chairman of the committee on education, although he gave deep personal consideration to every other question of import which arose during the session, often speaking forcefully on matters in which he took an inter- est.
Mr. Bean was nominated for speaker of the House by the Repub- lican caucus this year, upon the first ballot, and was similarly elected in the
speak. Two years ago he established a reputation as the most brilliant phrase coiner in the legislature and as a cogent feasoner on any subject in which he was interested enough to talk. This session he has easily maintained that reputa- tion. Curiously, two speeches stand out conspicuously in each session. His fame in the 1913 session would have been secured on his "gray squirrel" speech alone, but a little later he came through with his other gem on equal suffrage, a scintillantly epigrammatic and bitingty satirical dissertation,
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from which some of the butts have not recovered yet.
This year he repeated on the suf- frage issue and to maintain the hu- manitarian equilibrium, he went out after the abolishment of capital pun- ishment when a Hillsborough county jury demonstrated that the existing law does not in reality do away with the death penalty. When Chase introduced his repeal bill, it was greeted with the same merry guffaws that met the gray squirrel measure, particularly by the Manchester con- tingent which was quite well satisfied with the jury's verdict. But just as he routed the coldly practical ob- jections by farmers who found only bare husks where nice yellow corn had been before the squirrels denuded the husks, by touching descriptions of the playful antics and graceful scurryings of the squirrels in the state house yard, this year he sent creepy sensations shooting down legislators' spines by a harrowing recital of an execution he witnessed some aeons ago in California. While the thrill was on, the House passed the bill to the surprise and consternation of its opponents.
Any bill that carries a reasonable humanitarian appeal finds the hearty support of Mr. Chase. His particular hobby is the state prison and it was due more to his insistent demand for a board of trustees for that institu- tion than anything else, that the com- promise board of control bill was framed, providing that there be a central board of ten members, with two designated to look after each of the five state institutions.
Mr. Chase comes of old New Hamp- shire stock, although he was born in Philadelphia, February 1, 1862. He was the son of Reginald and Susan (Stanwood) Chase, both natives of Hopkinton. He was educated in Philadelphia, but passed much of his youth in Hopkinton and he still owns the ancestral home in that village, which is situated near the Episcopal church, of which his grandfather, Rev.
Moses B. Chase, was rector. In 1888, Mr. Chase went to San Francisco, where for eighteen years he was con- nected with the Wells Fargo Com- pany. He then returned east and since 1909 has been connected with the Concord Electric Company, first as cashier and now as manager. By inclination he is a Republican, though of an independent caste that impels him to weigh men and measures rather than the party label in deciding how he will vote. His political ene- mies, and he has quite a few, call him a psychological spot-lighter. His ad- mirers, and he has more, declare him a keen-visioned altruist.
George H. Duncan, Representa- tive from Jaffrey, was born in Leo- minster, Mass., December 23, 1876, his parents moving to Jaffrey a few months later. He attended the Jaffrey schools, graduated from the Murdock School at Winchendon, Mass., and entered Amherst College with the class of 1899, being prevented from graduat- ing by the death of his father during the senior year. While in college he was member of the College Glee Club and the Track Team. Return- ing to Jaffrey he took up his father's business as a druggist, which he has since continued. He was married in 1900 and has one son thirteen years old. He is a member and past master of Charity Lodge of Masons and a member of the Grange.
Mr. Duncan has been active in the life of the community, having served as selectman, tax collector, member of the school board, prosecuting agent, constable and justice of the district police court. For the past three years he has been president of the Jaffrey Board of Trade. Politically he is a Democrat, has been for ten years a member of the State Committee, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1912. In the present House he is clerk of the Democratic caucus, clerk of the Revision of Statutes Committee, and member of the committee on House Journal.
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He is an enthusiastic single taxer, believing that only by raising funds for community expenditures by a tax on land in proportion to its value can economic freedom be gained. In connection with this movement he is secretary of the newly organized New Hampshire Single Tax Club. But before this important change in tax matters can be obtained, he believes there must be political freedom. Consequently he is a strong supporter
came up for consideration, he, as chairman of the committee on liquor laws, was brought prominently to the front.
Mr. Garland was born in Parsons- field, Me., December 23, 1867. He was educated there in the common and high schools and at the present time is engaged in the general mer- chandise business. He is married, has four sons and a daughter and in religion is a Methodist. He has al-
George H. Duncan
of the initiative and referendum, and is secretary of the New Hamp- shire Direct Legislation League, a member of the Executive Council of the American Proportional Represen- tation League, and one of the advisory editors of Equity, which is devoted to these improvements in representative government.
John H. Garland, who represents the town of Conway in the House at this session of the legislature is a man, large not only in stature but in men- tal capabilities and during the stirring scenes enacted in the House when the bill to abolish the present license law
John H. Garland
ways taken an active interest in town and state affairs, having been town clerk, selectman, supervisor, modera- tor and at the present is a trustee of the public library. This is by no means his first visit to Concord as a member of the state governing body for he was a member of the legisla- tures of 1905 and 1907.
