Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-01-19
Massachusetts,

The Annual Message OF Gov Briggs was de.
li,ercd TO the Legislature of Massachusetts on
"Wednesday, 10Th inst. 1t is of moderate length,
and suggests u number Of excellent Reforms to
the consideration Of the Legislature
Gov. Il. finds cause Of generalization in the
prosperous aud satisfactory condition Of the rub
lie Financcs.--Hc also takes occasion to hint to
the members OF the Legislature that they pro-
tracted their last session to rather an unnecessa
~ length. thereby cuiailing an unprecedented
cost for that branch of the Public Service-and
also observes that at is TO be hoped that this
cause of increased expenditure will not occur
again during the present century"
The rolls OF accounts for the past year amount
10 over $4,000, nearly the whole OF which i
for the support Of State paupers. A prompt
remedy agnnsl the continuance Of this cxpeise
IS earnestly urged by the Governor.
There are sS 600 enrolled Militia in the Com
monwealih, and the subject is recommended TO
attention, as there is comparatively little regular
organization Of this force
The various Public Institutions Of The State
are announced as successfully fulfilling the pui-
posvs Of their creation, dispensing benefits and
happiness 10 the objects Of their care, and re-
fleeing credit upon The Commonwealth Gov.
Is also announces that arrangements have been
male with DIR. Howe, the Principal Of the Per.
kins Institution and Massachusetts, Asylum for
the Blind, for receiving and teaching ten idiot
children.
In regard to the State Prison ut Charlcsown,
the reports show the same careful, humane and
judleious administration Of it, Affair, which la.
distinguished it among similar institutions, has
been observed throughout the past ycar.--In re-
spect 10 Capital Punishment, the Governor ex-
presses an opinion that such change in existing
laws as will make only murder in the first dc.
frFg al Ia. 4 II
err crimes, now made capital, lof which there
are at present four to imprisonment for long
term of years, or for life, would meet with the
public appreciation, lead to the more certain pun
ishinent of crimes, and increase the safety Of the
community.
The State Reform School" at Wcstborouph
Is IN active operation, although opened only IL,
November last 1t has already % inmates
Concerning the cause of Education in the
state, Gov. Is. pays an exceedingly handsome
compliment to the valuable services Of Hon
| Horace MANN; and observes Us follows in
continuation Of the subject: "The importance
and magnitude Of this cause cannot be ovcrraed
/ Sad, indeed, would be the day when the busy,
teeming population OF Massachusetts, should neg
lcct the moral and intellectual cducaton OF their
children and when school-houses and churches
shall cease TO be the object OF their affection and
/ soicitudc. As well might The husbandmau. in
| the opening Spring" continues Gov b., put up
,is fences, repair and paint his buildings, sci
out his shade-trees, and ornament his pleasure
grounds, but utterly neglect to prepare The earth
and pu, in the seeds for bis crops"
In the report Of tie Board Of Education for
! 1913, the most convincing proof is furnished,
that, within the last twelve YEAR, the influence
Of the Board, the action Of the Normal Schools,
and the services Of their Secretary, have given
an impulse to Popular Education, the most graf
flying to lis friends, aud beneficial TO the public.
National matters are but briefly considered
in the Message. Gov. b. remarks, in regard to
tie Slavery Agitation, that "ii should be met
with Kindness, candor, and frmness. Reason is
not aided by passion, or truth by Violence
expresses the satisfaction of the people of the
Commonwealth ut the course pursued in relation
to this matter by their Representatives in Con-
gross.
The Message concludes with an earnest APP
peal for udcous legislation, the most efficient
means OF advancing the interests of the Stale,
both within and without her borders.