The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-10-23

As civilization has advanced and the different
grades of crime nave been defined with more
certainty. the rigor of punishment has been les
sened. All experience shows that crime has
MOI Increased, but diminished, as the crimina
| laws of country have become less barbarous
and vindctive. Reralatory punishments have
in great measure ceased and the only sound
and substantial reasons for the infection of pun
ishnent are based upon the reformation of the
criminal and the security ..of the public. Thai
is evidently the policy of our laws in all cases
except in the infection of the puu shlnent OF
death. The right to inflict capital punishment
is consceniousIy doubted by many of our intel.
ligent and phanlropic fellow. citizens. That
number is constantly increasing. The right tu
destroy life, it is argued, does not belong an
individual, and, consequently conhls not be
transferred to government, on the formation OF
the social compact BE that as it may sill it is
feared that the ends of public Justice, may il.
some cases, fail to lie answered; that Jurors may
when empanneed for The trial of capital often
ces, in some instances, he influenced to clear the
guilty. by the consideration that Il verdict OF
gniy would result in the dealt, OF fellow being
The moral influence upon society, Of iniicting
punishment to deter from the commission OF
crime does not so much depend upon its severi.
~, rs upon lis certainty.
This is II subject upon which strong feelings
and prcIudces are known to exist, and am in
duccd to present it for your consideration from
the fact that where convictions have recently
been had in the state, strong expression of pub
lie opinion has been put forth to arrest the arm
of the law, and has seemed TO demand com
mutation or mitigation of lhe punishment. IT.,
on examination Of the subject, you should not
come TO the conclusion that it is eXpedicnt to a.
hol;Sil capital punishment entirely, yet it is re-
specttuy submitted whether the demoraliZng
effects of public executions would NOT, TO some
extent, he avoided, Ivy providing that al eXecu-
S)OuI talk ~ tLa of he
prison.
In former communications TO the General As.
sembly the importance of Il geological survey
of the State has been urged upon their consider
alton. The reports and opinions of committees
upon the subject have been. without exception,
favorable 10 the enterprise. The report of the
committee, TO whom the subject was referred at
the last session, together with several accom-
panylng communications containing much use.
inl information upon the snhject, have been pub
lished IN our Journals, and very generally circu-
lated through the state. 1t is known to all, whose
attention has been drawn to the subject, that our
mountains and soil Indicate nm abundance OF
mineral wealth, which systematic and thorough
examination can scarcely fail to unfold. A
careful analysis Of the great variety of soils
spread over the surface of our state, must also
result in the discovery Of many substances of n
highly fertilzng quality, inevitably adding TO
the prosperity Of agriculture, the great and lead.
ing interest of our State. With few excep-
tons orr sister states have undertaken exam
NATIONS OF this character with the most favora-
BILE results. IL is our true policy adopt such
measures as viii foster the industry of our cit-
Zens, encourage the commencement of new
branches of profitable employ by develop
ing the natural, mineral agricultural resources
of the country and thus, placing within the reach
OF the young ana ardent Il reasonable prospect
Of competence and weath--check the tide Of
emigration which is constantly draining us Of Il
very desirable rs well us enterprising portion of
our population.
Our Sate House is understood to be fully
and furnished in accordance with
he original plan. For soidty, strength, sym.
merry, style md adaptation 10 the purposes for
which 1t was erected, it is believed not TO be
by any structure of the kind in the
Union. The building itself is the hes, comrnen-
lation of the architect. The peculiar circum- !
stances under which The work was commenced
md prosecuted, against the expressed wishes of
. strong minority in the Legislature, together
With the fact that the expense of the building
has far exceeded the estimates of HE locating
committee, have led TO frequent enquiries i,uo
lie manner in which it has been conducted -
md the additional fact that committees, raised
inder those circumstances, have found no ratise
II rcnsure, Notwithstanding their dissatisfaction,
With the location and expensive style Of the
building, is the best guarantee of tie capacity,
integrity and falthfun ~ of those under whose
III.
The appropriations for This "hjer, have amount,
I'd to $1335O0, including $4,000 paid Ivy the
Inhabitants of Montpelier, OF which, am inform
ri, II small balance remains uneXpendeH. Mr.. |
I Dung has appraised me that he will attend early |
n the session for the final adjustments OF his az
counts.
The disturbances which have recently taken
''ace in the neighborng Provinces of Canada
ave caused much eXcitment among Il portion |
If our citizens. Men OF the best feelings and
much moral worth participated largely in their
with tn use whom they deemed OPP
pressed. This state of things was to have been
expected. Our institutions, habits and educa-
ion lead to that result. Under this excited state
If public feeling, many WHO were entrusted with
he discharge of ofcnl duties unjusty |
raduced. The measures, which sense of du
Y ilnpelled me to adopt, are known 10 my fellow
,itiZcns. Relying upon their Intelligence and
,andor, and conscious of the purity of my inten-
ions, can hardly feel anxious for the result.
In compliance with joint resolution of the
ast General Assembly, requesting me to appoint