125 Years Ago

The Northfield News

December 24, 1884 3 cents a copy/ $1.50 a year

Geo. H Richmond, editor

The humane lawyers of the State express deep regret that the last legislature should have taken a step backward by passing an act which permits a laboring man's wages above five dollars to be trusted for debt. The old law permitted a man's wages above ten dollars to be attached and was narrow enough limit in all conscience when we consider that when a person holding real estate and personal property is proceeded against for debt the total exemption from attachment is about a thousand dollars. There is the homestead exemption, a span of horses, a certain number of cattle and sheep, &c. &c., the total value of which cannot fall short of the amount named. But when the law touches the laboring man, who is sailing close to the wind always in the best of times, it deals with him in a spirit of justice that is as savage as Shylock, and as sharp as the knife he whetted to take his pound of flesh. Lieut-Governor Ormsbee informs us that all the lawyers in the State united in opposing this harsh enactment, saying that it was inhuman and against the best sentiment of our State; a step to the rear; a narrow-minded oppressive measure.

Mr. Ide of St. Johnsbury, vigorously protested against its passage, saying that the leading merchants of his acquaintance, so far from wishing for a measure of this sort believed it would be altogether better, if there was no law for trusteeing wages in existence...When we remember how short a term of sickness it takes, how few weeks' of idleness, to throw an honest workman behind, it is outrageous not to give him a breathing spell for recovery. The law now gives the largest measure of exemption to the debtor least entitled to consideration, while the day-laborer, who needs and deserves the most generous treatment is tortured with a thumb screw until he drops his last shilling. It is an infernal shame; a disgrace to the narrow mind that devised it and pushed it through the legislature... the act we refer to was born of ignorance, inhumanity and avarice...it is a disgrace to the statute book, both in letter and spirit.

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The annual business meeting and reunion of the veterans who served under Phil Sheridan in his famous Shenandoah valley campaign of 1864 was held at the Quincy House , Boston, last week...The next excursion...will leave Boston Sept. 15, and occupy a trifle more than eight days. A permanent camp will be established on the battlefield of Winchester in the Shenandoah valley. From there excursion trains will be run to the battlefields of Cedar creek, Fisher's hill, Newmarket, to Harrisonburg, 100 miles up the valley, to Harper's Ferry and to the celebrated Luray caverns.

100 Years Ago

The Northfield News

December 28, 1909

3 cents a copy/$1.25 year

Fred N. Whitney, editor

The recommendation of President Taft that government employees, who have passed their usefulness, be retired on a pension will hardly strike a responsive chord among thrifty New Englanders, at least. These government employees are perhaps better paid than any other class of people of a similar grade of ability. They work shorter hours and live, in many respects, in the most delightful surroundings. Of course in might be an economical way for the time being to get rid of employees who, for one reason or another, have become inefficient, but some less dangerous course should be devised, unless it is the purpose of the government to eventually establish an old age pension for all classes of people. There is no more reason why the government employee should not save a competence for old age than the clerks in all other lines of business.

75 Years Ago NEWS AND ADVERTISER

December 27, 1934

5 cents a copy, $2 a year

John E. Mazuzan, Editor

A new plan for providing state aid to schools based on the education burden each town faces plus its ability to meet it, [and] drastic reductions in state appropriations for higher education... are among the recommendations contained in the report of the special commission appointed by Gov. Stanley C. Wilson to consider whether Vermont's existing educational system fulfills constitutional requirements as to equal opportunities and advantage...Vermont devotes 14.9 per cent of its total appropriation for education to colleges and universities not under State control, whereas the State closest to this proportion is Louisiana with 9.9 per cent..."this means curtailing the program for 66,000 public school children..." the report...recommends...that the next legislature "seriously consider the wisdom of radically reducing the appropriation for higher institutions of learning."... the commission also proposes that the State increase its share of the total school cost. It points out that under the present system towns best able to provide support for education are in a position to get the most aid from the state, and proposes a substitute the minimum program method based on wealth per pupil.

50 Years Ago

NEWS AND ADVERTISER

December 31, 1959

5 cents a copy, $2 a year

John E. Mazuzan, editor

The Burning of the Greens on the Twelfth Night of Christmas is a symbolic, colorful, and practical custom which, I am told, used to be observed in the locality. It makes a practical disposal of potentially-hazardous, dried out Christmas trees. A bonfire is colorful and interesting to most of us; this one marks the end of the Christmas season in the ordered progress of the church year. Arrangements have been made for the Burning of the Greens this next Twelfth Night (Wednesday, Jan. 6) at the lot north of the Rabbit Hollow Knitting Co. plant on North Main. The Village Fire Department will stand by. Someone will be on hand to keep the size of the fire within bounds and to be sure that it is safely out. Greens may be brought any time during the afternoon; the fire will be lighted at 4 p.m.

25 Years Ago

NORTHFIELD NEWS

December 27, 1984 25 cents a copy, $2 a year

Erik Nelson, editor

Short compositions and poems written by the students of Jeanne Franzeim, a 2nd grade teacher in Northfield Elementary School. "IF I WERE IN CHARGE OF THE WORLD"

If I were in charge of the world everyone would be nice. Everyone would be happy. There would be free toys for kids. Jesse Covey, Grade 2

If I were in charge of the world I would be a king or an army man. I want to be boss. Babak Mokhtari, Grade 2

If I were in charge of the world I would cancel school, marry Jason, and live in a palace. Katherine Stevens, Grade 2

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National Education Secretary T.H. Bell recently released figures which show that of students planning on attending college, Vermonters ranked third highest (behind New Hampshire and Minnesota) in the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Vermont placed 23rd in amount of money spent per student on education.

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The Northfield Board of School Directors approved a $2,365,410 budget during a special meeting held Dec. 18... The new budget...reflects about an eight percent increase...Tax generated funds are budgeted at...a 24.8 percent increase over this year's. General state aid is...only about a one percent rise.