Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-11-03
VERMONT LEGISLATURE.
From Waltons' Daily Journal.
Thursday, Oct 81, 4. NJ

Thursday, Oct Il, A. WI.
SENATE.-The chair announced the
appointment ofthe following committees. {:
On the abduction of Grogan-Messrs.
Sowles, Eaton of w, Sheldon.
Ga Virginia observation-disclosures. Bart
lett, Bottum, Swift.
On Indiana Resolutions relative to uni
form day to elect President and V. Pres
ident throughout the Union - Messrs
Russell, ellison, Fletcher.
On memorial of Ferris burgh Quaiterl y
meeting and petition Of Norris Day and
others-Messrs. Eaton of W., Wooster,
Fisk.
MIR. Eaton of w. presented the petition
of Norris Day and others, and the memor-
ial of Ferrisburgh quarterly meeting,
PRAYING for the Adjustment of capita!
punishment, which were read, aud on no
ton of Mr.. Eaton referred to select com
smittee of three.
Thursday Oct Fl. A. N.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Pett-
tions. Of Enoch Hebard aud others, re-
ferred 10 judiciary committee.
Bill passed To pay Abel Drury $500
for house burnt while occupied by VI.
militia on the northern frontier.
-. 2 G'cloek, p. III.
SENATE.-Report-By Mr.. Norton,
against taxing wood and timber lands.
Mr.. Wooster explained the reasons which
induced him TO offer the resolution upon
which the report had been made. The
time had been when wood and timber land
were regarded as of little value, and were
not put into the list for taxation; now,
! wood and timber land were Of most value,
and should, as he believed, be taxed ac-
cording to their real value; report &C
cepted. .:..
Eng. BW.-In alteration Of chap. l04
of the revised statutes, providing for the
election of chaplain of the Vermont State
Prison by the Legislature, taken up,
when Mr.. Clark opposed the passage
of the bill on the ground that the
government of the prison:o be eftectual
must be somewhat arbitrary. The super.
intendent, from the nature of his office and
duties, could best Judge of the necessary
qualifications of chaplain for such an In
stilution. If the superintendent mlsIudg-
ed or abused his authority, the remedy
was in the Legislature, who appointed
him, and whose responsible agent he was.
Mr.. Clark moved that the bill be indefin-
itely postponed.
Mr.. Boltum hoped the bill would not
be so postponeds The chaplain was
salary officer, his duties very important.
The prisoners had rights, though, not the
blessings of liberty. If outcasts. they
needed moral and religious instruction.
Mr.. Clark withdrew the motion of in
definite postponement, when MIR. DiIing-
ham advocated the passage of the bill.
The duties of chaplain were entirely
different from other officers or servants oil
the prison. His duties were those Of in
telIeclual, moral and religious instruction,
10 prepare the prisoners to be better cltl-
zeus when again taey return 10 society
The object was reformation OF persons
from bad TO better citizens. The Chap
lain, if properly discharging his duties
becomes the peculiar and loved friend O
the prisoner, in whom they confde, te
whom they unbosom their feelings A
: chaplain thus performing his duties, anc
twining himself around the feelings of tn.
convict. should not be exposed to remova
al the caprice of any one man. All met
were liable TO err in comforting patronage
! both from interested and o,her motives
He mad no charges of wrong doing t
make against any superintendent. HI
: would pass the bill from Conviction q
the fitness of il-not from any charge
that wrong had been done, or expectation
that it would be. Were he going 10 b
superintedent himself, he would ask 70
the passage of the bill. and what he woul
ask for himself he would give to anotheF
Mr. Dana regarded the Office of Chap
: lain as an extremely important one; an
going to The Prison with his appointment
from the Legislature, he would be enables
j TO exert an influence more salutary, thai
u appointed by the superintendent agains
wnom many of the prisoners might hav
e a strong prejudice.
>, Mr.: Clark gave his reasons at large 70
opposing the BILL. Placing Two officer
d in the prison, with distinct and difTeren
!. duties TO perform. if not goyernmen
/ within government iyht be two cor
4. flicling governments in the same insti,u
. ton. He was much in favor of the ar
!, pointmerlt of a Chaplain, but he wishe
!. the power of appointment placed wher
the opportunities of jndging Of his hlnes