Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-10-20

OF the great national family. il is our right.
our duty to express our convictions on the
subject
Il will be recollected that a revision Of
oir militia laws was earnestly urged upon
the consideration OF the last legislnture.---
Another years experience must have served
to convince, IL anything were wanting. all
whose attention has been drawn 10 the sub
iec,, OF their utter ineficiency to secure the
objects they were designed to accomplish
Although | am giati6ed in being able TO
say that there are some honorable excep-
lions; yet upon the whole. il is. believed,
subordinaiion and discipline have been upon
the reirograde for several years past. Are
not our militia laws wrong in principle p
If those patriots and benefactors who laid
the foundations for our free institutions were
not mistaken when they said. "A well regu-
lated militia is necessary TO the security Of
free State" no good reason can be urged
why the burthens and expense OF the sys-
tenn should not reach every individual, by
whom the benefits Of the system are en-
joyed.
The exemption OF the polls Of those en-
rolled in the militia from a portion OF the
annual taxes, is scarcely an equivalent for
keeping in their possession and IN repair,
the arms and equipments required by law;
consequently all the lime spent in obtaining
that instruction and organization necessary
10 render the militia efficient, is an unjust
tax levied upon those individuals who can
not through avoritism or some other means,
obtain discharge from enrolment The
efiec, Of this nantes, injustice in The opera
ton Of our laws. has been greatly to increase
the number OF exempts. and TO render those
who could no, obtain discharges, impa,ien,
aud dissatisfied under the restraints and bur-
thens 10 which they were subjected
Another evil which is deemed subversive
Of discipline and good order among our mi
lila. is the manner now provided By law for
the enforcement OF the rules and regulations
governing the same. and the collection Of
fines for dclinqucnces. Should oil qucs-
tons OF this nature be referred TO a board
composed Of commissioned officers, detailed
for tina, service from each regiment or brig
ade, to whom all delinqueneies should be
reported BY the several commandants OF
companies. II would s,cure an uniformity in
decisions. which is very desirable.
The law Of the last session authorizing
several pieces OF ordnance, for distribution
10 newly organized companies Of artillery.
has not been complied with. II was ascer-
tanned that two companies. TO whom cannon
and apparatus we're distributed under The
law Of 1927. had some time since been dis
banded. and consequently, the pieces and
apparatus were liable to 60 to decay. not be-
ing in the care or custody Of any person
feeling an interest in their preservation
Orders have been given TO the companies
recently raised in Stow and Morristown, TO
ake possession Of those pieces
Information has been received from the
officer in command at the United States
Arsenal at Vergennes. that the arms belong.
ing to this State. deposited there. are in a
bad condition. and beginning 10 corrodr-
That being the case, economy would die
tate small appropriation TO enable the Quar-.
Master General 10 have them examined,
cleaned, aud put in a good state for prcser-
walton.
In compliance with a resolution Of the
Senate. passed at its las, session. requesting
me 10 procure an estimate OF the probable
expense of geological and Typographical
survey Of the State. have addressed several
scientific gentlemen upon the subject. the
result OF which correspondence will be laid
before you alta proper time
Accident and the unaided enterprise Of in.
dividuals. have developed many sources of
wealth. in the mineral treasures OF our
mountains
From what has already been brough, to
light by these means, we are fully warrant
ed in presumIng that, IL the aids OF science
should be brought TO bear upon the subject.
under the patronage Of the State, and a
thorough examination were had, with
view TO its practical utility, important dis.
coveries would be made, highly beneficial 10
the State. A spirit of scientific research
would take the place OF pretended knowledge
IN the ART Of searching for valuable minera!
substances, and our citizens saved from the
frnitless expenditure Of much time and mon
ey. Surveys OF similar character have
been prosecuted in several OF the neighbor-
ing States and are believed to have produ-
ced the most satisfactory results
This is an object Intimately connected
with the prosperity and best interests of this
State, and Il is recommended that measures
be taken for its early accomplishment IT.
its consequences should be such as are an
ticipated. il could not fail OF affording profit
nble employment to many Of our worthy
citizens, who would otherwise leave the soil
Of their birth. to people the more fertile re-
gions Of the west
The advantage Of a Typographical sur
yey OF the State. may not. TO a superficial OBJ
server be- very NINA rent hu, sill rho ,;rna ;s