Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-10-22
MESSAGE.

Feots C-eas of the Senate and HOUSE Of Representatives.
OK assuming, as we now do, the guardianship
Of those civil interests Of the State which have for
a short period, been entrusted TO our care, Il is
proper that we should call distinctly 10 mind the
nature aud extent Of the obligations and response
biiities which rest upon US. We are but trustees
and servants OF the people" And, therefore, while
we accept the trusts which they have conferred,
with that une.gned gratitude which the confidence
thus reposed in Justly demands, LET US not be
seduced to imagine that we are free, in the dis
charge OF these trusts, to consult our own personal
benefit or to be guided altogether BY our own per-
sonal views and predictions. On the contrary,
we should keep il clearly and constantly in view,
that the Offices we hold bestowed to be execu-
ted for the benefit Of those who conferred them.
1t is not, however, sufficient for merely to
recognize our responsibility TO the people. We
should also remember that the eivii privileges
which we enjoy, and OF which the guardianship is
Temporarily committed TO our hands, are the gifts
of gracious and beneheent Providence and con-
seauenty. IL we are unfaitbful TO our trusts
not only ireacherous to those who have con6ded
their Interests to our care, but we incur the yet
deeper gull, of ingratitude to Heaven.
Let us then habitually regard the Offices with
which we have been entrusted. not only as obliga-
ting US TO those who have clothed US with brief
authority, but involving still higher RESPONSE
bli,y 10 Him who gives the privileges and bless
ings which we called TO guard.
During the past year we have, as State and
people received from the Great Author Of all good,
renewed tokens OF His benehcence, in not only pre-
serving to civil privileges, but IN granting
to Us even more than the common blessing OF his
Providence, in the means Of personal and social
enjoyment. The earth has yielded her increase IN
more than ordinary abundance and our citizens
have generally been prospered in their various pur
suits, so that industry has every where received
large reward for her tolls. No wasting sickness
has visited us but on the contrary even more than
wonted health has generally prevailed. And al
though the sound Of has been heard IN the dis
lance vet has not excited apprehensions for our
own personal security its dcsolailons have not
been elt within our own borders nor have IFS sor-
rows except 10 few instances, entered our DWELL
ngs
Perhaps no State in the coniederacy has been
characterized by greater simplicity n its legisla-
ton and government, than has the State Of Yer
mont. The line Of policy, which the State seems
to have marked out has been govern as little as
might be consistent with the proper protection Of
her citizens, and the Advancement Of their substan-
l tial interests Never turning coldy away from the
claim OF the humblesi TO be protected in the en-
! joyment Of "life, liberty and happiness she has
vet stunned the opposite Of legslang for the
i benefit Of individuals TO the injury Of mnititudes,
I aud avoided all complicated and eDiangling con-
nections with private or local interests. And while
care TO all useful enterprises calculated 10 promote
the general good whenever their successful prose-
cuioD required it, she has yet never sought to as
sumo the special and exclusive guardianship even
! of public and common interests, when they could
be adequaie, sustained and promoted in any other
! way And this general course is one which sound
economy and a regard for the best interests Of the
people at large, would. for reasons sufficiently OBJ
yons ever dictate. Let II be purpose. then, 10
conform to SO wise and prudent system Of policy
and aid in perpetuating IT,
Aside from making the ordinary annual appoints
j ments your duties for the session will probably be
few. In the proper field of legislation, there is
not, to my knowledge, any great and prominent
measure OF public interest, which will demand
your attention Notifications Of existing laws
may, in some cases. be required to meet new fea-
lures in our condition, or TO remedy original de-
lects in past enactmen,s Our habits of rapid leg
isation Of course expose TO the danger Of passing
laws not perfectly matured. Yet this expedition
in the transaction of business can scarcely be re-
garded as a fault, unless carried 10 the extreme
and this ought doubtless to be guarded against. But
imperfections and errors, whether the result Of
haste or of changing circumstances, should Of
| course be remedied experience and practice
bring them 10 light. And in the mean time, the
recog nzed principle that laws should be stable
as the changing condition and wants Of society
will permit will doubtless be kept in view, and ex-
I eTClse us que nnuenCt III tHo tALtut
Of our legislation.
Among the subjects which may claim your at
tention will perhaps be that Of our system Of pub
lie accounting. confidence does not seem 10
be universally felt that sufficient guards have As
yet been thrown around il. If an apology could
be found any where for any looseness Of practice
! in the management of public funds, there surely
can be none for il in Vermont And il may be
an appropriate subject for your inquiry, whether
any further provisions are necessary for securing
that punctuality and fidelity in this branch of the
public service, which the interest Of the State
) quires
BY existing laws. however, il is made the duty
Of the Auditor OF Accounts TO report annually "anJ
notifications which experience shall prove 10 be
necessary or expedient in order to procure faith
/ fol accounting for all public funds !" and the re.
port of this officer, which will in due time be laid
before you, will give your inquiries, II IN his oPin
. ion there should be occasion for any notifications
n a more definite direction than is here attempted OF
: deemed necessary
e The practice Of taking excessive interest is
! wrong against which no adequate remedy has beer
: provided, although the attention Of the Legislature
E has been repeatedly invited and given the sub
!. ieet Measures have been proposed for remedyini
;. the evil but none so satisfactory TO have re
q ceived the legislative sanction. But deem th'
e subject one Of sufficient importance renewedly q
:. claim your attention, although can suggest ~
% better mode Of guarding against the wrong OF Q
| 7. AZ. IL. Of