Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-10-16
THE FREE PRESS
BURLINGTON
Nj ESSA(sE.
FRIDAY MORNING. OCTOBER le, 1857.
'ellow Citizens of the Senate,

MESSAGE.
| Fellow Citizens of the Senate,
and House of Representatives
! welcome you to the commencement Of
the labors of another year in behalf of the
people Of Vermont, who have committed
their public affairs to our care.
| cannot fail to congratulate YOU upon
the continued material prosperity andgene-
raj health of our people, and to express the
confident hope that thepeace and happiness,
the morality and intelligence, which have
so long characterized and distinguished the
inhabitants of the State of Vermont, nav
suffer no diminutiOn hereafter. For these
manifold blessings we cannot be too CRATE
full to that divine Providence, by whose IA
vor we enjoy them all. With fervent So
licitude that all our deliberations and ac.
tions may result in the true welfare of our
| consttuents,anda above all thatthey may ac
cord with the dictates of an enlightened
| public conscience and His recorded will
g in whom we live and move and have our
being let us reverently assume the high
responsibilities cast upon us.
The legislative action of last year in es-
tablishlng Board of education will. in my
opinion, if sustained by ture-legislatures,
prove of great public benefit That vital
interest of State, the education of its pco-
pie, by thorough attention to which it's
free institutions can alone be preserved
will by the provisions of that enactme mt
be placed under the continued and syste-
matte direction of board of men aware of
the great Importance of the subject commit
ted to their charge, and conversant with the
wants of the community in that respect -
Without in the least taking the practical
supervision OF public education away from
the people themselves, to whom it OF right
belongs and by whom it be can be best ex-
ercised but in reality only aiding and en-
couraging their efforts in its behalf, it is con-
idently expected that by the Board of Edu-
cation an organized system of operations
will be devised, and energy and order in
fused into all public action upon this sub
ject.
In conformity to the organic act of the
Legislature, the Board entered i.a.aedi ..o-
~ upon their labors. They were at first
embarrassed on account of the apparent in
adequacy of the prescribed salary of the
Secretary to the labor aud expense neces-
sarily attendant upon the proper discharge
of his duties. But they were fortunately
relieved from this embarrassment by the
generous offer of the managers of all our
railroads to pass the Secretary, in his nee
essary visits to the different parts of the
State over their roads, free of charge. |
gladly take this public opportunity to
make known my grateful sensibilty of the
generosity ofthis act, and to express my
hope that the managers of our railroads,
which have so greatly contributed to the
wealth and prosperity of our State, IN ~
ever give that encouragement to the cause
OF popular education, which will in turn
show its benefcent effects, as well in con-
nectlOn with the particular branch of me-
chanical and financial science. in which
! they are engaged, as in every other depart
nIent Of inlust-; sod intel Iaot,,"l O." -..-i,y
j. 5. Adams Esq, ST Burlington, was ap-
| pointed Secretary of the Board. His report
containing valuable array of facts and
suggestions, will be laid before you, and
bespeak for it your careful attention.
Justice to faithful public officer requires
me to state that the zeal and energy, with
which he has discharged the laborious du-
ties Of his office, merit the lasting gratitude
OF our people.
am confident that the people Of Yer
mont look with growing desire for the re
vival and encouragement of a thorough anc
well organized Militia system. The legsa
ton of last year in this direction has al
ready favorably resulted in the formation
of several uniform companies in different
parts of the State. | have had the pleasure
of witnessing some Of these companies OF
parade, and have greatly admired then
tasteful and appropriate uniforms, their
good discipline and soldier-like appearance
They reflect credit upon themselves anC
honor on the State. If their service
should ever be called into requisition,
ahnnll raly wi III ,npfIapoa bair g
deity to soldiers duty. The efficient la
bors of the AdJutant and Inspector Genera
during the last year, In encouraging an
assisting the reorganization of the Militia
are deserving of high commendation, Tn
free sentiments of the people of Vernon
justly cause them to look with dls-iavo
upon a standing army. But in thes
changeful times, and in the peculiar rela
tions which the different sections of ou
country bear to each other, and which tn
country at large snstains towards foreig
nations, the occasion NAV arise requirin
an armed force in our midst to protect u
from domestic dissension or foreign invt
sion. In such an unfortunate event, til
surest safeguard for our cherished libertiC
will be found in patriotic and well disc
plined citizen soldiery, which, being one
( interest and sympathy with the people, ca
never be used to oppress or harrass them.
l earnestly recommend to you the contil
. uance OF the existing laws prohibiting Il
i sale of Intoxicating drinks. | am conhdeI
! that the prohibition of this demuralizir
, and destructive traffic meets with the co
$ dial approval Of a large majority of OF
d people, and that it has accomplished and
: still accomplishing great and good VOL
- in arresting the evils of intemperance.
The Railroads of Vermont, though
. inestimable value in developing the agI
I cultural and mineral resources of the Stat
have yet generally proved Improbable
', those by whose energy and enterprise tn
ne - were constructed. In some instances {
"a mortgages given to secure the payment
" " their bonds have been foreclosed, and t
- original corporations diyested OF all intert
in them. In other cases legal proceedin
have been commenced to accomplish sin
~ ~ lar result. The legal interest and manat
- ment of most Of our railroads will thus,
- all probability, soon be vested IN trustt
10 under mortgages, while the equitable IN
rest and real ownership will be in the bo
holders. think it desirable that 30
Id general law be enacted, providing, W
en- suitable restrictions, that In such cases
o. bondholders may form themselves into n
10 corporations for the management and o
lr ration of their respective roads, and Il
Sc they may enjoy all the privileges and fr
es chises of the old companies. Such an
actment will obviate the necessity of
plica tions to the Courts Of Chancery on
lis part of the bondhOlders to be put into
possession and use Of their respective roa
and thussave expensive and perhaps protr
ed litigation, A general law, such as ! h
suggested, would have the good effect
all placing the management of our railroads
the hands of their real owners, which We
Mr undoubtedly result in their more pruC
and profitable operation. Moreover, a
is sponsible party would thus be brou
len within reach of the laws in cases OF misn
.he agement. 1t might also be made to add to
.. taxable property of the State, as the
It's of the RAILROAD interest, being compose
Bonds, which are mostly owned by non
and dents, lie exempt from taxation.
int commend to your vlgilant examina
The not only the general laws of the stat