Olin H. Chase, editor and pub- lisher of the Republican Champion of Newport, is one of the young Repub- licans of the state who is and always has been ready to cast his lot with the element of his party which is com- monly called "standpat" and this
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sentiment he has never been ashamed to voice. He was born in Springfield, August 24, 1876, the son of Hosea B. and Evelyne H. (Kidder) Chase. Educated at the Newport High School he soon learned the printer's trade and has been editor and manager of the Champion for the past eleven years. He was a second lieutenant of Company M, First New Hamp- shire Volunteers in the Spanish War, and, following the war, was a
Ira Leon Evans is not only one of the j^oungest, but is one of the most energetic and successful business men of the Capital City, so it is not in the least surprising that Ward Four gave him more votes for repre- sentative than any other candidate. He has entered into his duties as a member of the House with the same characteristic thoroughness that has brought him success in the printing business as proprietor of the Evans
Olin H. Chase
Ira Leon Evans
captain in the N. H. N. G. for five years.
He has always been particularly active in advancing the welfare of his town and of the state. He has been a leading member of the New- port Board of Trade and of the State Board of which he was president in 1912-13; has been town clerk for many years and is active in Masonry. He is a Congregationalist in religion. In the House he is a very active man, claiming membership on three com- mittees; public improvements, state hospital and rules.
Press, although a portion of his bus- iness ability and sagacity may have been inherited from his father, the late Ira C. Evans, at the time of his death one of the oldest and best known printers in the state.
Mr. Evans was born in Concord on July 14, 1884, and educated at the Concord High School. He is married, has a son and daughter, has served in the Second Regiment Band of the N. H. N. G. and that he is some "jiner" is evidenced by the following list of fraternal organiza- tions and clubs with which he is
MAJOR JAMES F. BRENNAN
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affiliated: Elks, Odd Fellows, Re- bekahs, Knights of Pythias, D. O. K. K., Sons of Veterans, Typographical Union, White Mountain Travelers Association, Concord Poard of Trade, Concord Press Club, Kearsarge Club, Contoocook River Improvement So- ciety and the N. H. Press Associa- tion. In the House he is a member of the committee on industrial school.
James F. Brennan of Peterborough is the able leader of the minority or democratic party in the House and was that party's candidate for speaker this session. He was elected to the House for the first time two years ago, being the first democratic representa- tive from that town in sixty years; his popularity and ability returning him to the 1915 legislature by an increased majority.
Major Brennan Was born in Peter- borough, March 31, 1853, and, after graduating from Maryland University in Baltimore in 1884, he engaged in the practice of law in his native town where he has continued for over a quarter of a century gaining a large clientage and making a host of friends through his ability, geniality, enter- prise and public spirit. He has not only taken an active part on promot- ing the interests of his town, but he has grasped every opportunity to boost for New Hampshire. For six years, up until 1909, he was one of the three trustees of the State Library and is now a member of the State Board of Charities and Correction to which he was appointed in 1899. As a member of the legislature of 1913 he gained a reputation as an eloquent and effective speaker of great resources and ready wit. He is a member of the judiciary, elections and rules committees of the present House.
Major Brennan takes a great in- terest in historical matters and is a member of the Peterborough, Ameri- can-Irish and New Hampshire His- torical Societies, holding the position of historiographer in the first two
named. He has long been prominent in the councils and on the stump for the democratic party, for many years being a member of the executive com- mittee of the state committee. He served as a member of the staff of Governor Felker. In religion he is a Catholic.
Honest, able and aggressive, he is among the formulaters of public opinion. Urged to allow his name to be used as a candidate for high state offices, he has steadfastly refused; accepting no offices other than those from his own town and those in which he was especially interested in a charitable or literary way.
Aristide L. Pelissier
Aristide L. Pelissier was one of three young Republicans who outdis- tanced their Democratic opponents in the representative contest in Ward Seven, Concord, at the November election. Although not exactly new in the political field, Mi . Pelissier is now serving his first term as a member of the state government. However he has been a member of the city govern- ment of the Capital City, as a mem- ber of the city council from 1906 to
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1910 and as a ward alderman in 1911-'13.
Mr. Pelissier was born in Yamaska, Province of Quebec, October 13, 1869, removing to Concord as a young boy. He was educated in the public schools of Concord and at the Ottawa (Canada) College. At the present time he is engaged in the saddlery and harness business, with his uncle, at 9 Warren street, Concord. He is married and is a Catholic.
may well be termed one of the most active men in that body. He is a thorough Democrat and is keenly alive to everything that is going on. A member of the two important com- mittees— state hospital and ways and means, he has plenty of opportunity to work, aside from on the floor of the House, and he takes every ad- vantage of the opportunity thus af- forded.
He is a native of Concord, born
William A. Lee
Mr. Pelissier is affiliated with the Association Canado Americaine, the St. Jean Baptiste D'Amerique and the Catholic Order of Foresters. From 1907 to 1911 he was the head of the latter order in this state. He is an unassuming gentleman who has many friends in this city and in the state. He is a member and clerk of the committee on claims.
