Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-10-20
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Felioto Citizens Of the Senate
mud Ho,,se of Re0rps on fnfss,es I.


Again il becomes my duty TO address you our
public concerns Our official duties various and
responsible and shall best subserve the object of
our appointment and most effectually promote the
prosperity OF our country by an honest, faithful and
wise discharge of them All legislation having in
view the virtue and permanent happiness of the peo
pie, will ultimately result in the common welfare.
Under our happy form of government, the rights of
the humbes citizen are as sacredy secured as those
Of the most favored; and every act which shall unne-
| cessariy limit or abridge those rights is positive
contraventon of the letter Of constitution and in
direct violation Of the spirit Of civil institutions
To encourage the practice Of virtue to prevent the
commission crime to foster the interests Of educa-
tion to promote the industry and Improvement Of the
country and protect the personal liberty and rights
OF our citizens are among our legitimate and proper
In popular governments law depends for its efIica-
cy mainly, upon the convictions Of the people of its
necessity and expedency. Without public opinion
in its favor legislative enactment becomes dead let
ter upon statute book and is not only dsre
OF itself but in some measure weakens the force Of
salutary and necessary laws and consequently less
ems the respect paid to them; We ought therefore,
to pause and examine with great caution before A.
DOPING propositions for altering the principles or
details Of laws which have received a judicial con-
sruciion and with whose provisions the people have
| become familiar.
| The very careful revision Of our laws at the last
session Of the General Assembly, brought under ex-
animation the most important provisions of our stat
ute law. Time has scarcely been afforded since its
PRONUNCIATION, TO test the operation OF the various
notifications and amendments therein int reduced
and the necessity Of any immediate alteration will
doubtless be obvious and plain, before you will feel
called upon TO make IT,
| Our revenue, derived almost entirely from dircc,
tax on the people presents constant admonition 10
irugaty and economy in expenditure and should
lead 10 frequent inquiry into the operal ion of our sys-
ten oftaxation. This system is based:mainly on in
Gomez and it is due to those who delfay the expenses
of government that all productive property and prof
table pursuits, should bear their relative proportion
| OF the public burden
| From frequent applications to me for the remission
of small fines, Imposed by the County Courts for as
sault nd battery, aud other breachesFof the peace
have been led TO the inquiry whether an alteration ia
the law ON that subject might considerable
To The State, without weakening the claims Of
justice or essening public security. Judging Of the
character Of the offences by the amount Of the 6Bes
imposed the presumption Is strong that respondenis
/ m cases, have been bound over to tile County
Court by justices Ofne peace account of the
inability Of the offender to pay ue and costs where
| the town IN which ;he offence was committed might
have hnd an interest than by OF the enornty
OF the offence In a majority of cases presented for
tho exercise Of executive clemeney the fine has been
tive or ten dollars, with costs varying from fifteen
Ss1iy. Nor ID the payment Of bills Of cost
The whole charge the State. Respondents, in cases
Of this character, being usually irresponsible aud
able 10 procure bail consequently confined in Jail
and the State charged with their support State
prlsooeis. On conviction, sentence 10 pay fine oil
lew dollars aud costs Of prescott fopefates az So
yerely perpetual imprisonment 70 the ofe nder and
perPeual charge TO the State for his support unesi
relieved by eIecutiSe Interference II no other al
tsratien should lie deemed sipedent II would better
Accord with the humane spit Of our laws 10 provide
thai The sentence in such cases should be in the al
hrnatise, either fine or imprisonment for limited
time, when the hne 10 not paid But would te,pect
fui suggest AZ worthy u inquiry, whether reined,
"'vh H"' lie fouad by providing thai, conviction