Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-10-22

the sum OF SCI ,l27,70, and that but for this
extraordinary expenditure, made necessary by
the accidental destruction of tho old ediiice,
the sum IN tho treasury and the assessed tax
es would exceed the state indebtedness by
about the Of 5000. The policy of the
state from its first organization has been
against tho creation of permanent state
debt. Extraordinary and unexpected calls
upon the treasury, like that now requiring
the construction of new capitol, have occa-
sionaly been provided for by temporary
loans but provision for their speedy payment
has always heretofore been made. This pol
| icy has had a strong tendency to produce a
ludlclous economy in our expenditures, and
| trust is not to be departed from.
The report of the auditor of accounts also
embraces the reports of the several officers
having the charge and inspection, respective
ly, of the Vermont asylum for the insane,
and, and Of the state prison and also the bank
The report Of the commissioner of the in.
sane is highly complimentary to the conduct
and management of the asylum, which, un-
der the direction of its experienced supern-
tcndcnt and board OF trustees, appears to be
in very successful operation.
The reports Of the directors of the Vermont
state prison and It's superintendent, are also
of Il favorable character. ] would resuect-
fully call your attention to the recommended
ton of the directors for reconstructing the
cells of the prison, which the comfort as well
as the preservation of the health Of the in
mates would seem to demand.
From the report of the bank commission
er, it appears that all the the banks in opc-
ration in the state are considered to be in a
sound condition, though the capital of some
of them, by reason of losses, has been reduc-
ed below the chartered amount. 1t would
also seem that many Of the banks have vio-
lated some of their charter provisions. beg
leave to call your attention to these viola
tions, specified by the commissioner, and to
submit to your consideration whether further
legislation is necessary to prevent their repe-
titon.
| have reason to believe that the geological
survey of the state. under the superintend-
ence Of the eminent state geologist, is being
judiciously and successfully prosecuted. His
report will be laid before you at an early day.
with such suggestions as shall then occur to
me as important.
Reports are also expected from the super
intendent of the state house, on the progress
and present condition of the work on that
edilice, and from the secretary of the board
Of education, showing the proceedings of the
secretary and of the board during the past
year, which reports will be severally commu-
nicated to you. On transmitting these re-
ports, shall take occasion to submit such re-
marks upon the different subjects embraced
by them as shall seem to be required.
The subject Of the condition and manage
ment of our railroads is one of the very high
est importance to the state, but as it will
come appropriately before you by the report,
which is to be made to you by the railroad
7 -
The militia of the state have lately receiv-
ed more than usual public attention, and the
subject W i'll doubtless be before you for con-
! sideration. The condition of the militia has
heretofore been deemed matter of great i'm
| portance. Our ancestors brought with them
to this country strong hereditary dread Of
standing armies. which successive events in
the parent country continually served to
strengthen AMI confirm. 1t was found that
whenever such military force was not engag-
ed in foreign wars, it was generally employ
| cd by the government in expressing and at
tempting to ensave the people, and this
whether the force was controlled by the
crown, by parliament or a protector. This
conviction of the danger of standing armies
and IA belief in the safety and efficiency of u
well regulated militia for purposes Of defence
and protection, were established political
principles of our revolutionary fathers, and
as such were incorporated into our state con.
stituton.
The early settlers of New England were in
the constant daily use OF firearms for theil
protection against savages and wild beasts
Such arms were also required in the pursuit
Of game, which often furnished them with
convenient and sometimes indispensable meant
of subsistence. The frequent attacks which
We're made upon their settlements by the In
dians and afterwards by the French and In
dians combined, the threatened dangers from
th3 expressions of the mother country, which
Immediately the followed close of the French
war, and the actual hCstilities of the revolu
tionary period, all stimulated the militar,
spirit of our ancestors, and made them no
only cheeriully submit to frequent and ex
ponsivc drills and musters for their improve.
ment in military discipline, but to feel or
honest and patriotic pride in establishing
ana maintaining II high character for the ei
iiciency of their military organization, Thi'
military spirit continued to prevail to a con
siderable extent until the war of 1872, dur
ing which the militia were frequently calleC
out and often rendered valuable and import
ant service to the country But after thu
peace with England IN 1915, the characte
and efficiency of the militia for parade anC
discipline suffered marked and rapid dc
cline. This apparent abatement of mlitar,
ardor is doubtless mainly, if not wholly, t
be attributed to the feeling which has exten
sively pervaded the community since tia
period, that all danger from foreign invasion
had ceased, that little or none was to b
apprehended from domestic violence, AM
that consequently military organization
was unnecessary and useless. Under the in
fluence Of this feeling, our laws, which hav
required our citizens to furnish themselve
with arms and equipments, to appear witt
them by companies for inspection and drill
and to attend regimental and other musters
have been looked upon as imposing ex
pensive and unnecessary burdens, and all et
forts of legislation for some years past, t
give popularity and efficiency to such laws
have proved unvailing. am not now con
sidering the justice and propriety of this feel
ing, but merely stating the fact of its exis
tence, fact which ought not to be overlook
ed in any further attempt at legislation o
the subject, For in our republican system
a law in order to be permanent and eHectua
must be sustained, or at lerst must not b
condemned, by public sentiment.
By our present laws the militia is divide
into two classes, denominated the enrolle
and the uniformed militia. All persons Tia
BILE to do militia duty by the laws of tn
United States and of this state, are to be ar
nually enrolled by the listers of the severa
towns, and return is to be made Of thei
enrolment to the Adjutant and Inspccto
General. The enrolled militia is divided b
territory into regiments, brigades and div
sions, but its members as such are not liabl
to drill, muster or inspection.
The uniform militia consists of compar
les of volunteers from the enrolled militi;
of which there may be one, and under Gel
tain restrictions, two TO each regimen
These companies of volunteer militia are r.
quired to serve eight years unless sooner di