Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-10-21
normous burthen of the three cent school


tax.
A revision of the entire code of our mill
litia laws is most earnestly called for;-
repeated additions aud alterations have 80
far obscnrcd their meaning and diminished
their effect, that they are known, in some
instances TO have entirely failed OF accom-
pshlng the objects for which they were
enacted. They are expensive and unequal
| in their operation, and perfectly inefficient
so far as subordination and discipline are
concerned \ well disciplined militia has
| ever been considered the sutest safeguard
| in a free government, and will deserve oil
the commentator which has been bestow-
ed upon it'll is earnestly hoped that the
Legislature will be disposed to give TO the
subject that consideration which its lmpor
lance demands.
In progress of the session your attention
may be called to the consideration of the
laws relating to Imprisonment for debit
Within few years they have been shorn
of much of their severity.
Should the Legislature, however, deem
1t eXpedlent to abolish or change our pres
ent system, rigorous measures ought 10 be
adopted for the prevention of fraud land
while the rights Of the really poor debtor
are provided for by the humane policy OF
our laws, the rights of the honest, and, in
many instances, poor, creditor should be Sc
cured by the terrors of criminal punishment.
The pursuits of our people are, ut pres
ent. ESSENTIALLY agricultural, and being such
we must, in some measure, remain Deepen.
dent for many of the necessaries and luXu-
res of life, as well as for a market for the
surplus products of our soil. But, from The
enterprizlng spirit manifested by many Of
our citizens, for few years past, it is very
apparent that we are destined at no distant
period, to become also n manufacturing
people. The facilities afforded for propel-
ling machinery in the immense water
power every where Astounding throughout
our territory, the inexhauslible mineral
wealth of our mountains, together with our
cheapness Of living, will, unnless discour-
aged by narrow and Liberal course of
legislation, present such inducements to
our citizens and to foreign capitalists as to
lead them TO increase their investments in
manufacturing establishments, and thereby
secure to the cultivator Of the soil, more
certain and uniform reward for his industry.
Although adequate protection for our man.
ufacturlng interests cannot be afforded by
any legislative action OF ours, still we may,
and perhaps ought, on all suitable occasions,
to express our convictions, that the general
government will lend its aid.
In connection with the interests of agr.
culture and manufactures, perhaps | may
be permitted the inquiry whether public
opinion does not point too plainly to be
misunderstood, to the necessity of com
mencng, at some period, improvements in
our facilities Of communication, worlhy'the
State and the age in which we live.
Satisfied, as am, that it is only ques
ton of time when the State shall step for
ward and do something TO encourage this
great work, submit to the wisdom of the
Legislature whether the time has not al
ready arrived, beyond which it would be
derellclion of duty, and disregard TO the
prosperity and best interests of the people
of our State to postpone the lncpient
measures Of some system of internal m-
provement ;--whethcr The Legislature will
not cause surveys to be made-at the pub.
lie expense-of some flhe leading routes
with particular and accurate estimates of
the expense, and the probable amount Of
business which might be done npon them.
| am not so visionary as to suppose that
with the present resources of our Govorn>
ment this State will undertake, like some OF
our sister Safes, any gigantic system of
internal lmprovement--Bu after a thor.
Dug h examination of The several projects.
with careful estimates Of their expense and
probable income, is it unreasonable to be-
lleve that some of those routes may not be
found feasible, and afford reasonable pros
poets Of profit, and that the energies Of our
own citizens may not thus be aroused TO
attempt and accomplish some one of them'
10 one who has attentively surveyed the
march OF Improvement in our sister States,
who has seen their canals and rail roads
formed as by magic. while no attempt has
been made TO improve the facilities of com
muncation in our own State, the cause of
the daily drain of wealth, and, OF what is
OF intellectually greater importance to any
community, the Unprecedented emigration
of our best and most industrious citizens, is
not predetermined.
by the provision of the act Of Congress
OF the last session, entitled ''an act TO reg
ulate the deposites Of the public money!" it
viii become the duty ofthe Legislature to
provide by law some means to enable the
Treasurer to receive, on depostc, the
amount which, by terms of the act will be
due this State. 1t is the money of the
people and it is hardly to be supposed, when
once distributed to the severa! states, That
the cXigencles of the General Governmet
will soon, if ever, demand Its repayment. -
The provisions OF this act are deemed wise
and saluary. The unexpected and rapid
accumulation Of money in the national
Treasury, the evil of placing at the dispose
OF government too much of the wealth OF
the nation combine to render such dislribu
lion necessary.
| would not be understood, as being dcs,
rous or willing to place the principal Of this
lund, beyond The control of any future Leg
lsIature. The principal so long as it re-
mains at the disposal Of this State should
be kept an nvioiable fund. The income
OnlY. which. 10 all inlenis Is The nrnnerly