The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-10-21


In attempting to comply with that provision
If the constitution, which requires the Exec
ltive annually to lay before the Legislature
such business as he may think necessary, 40
not deem 1t requisite for me to present every
subject, even OF public interest, which may
claim your attention. | regard 1t as
for me simply to advert to such mat
tiers Of public concern as would more appIO-
priatcly claim the notice of the Executive,fr from
the fact, that information pertaining to them |
might be presumed to fall more especially in
10 his possession Members of the legislature,
coming as they do from different quarters OF
the State, and acquainted as they are with the
operation of existing laws, upon the well be-
ing and prosperity Of the several sections
which they respectively represent, will, in
REGARD to most matters relating to the public
welfare. arrive for themselves at more just
ana correct conclusions than any to which the
Executive could guide them.
Among those subjects to which | regard it
as proper for me TO call your attention, l would
gatce5t an apparent defect existing in the
statute relating to public accounts. There is
no provision by which the Auditor is required
to give bonds for the faithful discharge OF his
official duties In an office which holds 50
great control over the treasury, without any
effective and immediate check beyond the
integrity Of the officer, cannot but regard
the defect as one that ought to c remedied;
and it is believed that no one holding the Of
fee would regard the requirement. that he
should give bonds, as oppressive or unreason-
able. The present Auditor Of Accounts, 1t IS
proper lor me to state, concurs in these views,
would respectfully suggest to the legisla-
H. OPo oil p1T oV
inp the rights of married women, so as to Sc
cure to them the sole control and benefit of
all property which they may have at cover
nre, or receive during it, in their own right.
The effect of such a provision would be to
guard married women more effectually from
The danger, which ever increases with the
growth of state and the consequent increase
OF business and its hazards of being reduced
to destitution and suffering by acts in which
they have had no part, and in whose dlsas-
trous consequences, so far as it can be avoid
ed, they should not share. Other States have
turned their attention to this subject, and it
would seem that our state should not be less
ready to give salutary and equitable protec-
ton to the WHEAT least when it can be done
without wrong to the husband or his credit
ors.
deem it my duty to call your attention to
an act passed at the last session OF the Legs
lature, entitled Gan act to prevent imposi.
ton and accidents in the sale of medicines"
The provision contained in the act, that it
should not 90 into effect until the first day Of
November, l847, would seem to imply that
doubts we're entertained as to the utility or
expediency of the law by the Legislature that
passed it as the provision appears to have
| tod no M
onrortunity for a repeal of the act previous to
its taking effect. Such doubts we're certain
" entertained by myself, and time has but
served to confirm them. 1t is strongly be-
| ieycd that an attempt to carry out the proVls-
ions of the law would not only be attended
with GREAT embarrassment and inconvenience,
but would altogether fail Of etlecting the pur-
poses sought to be accomplished. | would
therefore respectfully recommend a repeal oil
the act in question-and should the legisla-
ture concur with me in the main opinion, there
are obvious reasons why the subject should
receive immediate attention.
1t is a source of much qualification to me tc
be able to express my firm and decided con-
victions, that, under the regulations recently
adopted for the supervision of our common
schools and the efforts made in connection
with that supervision to improve these institu
tions and extend their influence, a palpable
advancement has been made iE many partic
ulars. although much remains to be desired
But as the condition of this great interest o.
the State, and its present demands upon us
will be considered in the report Of the State
superinteudent, which in due time will be
laid before YOU, it is unnecessary for NE IL
dwell upon this subject here.
,,ooo;vo6 tbn third Animal roDOrt O.
the State Geologist, and it is now in process
Of publication. 1t appears from the repor
that the survey has been progressing during
the mast year with a good degree of activity
and success, and that the field labor has beer
mainly completed, only small portion of The
state remains unexplorcd. The sum origin
ally appropriated for the purposes OF the sur
vey will be exhausted on the first day of Marcl
next: and from the estimates of the GeoIo
s.ist, appended to the report, it appears, thai
an additional appropriation OF sixteen hun
dred dollars a year for two years will be re
quirci to complete the remaining systematic
field Labor; to make such denominations o.
certain localities as may be found necessary
in making out the final report; and to prepare
the report for publication.
| have heretofore so strongly expressed my
convictions of the utility and importance o
this great work, and of its credit to the state
that it is needlass for me to say that truS
the appropriations will be readily made, ST
that no obstacle shall be presented to its sue
cessful and honorable completion.
In accordance with resolution passed a
the last session of the legislature, directing MI
TO appoint some one to examine the docu
ment5 collected by Henry Stevens, ESQ, rel
o+;vn IN +I,n claims of this state upon the GOV
ernlnent OF the United States, for expense
incurred during the revolutionary war, ap
pointed Charles X. Williams, whose report
have reason to believe will be submitted t.
the legislature at its present session.
To carry into effect the resolution of tn
last session, directing me to appoint some suit
III l. To nAlrGSNQnl with III