William A. Lee, who represents Ward Eight of Concord in the House
April 10, 1862. Following an educa- tion in the public schools he learned the plumber's trade and has been engaged for many years as a plumb- ing and heating contractor, with an office at 12 Center street. Mr. Lee married Josephine Kelley of North- field, Vt., and they have one son. He is a Catholic in religion and is connected with no fraternal organiza- tions. He has given much of his time in furthering the interests and looking after the welfare of the Capi-
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53
tal city, having served two years as a member of the common council, six years as an alderman and ten years as a member of the board of assessors under the old charter.
Henry B. Fairbanks, one of the leaders of the Manchester delegation, was elected as a Republican from the third ward of the Queen City. He was born in Manchester on Oct. 10, 1847, the son of Alfred G. Fairbanks.
one man in the state can boast of. However, it is not alone through his vocation that Mr. Fairbanks is well known for perhaps even more people of the state know him either as com- mander of the famous military organ- ization, the Amoskeag Veterans, which position he has held for seven years, or as department commander of the Patriachs Militant. The last posi- tion he has held for twelve years. He is also a Fast Grand of Wildeyj Lodge, I. O. O. F., a Red Man and a charter
Henry B. Fairbanks
He was educated in the public schools of that city, graduating from the high school and entering the hardware business. He was with the Staniels Hardware Company for five and a half years and for two years with the John D. Varick Company. He later engaged in the stove business and for five years was a member of the firm of Fairbanks & Folsom.
Now, as an auctioneer, appraiser and real estate broker, he is one of the best known men in New Hampshire, he having gained through his business, as wide an acquaintanceship as any
member of the Calumet Club of Man- chester.
He has always taken a deep interest in the affairs of the city of Manchester and at one time served in the city council. He was a delegate to the state Constitutional Convention of 1912 and was a member of the legisla- ture of two years ago. He is married and has one child.
Mr. Fairbanks takes a hearty inter- est in the business of the legislature and has been very attentive to his duties as a member of the committee on Appropriations.
BENJAMIN W. COUCH
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Benjamin W. Couch of Ward Five, Concord, was born in this city, August 19, 1873, and educated at Concord High School, Dartmouth College and the Harvard Law School. He went to the legislature first in 1911 and at that time was made chairman of the important committee on judiciary. The voters of his ward sent him back to the legislature in 1913 and although he was an earnest Republican, Mr. Couch was again made chairman of the judiciary com- mittee, a position which he filled with fairness and ability. His excel- lent record in the service of the state led to his appointment as a member of the State Board of Control under the Felker administration and it is not surprising that Mr. Couch is found at the head of the judiciary committee of the present legislature. He is one of the most logical speakers in the House and his concise, pithy arguments have put an end to many a lengthy debate during the present session. He has held many impor- tant municipal offices and is an active member of several local clubs. He is a Mason, attends the Unitarian church and at the present time is engaged in the practice of law in Concord.
moved to Providence, R. I. He is a Son of the American Revolution on both sides of the family.
Mr. Wright's early education was obtained in the public schools of Sanbornton. He attended Franklin High school, graduating in 1896 after which he took a general course at New Hampshire College, grad- uating from the latter in 1900 after an active four years. He was prominent in athletics at Durham, playing on the varsity baseball and football teams during his entire course.
Robert M. Wright, Republican member of the House from Sanborn- ton, is the only son of Rev. Elisha H. and Ambrosia (Morrill) Wright. Born October 31, 1877, onthe farm which has been owned in the Morrill family for more than one hundred and twenty-five years, Mr. Wright has ever since made it his home. He is descended from good old New England parentage, claiming relationship on his mother's side with Henry Morrill, who settled in Hawke, now Danville, N. H., and with Abra- ham Morrill, who settled in Cambridge and Salisbury, Mass. and died in the latter place in 1662. On his father's side, he is a lineal descendant of one of the earliest of Colonial settlers, Henry Wright, who came to Dorchester, Mass., about 1634 and from there re-
Robert M. Wright
He was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.
Upon graduation he taught in the public schools of Hill and Belmont, N. H., being principal of the grammar schools in the latter town. He was afterwards an instructor in the Stearns School for Boys at Hartford, Ct., and later engaged in business in Hill for a period of four years. Later he studied law in the office of Streeter and Hollis at Concord and attended the Boston University Law school in 1910. When Mr. Allen Hollis with- drew from the firm, Mr. Wright con-
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The Granite Monthly
tinued his studies with him and M'as admitted to the bar in 1912. Since that time he has been engaged in the practice of law in the office of Allen Hollis.
In politics, he has always been a Republican. In 1905 he was elected chairman of the board of selection of Sanbornton, succeeding a chairman who had held the position for sixteen years. After a second year in that position he served three years as
and a member of the Committee on Revision of Statutes, his practical and first-hand information as to the con- ditions in the " Little Republic," coupled with his legal training, being exceedingly helpful in the work of those important committees. The fact that he retains his rural environ- ments and yet comes in contact with city life daily while practicing law in Concord, cannot help but be benefi- cial to his constituents.
Fred G. Smalley
second member of the board. He was a member of the Constitutional Con- vention of 1912 and since 1910 has been chairman of the Republican Club of Sanbornton.
