Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-10-22
G0yERNaR,S MESSAGE.
Feliop Cifsena ofhe Senate

Felicic Cinscas critic Senate
and House Of Representatives.
The annual assemblage Of our State Legisla.
ture ever presents an appropriate season for a
passing survey ofthosc prominent incidents per-
tanning TO our common welfare, which have
marked the previous year. And, upon such 2
survey on the present occasion, we find our
selves surrounded with abundant causes for
gratitude to that bcnefcent Being from whom
we receive every good. The year has been
characterized by o chccringetate Of activity and
prosperity in our business operationsi and al
though our rejoicing in this respect should per-
haps be somewhat tempered by the reflection
which forces itself upon us that this favorable
condition is to no small extent result of the
destitution and distress which have prevailed in
other lands, yet such a remembrance may serve
TO impress upon us the more deeply sense OF
obligation that we, too, have not been suffering
the want of bread. SO far from this we have
been enjoying an unstinted supply of the fruits
OF the earth during the year past, and another
rich harvest has been freshly gathered in. Our
people, too, have been preserved from any wide
spread and desolating sickness; civil order has
been maintained and our distinguishing social
and religious privileges, unimpaired, have been
yielding, for our enjoyment their rich and count
less blessings.
As we enter upon the discharge Of our legs-
lative duties, let us bear in mind our obligations
TO those who have committed their interests to
our care, but also recognize our responsibility
to Higher Power Under the generally re-
ccived and Substantially correct doctrine, that
laws are but the expression Of the public mind
and an index of public morals, there is danger
of our overlooking truth Of great practical i'm.
portancc that lies beyond. Laws themselves in
turn, exert an influence in forming the character
..f ~.
assumed TO be among the wisest and most vrtu-
Gus of the State, implicitly place upon certain
acts by their legislation, goes far TO mould the
public sentiment in regard to those acts. And,
in view of the educational influence which the
legislator in this way exerts, he should not re-
gard il as his paramount and exclusive purpose
to register the public will, but he should also
aim to be guided in every net Of legislation by
the elevated principles Oft sound christian NOR
atty
In attempting to comply with that provision
Of the constitution, which requires the Execu-
tive annually TO lay before the Legislature such
business as he may think necessary, | do not
deem il requisite for me TO present every sub
ject, even OF public interest which may proper
| ~ claim your attention l regard it as sufficient
for me simply To advert to such matters of pub
lie concern as would more appropriately claim
the notice Of the Executive, from the fact, that
information pertaining to them might be pre-
sumed to fall more especially into his possession.
Members of the Legislature, coming as they do
from different quarters of the State, and ac-
quainted us they are with the operation Of ex.
isting laws upon the well being and prosperity
of the several sections which they respectively
represent, will, in regard to most matters relai-
ing to the public welfare, arrive for themselves
at more just and correct conclusions than any
1 In Viii tl,a L. al.
Among those subjects 10 which regard il as
proper for me to call your attention, / would
suggest an apparent defect existing in the stat
ute relating to public accounts. There is no
provision by which the Auditor is required 10
give bonds for the faithful discharge Of his Off
cial duties. In an Office which holds so 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 10 be renedied and il i believ-
ed that no one holding the office would regard
the requirement, that he should give bonds, as
oppressive or unreasonable. The present Au-
ditor of Accounts, it is proper for me 10 state,
| concurs in these views
would respectfully suggest to the Legislature
the propriety of altering our laws respecting the
rights of married women, so rs TO secure TO them
the sole control and benefit Of all property
which they may have at coverture, or receive
| during II, in their own right. The effect of
such provision would be TO guard married wo-
men more eiiectually from the danger, which
ever increases with the growth of a State and
the consequent increase Of business and it, haz-
| ards of being reduced To destitution and suffer-
ing by acts in which they have had no part, and
in whose disastrous consequences, so far as It can
be avoided, they should not share. Other
States have turned their attention TO this sub
icct, and il would seem that our State should not
be less ready to give salutary and equitable pro-
lection 10 the wife-at least when Il can be done
without wrong to the husband or his creditors.
deem il NV duty 10 call vour attention 10
an act passed M the Last session Of the Leg;sIa.
ture, entitled AN net 10 prevent imposition and
accidents In the sale Of med;c;nes.s The mn.
vision contained IN Inc aet. that Il sbould not 20
into effect until the 6rst dav Of Nov. 1877.
would seem N ;mplv that doubts were entertain
ed as to The utility or cxpediency Of the law by
the Legislature that passed il |; as the provision
appears to have been inserted for the purpose
Of afiordinc an opportunity for a rspcal Of the
act previous To ~ takino effect, Sucb doubts
were certainly entertained bv myself and time
has but served 10 confirm them II & STRONGLY
believed that an attcmpt 10 carry ont the pro-
visions of the law would NO, orly he attended
| ~-