Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-10-19
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

FeHou CUiSens Of The Senate and
ofhe House Of Represenfaiirssi
FRS, OF ALL as IL becomes the agents of religious
people. let US publicly acknowl ledge the Divine
goodness in continuing unto Us our liberties,
state, and as nation; for the good measure OF
health enjoyed by the people of this commonwealth
and for the abundant productions of tho earth; and
we ask wisdom from above that we may ftly per-
form the duties for Which we are assembled.
The legislature OF this stale has generally been
characterized by so much prudence and intelligence
that any advice caution by me, OF a general ma
ture, would be quite supcrfuous.
The condition of the inhabitants Of this state il,
upon The whole. probably good as that of any
other people. We are an intelligent, moral and
law abiding people; we have institutions, securing
the liberty and rights of the citizens; have a fer
lille soil, heal,hiul and nvigorating climate, and
industrious habits, which enables us 10 surpass any
other state in the Union. according our popula-
ton. in the value OF our agricultural productions.
The subject of Education in all its branches, is
Of such vital importance to n free people, SO init
maiely connected with the individual welfare Of the
members of a state, and indispensable To the verv
existence of the blessings flowing from free nstltu
lions and representative govefnme nis, that it is not
SUI ptising that it should annually have a;uGtt d
the attention Of both the Legislative and Executive
departments.
Common school education is perhaps as general
y dused among all classes of people in this state
as among any other community IN the United States
OF elseWneeTe YET Inc system now IN operation
far from realizing all the advantages which ought to
be expected from it, ], is doubtless susceptible of
great improvements; and the efforts which have
been made in several OF our sister states, within
few years, TO investigate and obviae numerous evils.
and to introduce greater degreee ofunlormy and
more efficiency in common school instruction. have
! not been without their beneficial influence. Let us
profit by the example Of Others
Valuable suggestions on this subject are contain
ed in successive reports made by legislative com
mitees, during the two past years. Our higher in
siitutons of learning connected intimately, as they
are, with our common schools. and excrtinq a i'm
mense influence upon the intellectual condition OF
our citizens, ought to receive the fostering Of
the Legislature. No system would be perfect which
should exclude these from consideration Whether
the creation of Board of Education, with the DOW
ets and duties contemplated in the legislative report
o last year, will not prepare the way for the intro
duction OF great Improvements, is submitted for
your mature consideration.
| The Militia, without which there would be no
safety to our government or country, are apt
receive an annual compliment and then be neglect
ed. Whether The law for the improvement Of their
condition. which had been prepared with great care
and passed at the last session. will prove useful and
satisfactory TO that numerous and patriotic body OF
citizen soldiers, for whose regulation and benefit il
was mace, am not able at present to determine !;
and perhaTs there has not been sufficient time
since the passage Of the act TO test lis uiy
ny an act passed al The last session, relating TO
Capital Punishment it is directed that if any person
shall commit any crime, which by the law Of this
state is punishable with DEATH sus person shall be
sentenced to solitary confinement in The states prs
on. until the punishment of death shall be inflicted :;
and also II any person shall hereafter be convicted
of any crime, punishable by death, such person
shall in like manner be sentenced 10 solitary con
finement, until the sentence of death shall be infct-
ed. BY the act il is further provided, that
ience OF death shall be executed until after one year
from the time Of passing Of such sentence nor I'M
I'll the whole record Of the proceedings in such case
shall be certified TO The Governor; nor until war
rant shall be issued by the Governor, under The
seal OF the State, with the record annexed thereto
directed 10 The Sheriff of the county where the
states prison is situated commanding said Sheriff
to cause execution TO be done upon the person, up
on whom sentence had been passed. II is under.
stood tina, there has been one conviction and SEN
tence under This law, which il will be my reluctant
duty 10 pass upon, as the law appears 10 me to be
/ objeC iionable.
! tannoi believe for moment that il was the in.
tention OF the Legislature, by his act 10 prepare
the way for the total sbolishmeni Of capital punish
ment, even in cases Of murder: for such measure,
IN my opinion, would lie Taught with evils Of a most
direful kind but This law, which changes ia some
measure our long established mode of administer
trlmins justice, may give occasion for belief in
the public mind, that after conviction there will be
less certainty Of punishment
! Although Ibis statute may be open 10 some other
ing oil deaih-waHant by the Governor, is perhaps
me most So u is not sutfic enily explicit, TO show
distinctly, whether II is meT- discretionary power
! mat ne may or may not exercise, after examining
lie record OF conviction, or duty 10 be performed
as a ministerial officer. In means the first, il is
IN effect power 10 pardon or commute which is
not gwen him by the Constitution. and cannot be-
conferred by the legislature. Ii II means tie last
why impose this ungrscious duty upon the Chief
Magistrate, who IN most governments, and in this 10
certain extent, Is entrusted with the privilege of
releasing nom punishment, and not the stern duty
oil 'hhciing u. But II he is TO order a convict 10
execution, The most solemn Of all official acts. /,
should be done by express authority Of law and no.
iep 70 lneIeoce or construction. II IL submitted 10
your consideration whether this Law should no, be
repealed, OF al least revised.
l The sad existence Of slavery 10 many Of the
states oil ios unon, should be the cause of deep no.
imitation to tie moraisi, Tie patriot and the chris
iiah bui the continuance Of this nSfsble curse in
Tie District Of Columbia. and M the Territories
should excite our wsfmest indignation. There
thousands OF human beings are ia perpetual bond.
age aud slave-mafket Is openly held at the seal
oil ihe ifessi government upon earth. This is a
spectacle III only for yrsD,s ~ behold and to make
'hls state OF things moi only permanent bot as il al
80 TO ssen the awful responsibility Of il upon th.
ehirenI OF tie free states there have 10. teen wan,