On August 30, 1911, he married Nettie G. Straw of Hill and they have one son, Robert Morrill Wright, who was born December 2, 1913. He is a Mason and Patron of Husbandry.
As a member of the present House Mr. Wright has taken an active part both in debate upon the floor and in the committee work. He is chairman of the Committee on Incorporations
Fred C. Smalley, Republican member of the House from Ward Three, Dover, received the highest vote cast for representative in his ward on election day last November. He is known in Dover as one of the " wide- awakes" and because of his active interests in everything pertaining to the welfare of the city has been elected to the city council on two different occasions and is now serving his third term as a ward alderman in the city government.
Mr. Smalley was born at Shrews- bury, Vt., on November 18, 1866, and
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educated in the Green Mountain state at Black River Academy, Ludlow, Vt. He afterwards took a course in the Albany (N. Y.) Business College, en- tering into the monumental business shortly afterwards. Today he is en- gaged in the manufacture of granite and marble for monumental and build- ing purposes with places of business in Dover and Portsmouth. He also has large quarry interests in Milford, N. H., and Westerly, R. I. and owns a fine plot of farm land just outside the city of Dover which he has cultivated according to the latest and most ap- proved methods.
Mr. Smalley is married and has two sons and two daughters. He attends the Unitarian church, is a Mason — ■ lodge, chapter, council, commandery; belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arcanum. He is also a member of the Bellamy Club of Dover.
Although deeply interested in the affairs of the state, Mr. Smalley has never been heard on the floor of the House except once and that was when he arose to endorse the passage of a resolution introduced for the purpose of expediting business. As a member of the committees on Banks and En- grossed bills and as one of the leading men of the Strafford County delega- tion, Mr. Smalley manages to keep very busy while attending the ses- sions.
reinlistment on June 12, 1862. On August 15, 1862, he was appointed Captain of K company which office he held when he was discharged on account of disability on November 2, 1864.
Many are the deeds of valor which are told of Colonel Sanborn, but none surpass in heroism the incident which accured at the Siege of Wagner. The
Col. True Sanborn, of Chichester, is not only the oldest member of the present House of Representatives, but he also stands out by reason of his prominent military record, which continued over a period of thirty consecutive, years. Colonel Sanborn served with gallantry in the Civil War, enlisting on September 14, 1861, from Chichester as a member of Company I, 4th New Hampshire volunteers. On September 20 of the same year he was made second lieutenant. He was mustered out of service for a short period and was immediately appointed first Lieutenant of Company K upon
Col. True Sanborn
men of the Fourth were worn and heartbroken after months of the siege. One day when a detail of his company was hard pressed, Captain Sanborn waived his rank and leaving his sword in his tent, seized a rifle and went to the front line as a private soldier in order to lighten the detail and raise the spirits of his command.
FolloAving the war, Captain San- born was active^ identified with the state militia for years, here receiving his title of Colonel. He was born in Chichester on July 30, 1827. and re-
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The Granite Monthly
ceived a common school education. He has always been a farmer and has established considerable reputation as a surveyor, it being said that no man in his section could estimate the value of a lumber lot closer than True Sanborn. He is a widower with six children. He attends the Methodist church.
Colonel Sanborn is an active and popular member of the House in spite of his eighty-eight years. As is most befitting, he is a member of the
ready to speak his mind on any one of the momentous questions that arise to be settled in the House. He fathered the bill to grant municipal suffrage to women of New Hampshire and his oratorical effort in behalf of the bill was none the less a masterpiece be- cause of the fact that the measure was defeated. He also has been given credit for defeating the proposed amendments to the present primary law which would have practically destroyed it. As a member of the
George A. Wood
committee on military affairs and takes a deep interest in the work of this committee. Several times he has filled the speaker's chair with dignity and ability during the session.
George A. Wood of Portsmouth, Ward Two, is one of the "big" men who represent old "Strawberry Bank" in the House of Representatives and he is big in physical proportions as well as in mental ability. Mr. Wood is probably as well known as any mem- ber of the House and he is always
committee on revision of statutes and also the committee on engrossed bills, he finds plenty to do in the com- mittee rooms and makes the most of his.opportunity to thus serve the state.
Mr. Wood was born in South Acworth on August 24, 1862, and received his early education there and at the Vermont Academy. He is married and has four children.
Mr. Wood has also been active in municipal affairs and was alderman in the city of Portsmouth for two years. For many years he. was Dep-
The New Hampshire Legislature of 1915
59
uty Collector of Internal Revenue at Portsmouth, commencing under his father, the late Col. James A. Wood of Acworth, who was long one of the prominent leaders of the Republican party in the State. His wife, Mary I. Wood, is well known as a leader in club life and in Equal Suffrage work.
Harry K. Rogers is one of the three Democrats who represents the lively and interesting town of Pem-
Harry K. Rogers
broke in the legislature of 1913. Liv- ing on the Pembroke side of the village of Suncook, he has ever been mindful of the welfare of his town and made a fine record during his three years as a selectman.
