Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-10-23
FELLOW CITIZENS OF TIE SENATE

AND lIoCsE ar REPRESENTATIVES,;
We have come together in obedience TO tie d'rec-
tons OF the constitution to consult upon tho condition
of the state and IN adopt such measures Of ,gsa0n,
within the limits Of the peoples crrer under which
we are to act rs their wants and interests may seem
to require. In the performance cI th,- duty the
labor well rs the responsibility dcvolyeA ain. = eX-
clu-ively upon you. Our state goycrumcn. j. EN-
phaticdlly people, government, being lisrc turr'y
democratic in it, character than other iY A.uci -
AMI pr baby in the world. To the immeiifc pre-
sentatiyes Of the people, OF the several towns and
couEtie- ~ tx state, Is committed the absolute power
of annually choosing all the onicor>. bo,h cxecutlve
and judicial, who are not annually elected by the peo-
pie, and of enacting such laws 70 the majority of
them. assembled in their respective houses shall
meet.
To this power of legislation the governor has not,
in most Of cur sister states, qualified ncga-
tive. His authority is Of mn advisory character
Is. fy Interpreting objections to Il proposed measure
lie may cause . reconsideration of it. but ii n MAORI
ty Of the tw" houses remain favorable to the measure
II becomes law without the approval of the exccu-
tive. The successful operation of tic popular ca-
turcs Of system is Inject Of Just cosrutula,i,
furnishing the strongest evidence Of the wisdom Al
fore ght OF it, inmers rs well ~, If the virtue aud in
tegence Of those by whom it has been administers
he past year has been one Of unusual depression in
tie business Of the country, in which the people Of
this state have shared to considerable extent though
it Is believed in less degree than many others. Al
Though an immedite restoration of business 10 It's
former active and successful condition is no; perhaps
to he anticipated we have still occasion tor de-
spuniencN ne productions al our son during the
past season have been unusually abundant; our pco
ole have been blessed with I'M ordinary degree of
health; arc in the u enjoyment Of civil and religious
liberty, and lie means of intellectual culture. well
comfortable bodily subsistence arc be loved 10 be
within the reach of all our citizens. With al these
arA numerous other blessings so bountuliy showeled
upon us by klnd and benefceEt Providence we
have abundant caglse for thankliln and rejoicing
for the past and also for hope and confidence in the
future.
Coming newly into Office and having had little re-
cent experience in state legislation, make this in
tr0ductcry communication rather IN coiuplimice with
established usage, than IN any very conf eA nee
tation Of furnishing YOU with essential aid Ia The lis
charge of your various important duties. shall how
ever make such suggestions us oetr me on some
subjects which deem worthy Of your unt.oe, COM
mendng them to yDlr candid consideration.
TAe report Of the auditor OF accounts, which. in
conformity to the provisions cf law, hus iu,, tecn
published shows the receipts aud expenditures , the
state during the past political year. and tie rlcscut
condition OF our state finances. from ti!s lGTor- i
appears mat the balance in tile treasury IN tie .st
OF September lN5s, was S30,6i3 il, ana ill. the
amount Of taxes uncollecod wis $50 1853 2G making
together the Gum Of S9o,s9l 81 the hil,,yi a'e
available resources of tho state Hnd that tie ndc,t =
ness OF the state. intending orders unPresrnir Ike
bank safety fund and the sums due IA tuNi.s tr
United States surplus money. was Si43 ,9Cl ~ *
ceeding the current available resources by the sum ii
S53Ol2 10, 1t ia to he observed that there has been
expended in the construction Of the Now state house
the sum Of S6l l27 20, and that but for this cY 0r-
binary expenditure made necessary by the u cdcri-
raj destruction of the old cl,fce, the sum in lie
r. asury md the assessed faxes wonld exceed Tie
state indebtedness hy about the sum of Ssoan The
policy Of the state from its first organization hh6 e.
against tue creation OF Il permanent stato drh,. TX
taorlinary and unexpected calls upon the treasury
like that now requiring the construction of the rev
CAPITOL have occasionally been provided for by tenn
pola.y los but provision for their speedy payment
has always heretofore been made. This policy has
had strong tendency to produce judieou' economy
in our expenditures and trust is not to be departed
from.
The report Of the auditor of accounts also embraces
the reports of tbs several officers having the charge
and Inspection, respectively, Of the Vermont asylum
for the INSANE, and of the state pr son. and also the
bank commissioners report.
The report of the commissioner Of the insare ia
highly complimentary to the conduct and manage
ment of the asylum, which, under the direction OF its
experienced superintendent and board of trustees APP
pears to be in very successful operation.
The reports of the directors Of the Vermont state
prson and ito superintendent are also OF favorable