Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-10-20

means and | doubt not that such as you may
deem necdful and practicable will be adopted.
And while the interests Of our primary and sub
ordinate schools are duly fostered, tho institu-
iions of higher grade, including our colleges,
should receive all the aid and encouragement
that may consistently be extended to them.
] think it my duty 10 bring to your notice
that provision Of our laws relating to the Grand
List, which permits the respective lists of per-
sonal estate TO be balanced or reduced by debts
due from the owner. The subject must, to
some extent, have engaged the attention Of your
predecessors, but know not how deliberately
and fully il may have been considered. The
provision was probably adopted to avoid double
taxation of the same property, by treating its
unpaid price Ia the hands Of one man, as a sub
sii,ute for the properly itself in the hands Of
another. 1t is obvious, however, that the no
tion Of such a substitution cannot reasonably be
carried to the extent Of the existing enactment
and that this provision operates to protect from
actual taxation a very considerable amount Of
personal property through the State, without
securing any just equivalent in the taxation Of
debts. Doubling whether so general a p%rovis-
ion Of this character, IL indeed any such, can
rect upon the satisfactory grounds Of justice or
policy, | commend the subject, in its various
bearings, to your thorough examination. And
should you sec fl to enlarge the basis Of taxa
iion, by subjec,.ng to ii the property now prac-
tically exempted under the provision aforesaid,
| would advise that another effort be made to
revive and sustain the Uniform Militia. The
necessity may at any time occur, Of seeking
protection from an organized and efficient mill
iary force, against sudden danger from abroad,
or domestic violence. And the only such force
which should or can be invoked at such times
is that Of the militia "a force identified with
the people, and always accessible.
A deep feeling Of compassionate regret and
apprehension is not unfrequently experienced,
at the sight Of children and tender youth i'm
%Prisoned in the common jails as criminal offend
ders. There is reason to fear that this modr Of
dealing with such young persons has by no
means the most %salutary or reforming influence.
When in that condition, they generally find lit
tie OF no kind and active sympathy surrounding
them, and soon come to view themselves us be-
ing stamped with the mark of permanent oxclu-
sion from good society, and from The honorable
pursuits of life. And if to this be added the
association in confinement with hackneyed and
callous malefactors, the work Of ~efeclual de-
pravatiOn may but too soon be contaminated
These considerations have induced the to rec
ommend that Houses Of Correction be provided
for juvenile offenders. Such a mode Of pun
ishment would, Of course, extend to all these
minor and petty offences, which ara commonly
the i~ncipient steps in the path of crime. for
bear to enter into details, OF 10 suggest wheth-
er such establishments should be the work Of
the State, or Of counties, towns, or other asso-
Citations having entire confidence that all this
will be wisely settled, il the main proposition
shall meet your appreciation.
BY a Resolution Of the Legislature, passed
at the session Of A. ID. 1853, the Executive
was requested TO make examinations as to the
expenses incurred by this State during the Rev
dictionary War with a view TO the presenia-
ton to Congress of a claim for remuneration,
if that course should be thought advisable
Finding this resolution in force when | came
into Office, ! thought it my duty 10 proceed un-
der it. The examination has accordingly been
made to a considerable extent, and ! hope to be
able, during the present session, to have the
claim in condition 10 be presented, if deemed
expedieni.
In pursuance Of a resolution passed at the
last session, | appointed a board Of Commits
sioners, consisting Of the Hon. Jacob Collamer,
the Hon. Daniel Kellogg, and the Hon. Inland
Hall, to revise The present laws relating to
Railroad Corporations and their very able re-
port is herewith transmitted for your consider
alton.
by another resolution, at the last session, the
Governor was directed to appoint a Commits
sioner to treat with the lroquis Indians for the
settlement Of their claim to certain lands in this
State. The Hon. James NJ. Hoichkiss, of La
noble County, was appointed such Commissions
err His negotiations, as ! learn, are not yet
brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
Nothing has occurred during the last year,
TO allay our just apptehensions of danger to
most Of the vital interests of the free States,
from the determined purpose of a part Of
the nation TO extend the limits and influence
Of slavery. That purpose is understood to
have been manifested in The territory of Kansas,
by a course Of successful menace and violence
equally defiant of law and the rights of oppo-
nents. A design is also indicated, to break
down that great principle Of common law, here
tofore universally admitted and affirmed, that
a slave becomes free, when he enters a free
State by consent Of his master. The expert
ment has been tried, of purposely bringing
slaves into a free State, and there claiming a
continued property in them. And all these
events would seem to have passed with an ac-
quiescence, TO say the least, on The part Of ma
lional authorities, executive and Judicial, which
the true friends Of freedom can scarcely con
template with composure. The time has eyi.
IDENTIFY arrived, when all who would oppose the.
further eneroaehmcnts of slavery, should com.
bine their vigorous and persevering efforts for
that purpose.
Suggestions of %frugaliiy in The public expen-
dllures may be spared as | doubt not you are
already selfcommitied to a course Of the strict. ]
est economy, which you shall think consistent, I
with a just administration of the government in
Its various interests and departments. s
You viii accept the assurance of all that aid ,