He was born in Bow, May 11, 1886, and received his education in Pem- broke and at the Concord High School, graduating from Dartmouth with the class of 1908. He is married, has one child and is a Protestant. At present he is well known throughout central New Hampshire as a whole- sale lumber man, being engaged in buying and operating woodlots. He also does considerable civil engineer-
ing work. He is affiliated with the following fraternal organizations and clubs: Patrons of Husbandry, Moose, Masons, Knights Templars, Shriners, Suncook Club and Suncook Valley Fish and Game Association. He is president of the latter organization and as its head has done much toward the propagation and conservation of fish and game in Merrimack county. He is a member of the House com- mittee on banks.
Paul Labonte
Paul Labonte is a solid substan- tial Democrat who represents the third ward of the town of Somers- worth, a solid substantial Democratic city where Republicans are as scarce as Progressives are today in the state.
He was born in Canada, February 10, 1877, and educated at Levis in the Province of Quebec. He conducts probably the largest grocery business in Somersworth, is married and a Catholic.
Mr. Labonte has had as wide an experience in municipal affairs as any man in the state, having served his city as councilman, city clerk and
HON. WILLIAM J. AHERN
The New Hampshire Legislature of 1915
61
mayor. He made a fine record while acting in the latter capacity. He is a member of the Elks, Eagles, A. C. A., C. 0. F., U. S. J. B., and A. F.
William J. Ahern of Ward Nine, Concord, is now serving his tenth term in the House. He was born in Concord on May 19, 1855, and following a public school education entered into politics where he has been prominent ever since. He has served as a county commissioner, deputy sheriff and jailer and has long been the efficient secretary of the State Board of Charities and Cor- rections. Mr. Ahern is a member of the committee on appropriations and of the committee on rules in the House this year and is one_ of the strong leaders of the minority party. He is considered the best parliamen- tarian in the House and- has straight- ened out many a seemingly hopeless tangle through his intimate knowledge of the rules of procedure.
Franklin Pierce Curtis hadserved the interests of Ward Two, Concord, so successfully as a member of the legislatures of 1911 and 1913 that the citizens of "Eastside" returned him to the present House. He is actively interested in the development of agriculture in the state and probably for this reason takes an even deeper interest in the work of the committee on agricultural college than he would otherwise. He is also a member of the state library committee.
Born February 12, 1856, the son of the late George H. and Harriett (Lougee) Curtis, he was educated in the public schools and by private tutors. His parents having moved to East Concord when he was but a year old, Mr. Curtis as a young man became interested in the affairs of that section of the city and through his work as a newspaper reporter and correspondent was able to keep in close touch with every phase of life in Ward Two. Alwavs a Demo-
crat, he has been ward clerk for over twenty years; has been a supervisor of the checklist for two terms and has also represented his ward in the city government as an alderman for two terms.
He is affiliated with several frater- nal organizations, attends the Con- gregational and Episcopal churches of his ward and for the last two years served as clerk of the Concord dis- trict police court.
Frank P. Curtis
Charles W. Tobey of Temple is the leading Progressive member of the House of Representatives and a 3roung man whose pleasing personality, comprehensive power of reasoning and forceful arguments have gained for him many friends. He always has an attentive audience when he takes the floor to speak and whether he be arguing the popular or unpopular side he holds the members' attention until he is through. No one thinks for Tobey. That fact is evident to anyone who enjoys his acquaintance, even for the short space of an hour.
He was particularly successful early in the session in his fight to
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The Granite Monthly
have the South Side highway go over Temple mountain, where it was originally laid out by the Felker administration, and his triumph over the strong opposition which wanted the location changed, was a particu- larly noteworthy one.
Mr. Tobey was born in Roxbury, Mass, on July 22, 1880, and was edu- cated in the Boston public schools and in the Roxbury Latin school. He is a farmer who specializes in the rais-
during the present session of the House, he having argued strongly on the floor against the bill to do away with compulsory vaccination and having done much work in favor of the car stake bill which passed the House. He also did considerable work in behalf of the single-headed fish and game commission and has been not only a regular, but an interested attendant upon all sessions.
Mr. Huckins was born in New
Charles W. Tobey
ing of poultry; is married and has four children. In religion he is a Baptist. Mr Tobey has been ac- tively interested in the affairs of the town of Temple, being a selectman and chairman of the school committee. In the House he is a member of the committee on revision of statutes.
John C. Huckins, of Ashland, is a young Progressive member of the House, whose name must be added to that honorable list of successful New Hampshire physicians who have been public-spirited enough to give a part of their valuable time to the needs of the body politic. Mr. Huckins has been quite a little in the limelight
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John C. Huckins
Hampton on December 24, 1878. He was educated at the New Hampton Literary Institution and graduated from the Baltimore Medical College with the class of 1904. He practices as a physician, is a Protestant and a member of the various state and county medical societies. He is affili- ated with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Huckins is married and has one son.
Aside from his interest in the affairs of state, he has been a prominent figure in town affairs at Ashland, is now serving his second term as select- man. He is a member of the House committees on public health and school for feeble-minded.
