Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-10-15
GREEN MOUNTAIN FREEMAN.

died as experience and practice bring them to light
And in the mean time the recognized principle that
laws should be as stable as the changing condition
and wants of society will permit will doubtless be
kept in view, and exercise its due influence in deter
mining the extent of our legislation
Among the subjects which may claim your attention
will perhaps be that of our system of public account
ing confidence does not seem to be universally
felt that sufficient guards have as yet been thrown
around it. If an apology could be found any where
for any looseness of practice in the management oil
public funds, there surely be none for it in Yer
mont. And it may be appropriate subject for your
inquiry whether any further provisions are necessary
for securing that punctualty and fidelity in this branch
OF the public SERVICE which the interest Of the state
requires.
Bv existing laws however, it is made the duty of the
Auditor of Accounts to report annually "any modhca-
tons which experience shall prove to be necessary or
expedient in order to procure faithful accounting for
all public funds :" and the report of this officer, which
will in due time be laid before you will give your in
quiries if IN his opinion there should be occasion for
any notifications, more definite direction than is
here attempted or deemed necessary
The practice of taking excessive interest is wrong
against which no adequate remedy has been provided,
although the attention of the Legislature has been re-
peatedly invited and given to the subject. Measures
have been proposed for remedyng the evil, but none
so satisfactory to have received the Legislative sac
ton But deem the subject of sufficient impor-
lance renewedly to claim YOU attention, although
can suggest no better mode OF guarding against the
wrong. of obtaining redress under IT, than that Of
chancery process In case, however, this remedy or
any other should be fixed upon, would respectfully
suggest the proprey of making 1t prospective only IN
its operation 1t is true that provision for new and
more efectua mode orecoverng back usurles interest
inasmuch as law was violated in taking it, could not
strictly be regarded attaching any new penalty to
offence after it had been committed. But 1t IS ever
desirable TO avoid disturbing past transactions entered
into with due regard to the estimate which the law,
either expressly or implicitly, has placed upon them
And in this the statute seems almost to sanct-
ion the taking of usurous interest by the utter made
quacy ofits provisions for preventing the practice
tracts, made under the law it is, might be regarded
as having received guarantee almost equivalent to
pledge of public faith that they should never be cal
led in question Whether this view OF the subject,
however, be tenabe or not it is believed that RENE
dy looking only to the future would be more likely to
be received with favor, because awakening no appe-
hension that transactions supposed to be completed
with to be brought into controversy If the wrongs OF
the past are not redressed under this plan it will still
be no small attainment to guard against like wrongs
for the future.
1t is matter of Just qualification to be able to say
that the Geological Survey Of the State has been pro-
crossing during the past season with good degree OF
rapidity and that it appears to be accomplishing all
those useful results which were anticipated from II Oy
the most ardent friends ofthe measure.
The ends proposed to be attained by this survey may
Justly be regarded as one of no insignificant importance
The great object contemplated was to present to the
people of the State as much practical and available In
formation possible in regard to our rocks, SOILS and
mineral productswith view to the immediate benefits
which would flow to the great interests of agriculture
and manufactures-more especially the Formerly
way ofdvertng labor from projects and enterprises
that would end in disappointment and loss and direc
ting it into oper and profitable channels. The cor
recon, too, of iniudicious modes of cultivation ten
ding to gradual deterioration and ultimate exhaustion
of the soil, and the substitution for them OF practices
and methods of management calculated steadily to fer
tize and improve It, while Should at the same time
be yielding to the aborer present reward-was one
of the modes in which it was believed the benefits o.
the survey would be realized. And those benefits vii
continue to dluse themselves, and reach far beyonC
the period when the expenditure which secured then
shall cease to be needed because they rest upon the
only sure foundation of all solid aud permanent i'm
provement-that of increased knowledge. They ope
rate not merely by urging industry TO more vigorous
efforts most availing, with the least expenditure 0
sweat and toll
That agriculture is intrinsically an important inter
est and worthy of legislative encouragement, so far as
this may be necessary to sustain it, scarcely b.
questioned 1t is the first step the progress of soci
ETY. to cultivation, and as an employment 1t must lie a
the foundation OF all others that go to form the abr
of national greatness and prosperity. vitality mpor
tant then the employment in question is to the wei
fare of humanity and intimately blended as its inter
ests with all the great interests Of an elevated an
advanced cultivation, might hope that under tn
conjoned aid of theory and practice IL would in dn
time be enabled to par,ake Of the certainty of the eX
act sciences as well as be ranked among the most ele
h waited and honorable of human pursuits.
. And while this interest is conessedly one OF sue,
vast general Importance, 1t certainly cannot be dOubte
that it is essential to the prosperity of Vermont. An
perhaps in no State in the Union is 1t more preem
nenty important that the cultivation of the soil shout
be conducted in accordance with sound principles i
agricultural science. The prairie and other alluvi'
soils which abound IN many Of the States, being rich
: ly charged with all those various mineral element
which enter into different vegetable products, may
even if no correct principles of science are applied
their cultivation, continue to yield abundant harvest
It for long series of years-ahough doubtless liable
o be ultimately exhausted. But the soils of Vernon
chiefly primitive in their character, less deep and les
Astounding in those ingredients essential to prolonged
spontaneous fertility, require that correct practice
principles be brought to bear upon their cultivation
o we would secure their increased productveneSS, G
t even save them from deterioration. What nature
however, has not done for our State, science dc
Let its light then be dused, and it's guidance be fol
lowed, and, under adequate system OF protection
this interest IN connection WIN others, vermont ma
nothing TO fear for her continued and increased pros
: pery. Her valleys and plains will TEEN with unsul
passed fertility, and sheep and cattle Craze, in count
less thousands on her hillsdes, while the busy hume
prosperous industry shall be heard from all her thriv
ing villages. And if the survey, whose bearings an
influence have, in view ST their Importance been thu
considered at length, shall aid, it is confidently be
lieved it WILL in securing such results no citizen ca
, feel that it has been undertaken and prosecuted i
l. vain.
e The contributions made by the survey to the nov
r rapidly unfolding science of Geology, and the aid al
forded by in solving problems odeep interest to tn
: scientific world, although ranking secondary con
sderatons are yet in no danger of being overraed i
: our estimate OF their Importance.
d am not apprized that any further appropriate
will be required in order to complete satisfactorily tn
t. field labor of the survey, unless perchance, on maxim
up the final report it should be found that some fact
were wanting to complete the chain of evidence In re
gard to certain conclusions that some flying excur
sons should be deemed necessary to supply the def
y ciencV If co. a small sum might be needed for tn