Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-10-15
Governors Message.
Ham Cifizens Of fhe Senate

ana HOUSE 81 AtrP'OSN'S
welcome you to the commencement OF 'ne
labors Of another year in behalf OF the people
of Vermont, who have committed their pupne
affairs to your care.
cannot fail to congratulate you upon the
continued material prosperity and general health
of our people, aed to express the confident
hope that the peace and happioess, tho morality
and intelligence. which have so long character
lied and disting uished the inhabitants OF the
State of Vermont, may suffer no diminution
among us hereafter. For these manifold bles-
sings we cannot be too grateful 10 that divine
Providence, by whose favor we enjoy them all
With a fervent solicitude that all our deiber-
ations and actions may result in the true well
fare of our constituents, and above all, that
thew NAV accord with the dictates of an en-
lghtened public conscience and His recorded
will. "in WHOM we live and move and have our
being" let us reverently assume the high res
possibilities cast upon US.
The legislative action of last year in estab-
fishing a Board of Education will, in my opin-
ion, if sustained by future legislatures, prove
of great public benefit. That vital interest of
u State, the education of it's people, by a thor
ough attention to which its free institutions
can alone be preserved, will by the provisions
OF that enactment be placed under the contin-
ued and systematic direction of board of men
aware of the great Importance of the subject
committed TO their charge, and conversant with
the wants of the community in that respect
Without in the least taking the practical su-
pervision of public education away from the
people themselves to whom it of right belong,
and by whom it can be best exercised, but in
reality only aiding and encouraging their efforts
in its behalf, it is confidently expected that by
the Board OF Education an organized system of
operations will be devised, and energy and Or
der infused into all public action upon this SUBJ
ject.
In conformity 10 the organic act of the Legis-
ature the board entered Immediately upon
their abors They were at first embarrassed
on account Of the apparent inadequacy OF the
prescribed salary of the Secretary to the labor
and expense necessarily attendant upon the
proper discharge of his duties. But they were
fortunately relieved from this embarrassment by
the generous efer of the managers of all our
railroads to pass the Secretary, in his necessary
visits to the different parts of the State over
their roads, free of charge. gladly take this
public opportunity to make known my grateful
express my hope that the managers of our rail
roads, which have so greatly contributed to the
wealth and prosperity of our State, may ever
give that encouragement to the cause of popu-
lar education which will in turn show its be-
nefcent effects, as well in connection with the
particular branch of mechanical and financial
science, in which they are engaged us in every
other department of industrial and intellectual
activity. j. s. Adams, ESQ, of Burlington,
was appointed Secretary of the Board. His
report, containing a valuable array of facts
and suggestions, will be laid before you, and |
bespeak for it your careful attention. Justice
to a faithful presiding officer requires me to
state that the zeal and energy, with which he
has discharged the laborious duties of his office,
merit the lasting gratitude Of our people.
am confident that the people of Vermont
look with growing desire for the revival and
encouragement Of a thorough and well organ
lied Militia system. The legislation of last
year in this direction has already favorably re.
suited in the formation of several uniform com
panes in different parts of the State. | have
had the pleasure of witnessing some of these
companies ON parade, and have greatly admired
their tasteful aud appropriate uniforms, their
good discipline and soldier-ke appearance
They reflect credit upon themselves and honor
on the S ate. If their services should ever be
called into requsition, should rely with con-
fdence upon their fidelity to a soldiers duty,
The efficient labors of the Adjutant and In
spector General during the past year, in en-
couraging and assisting the reorganization OF
the Militia, are deserving of high commenda
ton The free sentiments of the people OF
Vermont justly cause them to look with dis ia.
vor upon standing army. But in these
changeful times, and in the peculiar relations
which the different sections Of our country
bear to each other, and which the country al
large sustains toward foreign nations, the occa
sion may arise requiring an armed force in oul
midst to protect us from domestic dissension OF
foreign invasion In such an unfortunate
event, the surest safeguard for our cherished
liberties, will be found in patriotic and well
disciplined citizen soldiery, which, being one il
interest and sympathy with the people, Cal
never be used to Cypress or harrass them.
earnestly recommend to you the continuance
Of the existing laws prohibiting the sale Of in
toxicating drinks. am confident tina, the pro
hbtion Of this demoralizing and destructiv
traffic meets with the cordial approval of
large majority Of our people, and that it ha
accomplished, and is still accomplishing groa
and good work in arresting the evils of intem
perance.
The Railroads of Vermont, though of ines
Unable value in developing the agricultural an
mineral resources of the State, have yet gener
ally proved Improbable to those by whose ener
gy and enterprise they were constructed. Ii
some instances the mortgages given to secur
the payment of their bonds have been foreclosed
and the original corporations Invested of all in
terest in them. In other cases legal proceeding
have been commenced to accomplish simila
result. The legal interest and management q
most of our railroads will thus, in all probabi
ity, soon be vested in trustees under mortgages
while the equitable interest and real OWNERSHIP
will be in.the bondholders. think it desirabl
that some general law be enacted, providing
with suitable restrictions, that in such cases tn
bondholdcrs may form themselves into new col
porations for the management and operation @
their respective roads, and that they may EMO
all the privileges and franchises of the old con
panies. Such an enactment will obviate the ne
cessity of applications tie the Courts OF Chanc,
~ on tho part of the bondholders to be put int
the possession and use of their respective road,
and thus save expensive and perhaps protructe
litigation A general law, such as have sue
gested, would have the good effect of placin
the management of our railroads in the hanC
of their real owners, which would undou btedl
result in their more prudent and profitable O,
GRAFTON. Moreover, responsible party woui
thus be- brought within the reach Of the laws i
cases of Encouragement. 1t might also
made to add to the taxable property of tn
State, as the bulk of the railroad interest, b.
ing now composed of Bonds, which are mostl
owned by residents, is exempt from taxation
commend to your vigilant examination nc
only the general avs of the State in regard t
! Banks, but also the present condition of eac
, one of thos, important institutions. The cour
try is at present bending under financial storl
unsurpassed for many years. Nothing can moi
} certainly prevent this crisis from becoming AZ
palling, than firm conviction in the publ
mind that banking Institutions, with which tn
wealth and credit OF the community are so il