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Bertram Blaisdell of Meredith is one of the Democratic minority in the House and a man who has gained considerable prominence at this ses- sion by reason of the active interest he has displayed in the work of the judiciary committee, of which he is a member, and also in the general work of the House.
Born in Meredith on April 13, 1869, the son of Philip D. and Jane Leavitt Blaisdell, he attended the public schools of his native town and pre- pared for college at Tilton Seminary.
two children and is a member of the Congregational church.
Under the administration of Gov- ernor Felker, Mr. Blaisdell was ap- pointed special justice of the Laconia District court, which included in its jurisdictions the city of Laconia and the towns of Meredith, New Hamp- ton, Gilford and Center Harbor. As police court justice he gave the great- est possible satisfaction, being pos- sessed of the faculty of tempering justice with clemency to just the proper degree.
Bertram Blaisdell
He graduated from Brown University with the class of 1892 and was prin- cipal of Meredith High school for three years following his graduation. He then took up the study of law with the Hon. S. W. Rollins, and fol- lowing his admittance to the bar in 1897 he opened an office in Meredith where he still continues to practice.
He has been very active in town affairs and at the present time is chairman of the school board. He has served as a trustee of the Mere- dith Village Savings bank and is a member of Chocorua Lodge, No. 83, A. F. and A. M. He is married, has
George I. Leighton
George I. Leighton, representa- tive from Ward Two, Dover, is one of the most popular men of that city, as is evidenced by the fact that he re- ceived by far the highest vote of any of the six candidates from his ward. Always a steadfast Republican, Mr. Leighton has previously served his party and city as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1902 and as a member of the House of Rep- resentatives in 1907.
Porn and educated in Vermont, a barber by trade, but also proprietor of a modern restaurant in the city of his adoption, Mr. Leighton is
HON. JAMES O. LYFORD
The New Hampshire Legislature of 191-5
65
married, is a Protestant and among the fraternal organizations, is a Mason, Knight of Malta and Red Man.
In the present session he is serving as a member of the committees on railroads and claims.
Hon. James O. Lyford, Represen- tative from Ward Four, a leading fig- ure in the Republican party of New Hampshire for many years, and an active member of the House in this and previous sessions, is a native of Boston, Mass., born June 28, 1853, but removed to Canterbury in early life, where he passed his childhood and youth. He was educated in the public schools and at Tilton Semi- nary, studied law, but entered jour- nalism and political life, in which he has been active and conspicuous. He was a delegate from Canterbury in the Constitutional Convention of 1876, and from Ward Four, Concord in those of 1902 and 1912, and repre- sented the latter also in the legisla- tures of 1893, 1895, and 1897, serv- ing on the Judiciary Committee, as during the present session, and tak- ing a prominent part in both com- mittee work and debate. He was Chairman of the State Bank Com- mission from 1887 to 1895; City Auditor of Concord from 1896 to 1898 and U. S. Naval Officer at the port of Boston from 1898 to 1913. He is married, has one son, is a Uni- tarian and a member of the Wono- lancet Club and Capital Grange of Concord, of the Algonquin and City Clubs of Boston, and the Derryfield Club of Manchester.
James E. French of Moulton- borough is now serving his eleventh term as a member of the House of Representatives. In fact he has be- come so much of a "fixture" in the House that delegations of school children visiting the legislature with their teacher, always ask to have "Jim" French pointed out to them. Until a Democratic administration drove him to a second place last year
he had always headed the committee on appropriations, and so it is not sur- prising that, with the "G. O. P." back in the saddle in the Granite State, Mr. French is again directing the affairs of this important com- mittee as its chairman. Aside from his experience in the House he has served one term in the senate and was a delegate to the constitutional con- vention of 1912. He was collector of internal revenue from 1889 to 1893 and a railroad commissioner from 1879 to 1883.*
Dr. Ervin W. Hodsdon
Ervin W. Hodsdon, M. D., Repub- lican representative from the town of Ossipee, was born there on April 8, 1863, the son of Edward P. and Emma B. (Demerritt) Hodsdon. He was educated in the schools of his native town, at Dover High School, Phillips Exeter Academy and gradu- ated from Washington University at St. Louis, Mo. in the class of 1884, with the degree of M. D.
Following his graduation he was
* For portrait, see page 35.
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The Granite Monthly
interne in the City^ Hospital at St. Louis for two years after which he went to Dover where he engaged in practice. Later he removed to Center Sandwich and afterwards to Ossipee, where he has lived for the past nineteen years.
Doctor Hodsdon, like innumerable other New Hampshire physicians, has found time to assist in the man- agement of- town and state affairs. In Ossipee he has taken an active interest in the development of the town and is at the present time chair- man of the board of selectmen. For^
Grange, A. 0. U. W., Knights of Pythias, New Hampshire Medical Society and American Medical Asso- ciation. In the House he is chairman of the committee on state hospital and a member of the committee on public health. He is the father of the bill making provision for the parole of insane patients. Doctor Hodsdon is seldom heard on the floor in debate, preferring to do his work, and he accomplishes a great deal, in the com- mittee rooms. Ossipee would do well to return Doctor Hodsdon to the legis- lature two vears hence.
