Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-10-19

that the debtor, when unable TO procure bail,
on mesne process, might demand trial forh-
with, or be permitted, before the proper au-
thority, to make his disclosure and exoncrato
his body from imprisonment?
AS civilization has advanced and the DIFF !
fcrent grades OF crime have been defined with |
moro certainty, tho rigor Of punishment has
been losscned. All experience shows that
crime has not increased, but diminished, rs
tho criminal laws Of a country have become
less barbarous and vindictivc. Rotaliatoly
punisbmonts have in measure ceased, and
the only sound and substantial reasons for the
inflicton of punishment are based upon the
tho reformation of the criminal and the secu.
rty of the public. That is evidently the poll
cy ofour laws in all cases except in the inhc.
ton of tho punishment of death. Tho right
TO infict capital punishment is conscen-
tiously doubted by many of our ntelli.
gent and ph,anthropic fellow citizens.
That number is constantly increasing.
The right to destroy life, it is argued, does
not belong to an individual, aud conse
quently could not be transferred to govern
ment, on the formation Of the social com
pact. Be that as it may, still it is feared
that the ends of public justice, may in some
cases, fail to be answered; that jurors may
when empannelled for the trial of capital
offences, in some instances, be Influenced
to clear the guilty, by the consideration
that verdict Of guilty would result in the
death Of fellow being. The moral inhu-
ence upon society, Of inflcting punishment
to deter from the commission Of crime, does
not go much depend upon it's severity, as
upon its certainty.
This is subject upon which strong feel.
lngs and prcjudlces are known to exist, and
om induced to present 1t for your cousid-
GRAFTON from the fact that where convictions
have recently been had in the state, a
strong expression Of public opinion has
been put forth to arrest the arm Of the law,
and has seemed to demand Communication
or mitigation of the punishment. II, on
examination Of the subject, you should not
come to the conclusion that it is expedient
to abolish capital punishment entirely, yet
lit is respectfully submitted whether the
demoraIzng effects of public executions
would not, TO some extent, be avoided. by
providing that all executions should take
place within the walls of the prison.
In former communications to the General
Assembly the Importance of geological
survey of the State has been urged upon
their consideration. The reports and opn-
ions Of committees upon the subject have
been, without exception, favorable to the
enterprise. The report Of The committee
to whom the subject was referred at the
last session, together with several accom-.
panying communications, containing much
useful information upon the subject have
been published in our journals, and very
lgeneral|y circulated throughout the state
1t is known to all, whose attention has beer
drawn to the subject. that our mountains
and soil indicate on abundance of mnera
wealth, which systematic and thorough
examination can scarcely fail 10 unfold
A careful analysis Of the great variety o.
soils. spread over The surface of our state
, must also result in the discovery Of many
: substances Of highly fertilizing quality
= inevitably adding 10 the prosperity of ogri
culture, the great ond leading interest o
Q our state. With few EXCEPTIONS, our sis
D ter states have undertaken examinations o
r this character with the most favorable re
\ suits 1t is our true policy to adopt suci
D measures as will foster the industry Of on
: citizens, encourage the commencement O
new branches Of profitable employment, b,
developing the natural, mineral and agri
cultural resources Of the country. and thus
placing within the reach Of the young an
n ardent reasonable prospect Of compc,enc
: and weal,h--check the tide Of emigration
# which is constantly draining US Of YER
If desirable as well as enterprlslng portion O
n onr population.
!. Our State House ia understood 10 b
G fully completed and furnished in accordnnc
e with the original plan. For sodi,y
IS strength, symmetry, style and adaptation
v to the purposes for which it was erected
!. it is believed not to be surpassed by an
O structure of the kind in the Union. Tn
Q building itself is the best commentator O
a the architect. The peculiar circumstance
y under which the work was commenced an
e prosecuted, against the expressed wishe
e of strong minority in the Legislature
n together with the fact hat the expense c
IS the building has far exceeded the estmal c
,e Of the locating committee have led 10 fire.
g. quent enquiries into the manner in whlc
II it has been conducted; and the additions
ID fact that committees. raised under thos
20 circumstances. have found no cause c
y censure, ihs'andDg their dlssalsfac
,. ton with The location and expensive slyl
% of the building, is the best guarantee {
I, the capacity, integrity and falhiulness {
" those under whose superin'e ndence III
It work has been prosecuted. The appropr
,e atoms for this object have amounted t
% Sl33, 500 including $4,000 paid by the il
habllants of Montpelier, of which, am il
cs formed, small balance remains unexper
ded. Mr.. Young has apprlsed me that b
~ will attend early in the session for the flint
:" adjustment Of his accounts.
The Disturbances which have recent
~, 80 taken place in the neighboring Province {
y Canada have caused much eXciiemer
:" among nOrtlnn of our citizens Men {