John G. M. Glessner
twelve years he was a member of the school committee and has been town clerk. For seventeen years he was postmaster and has been a member of the board of health ever since he has been in the town. He also held the position of medical referee for Carroll County for a period of ten years and is physician to Carroll County farm.
Doctor Hodsdon is unmarried, is a Methodist and affiliated with the following fraternal organizations: Im- proved Order of Red Men, Masons.
John G. M. Glessner represents Bethlehem in the House of Represen- tatives and that he really does repre- sent the entire town, Republicans, Democrats and Progressives alike, is quite evident when one learns that he received 174 votes and four other unwilling candidates divided up fifteen scattering votes among themselves for representative at the last election. The fact that he was born in'Chicago in 1871 and was educated at Harvard in no way counts against John Gless-
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67
ner in Bethlehem, for the rural popu- lation and the transient hay fever guests alike proclaim him to be a far- seeing, generous and public-spirited citizen.
He is the owner and manager of a large country estate in the famous little mountain town of hotels; is married and has four children. He owns considerable property in Beth- lehem which he is always improving in one way and another, always seek- ing to benefit his fellow townsmen.
He is the chairman of the Repub- lican caucus and directed the speak- ers' bureau for the Republican State committee in the campaign of 1914. For these reasons he is widely known aside from the fact that he is a mem- ber of this legislature and that of two years ago. A most unassuming gentle- man, he is seldom heard on the floor of the House and rarely, if ever, speaks in debate.
There is no busier man in the House than he, however, for he is clerk of the important judiciary committee, one of the most exacting positions that falls to the lot of any member. Two years ago he was a member of the committees on appropriations and forestry and chairman of the special committee on cross-state highways.
Mr. Glessner's friends, and he has a host of them in the state, expect that a term in the Senate may be followed a few years from now with the announcement of his candidacy for the highest office of governor.
Charles E. Tilton, member of the present legislature from the town of Tilton which was so named in honor of his father, the late Charles E. Tilton, is serving his second term as representative and is a member of the important judiciary committee. He was born in Tilton, May 6, 1887, received his education at St. Paul's School, Concord, Harvard Univer- sity and Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is a member of the Harvard, Technology and Univer- sity clubs; he is also a thirty-second
degree Mason. He is married, has one son, and in religion is an Episco- palian.
In politics a Democrat, Mr. Tilton has figured prominently, for in 1912 he was made a presidential elector, ^as elected to the state legislature at the same time and was elevated to the rank of Major on the staff of Governor Felker. He has also served
Major Charles E. Tilton
as clerk of the Democratic state con- vention and chairman of the Belknap County delegation. Mr. Tilton is one of the youngest members of the House, and although he is not often heard on the floor, he takes the closest interest in the welfare of his constit- uents and of the commonwealth.
Henry W. Keyes won his election to the House of Representatives from the town of Haverhill as a straight Republican, nothing more, and al- though no member of the legislature has more at heart the welfare of the state than he, it is seldom if ever that his voice is heard on the floor of the House in debate. A member of the
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The Granite Monthly
important committee on appropria- tions, his keen intellect and sound judgment is here deeply appreciated. Mr. Keyes has long been in public life in the state, having served for ten years, 1903-13, as a member of the license commission, with Cyrus Little of Manchester and Judge John Kivel of Dover. His friends are even now insisting that his wide knowledge of the inner workings of this important commission would make him a most valuable man to the state as a member of the new commission which is soon to
suits, his beautiful farm at Haverhill being one of the show places of the township, Mr. Keyes has a variety of other business interests being a di- rector of the Connecticut and Pas- sumpsic Railroad and vice-president of the Nashua River Paper Company. He is married and is a Mason and a Patron of Husbandry.
No man can claim a more heartfelt interest in the affairs of his town than Mr. Keyes has in Haverhill where he has served many terms as a selectman. Anything that tends for the better-
Hon. Henry W. Keyes
be appointed by Governor Spaulding. Mr. Keyes was born in the neigh- boring state of Vermont, which com- monwealth has given the Granite State a great number of men who became prominent in public life. The town of his birth was Newbury and the date, May 23, 1863. He was educated in the Boston public schools, at Adams Academy and at Harvard College, graduating from the latter institution with the class of 1887. Although engaged in agricultural pur-
ment of agricultural conditions, either in his section or any part of the state elicits the entire sympathy of this Haverhill farmer and he has served as a trustee of the State Agricultural college at Durham. Aside from his ten-years' term of service as a license commissioner, Mr. Keyes was a repre- sentative to the general court in 1891 and 1893 and a senator in 1903.
He is a man of marked personality and endowed with large mental abil- ity. As a business man he has shown
The New Hampshire Legislature of 1915
69
rare judgment and as a public serv- ant he has acted in a most creditable manner which could not have been but a credit and honor to his constit- uents. In fact, many of his friends see in him a strong gubernatorial candidate to head the Republican party in 1916.
land Academy and president of the People's Trust Company. He has been commissioned on several occa- sions to represent the town in affairs of state, being a member of the legislature in 1875-76 and 1913 and delegate to the Constitutional Con- vention in 1912. On December 11,
Thomas P. Waterman's popularity as a candidate for the House of Repre- sentatives from the town of Lebanon is well attested by the fact that he received more votes than any of the other nine Candidates. Although his voice is seldom heard on the floor in debate, he is faithful in attendance and is careful to throughly under- stand every measure before he is called upon to vote. He is a member of the House committee on Banks.
Mr. Waterman, a descendant of Silas Waterman, one of the first set- tlers of Lebanon, was born in that town on December 10, 1843, the son of Silas and Sarah (Wood) Waterman. He was educated at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, and has been engaged in the manufacture of lum- ber all of his life. He is a Congrega- tionalist and among the fraternal orders with which he is affiliated are: Masons, Lebanon Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, the Mascoma Valley Po- mona Grange and the Langdon Club of Lebanon.
He has always taken the greatest interest in the town of his birth, hav- ing served as selectman for fifteen years, chairman of the school board for three years, public library trustee, chairman of the trustees of the Rock-
Thomas P. Waterman
1886, Mr. Waterman was united in marriage with Miss Rosamond Wood. Although a man of advanced years, Mr. Waterman has kept fully abreast of the spirit of the times and was glad to register his vote in the House in favor of the abolishment of capital punishment, the prohibition measure and woman's suffrage.
THE LIBBY MUSEUM OF WOLFEBORO
On the shore of Tuftonboro Bay in Lake Winnipesaukee, there stands a unique institution. The thought of establishing the museum at Wolfe-
Dr. Henry F. Libby
boro has been maturing since 1900. The structure is of concrete, 120 feet long by 40 feet in width.
Few New England communities can boast as complete an institution for the preservation, study and perpetua- tion of the flowers and native animals of the Northland as is possessed by the little town of Wolfeboro, N. H., where the Libby Museum has been built and maintained by Dr. Henry F. Libby, who is retiring from the practice of dentistry at 366 Common- wealth Avenue, Boston that he may follow more closely his lifelong interest in natural history. Inside the mu- seum there is already a remarkable collection of birds, animals, insects, and the vegetable specimens of the region. Doctor Libby has discovered a new method of mounting the smaller
objects which is a distinct improve- ment over the old ones. This in- vention has been adopted by Har- vard University for mounting the Blaschka Glass flower models. The chief characteristic of this mount is that it will not shrink, swell or dis- color. It is absolutely white and is- homogenous, having an egg-shell gloss. Specimens may be wired upon it with ease, such as minerals, grasses, flowers and even feathers. Last but not least of its merits is in the use of a common lead pencil for writing any text or classification that is required. All errors in spelling or wording may be corrected by erasing the markings with a penknife, or any change may be made without injury to the mount. The graphite of the pencil becomes absolutely permanent, as has been proven during the last eighteen years. Another invention is a sealed, glass cylinder, for holding bird skins, which promises to preserve the color of the skins, and keep them absolutely safe from parasites, but the most valuable advantage would be for school pur- poses, as the cylinders could be handled, without injury.
The museum is designed primarily
Dr. Libby's Museum
to show the fauna and flora of New Hampshire. The space is not too small in this building for the complete fulfilment of the purpose. There is
The Libby Museum of Wolfeboro
71
plenty of space for such progressive changes as may seem expedient in the future. A small arboretum is under way, also as a corollary to the main enterprise, intended for trees indigenous to New Hampshire. There are several acres of ground about the museum, and a clearing has been made for the planting of new trees and shrubs. One tract is stocked with white pine seedlings, of which 24,000 have been planted in the last eight years. The collector is in- terested in the promotion of forestry study.
During the last two years Doctor Libby has been making an exhaustive study of comparative animal appen- dices and comparative dentition. The purpose of this study, has been to learn what are nature's efforts in
maintaining or eliminating the appen- dix and needless teeth by specimens of herbivorous, carnivorous and hu- man types, and he is well prepared to illustrate the needs or uselessness of these organs. In association with other progressive movements he has deemed it wise to open the museum and its grounds free to the public, without the care of a custodian, as he has unbounded faith in the honesty of humanity.
Doctor Libby is a Bostonian by adoption. He was born in Tufton- boro, and had his first apprenticeship in dentistry at Wolfeboro. Later he went to the Harvard Dental School. He bought the Wolfeboro estate in 1881 where he now resides. He is a member of the present legislature from Wolfeboro.
"THOU SHALT NOT KILL"
By Stewart Everett Rowe
As through this changeful world we live our day,
In gladness, sadness, doubts and fears and tears, One friend is always near to lead the way,
And stand by us through all the passing years. The Bible is that friend, that friend in need,
That on all things has something good to say, Something that is the rarest gem, indeed,
That ever sparkled in the light of day.
"Thou Shalt Not Kill" — It speaks in accents thrilled,
Yet in all ages and in all earth's lands, Warm, human blood has countless times been spilled,
By brutal, cold, relentless human hands. And e'en the law, so upright and so just,
Has many times ignored the Bible's cry, And bent itself, as would one filled with lust,
When it has told a human life to die.
Oh, man!