Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-10-21
MESSAGE.
EeiioW Citteens of the Senate
and House of ReDi

and House Of Representatives.
The circumstances under which we are
assembled to perform the labors and duties /.
Of State legislation ] am happy in beliey-
ing, are not of an unpleasant character.
During the past year the earth has yielded
its accustomed store of agricultural pro
auctions, our people have been blessed
with a common measure of health, and
their business transactions and prospects
have undergone marked and decided inn
provement The general business interests
OF the state, indeed, appear to be in a
healthy and prosperous condition
We meet also for the first time in the
new State cdilice, and can hardly fail to
be iayorably and agrceably impressed with
its fine proportions and the beautiful style
Of its finish, and also with the convenience
of its arrangements, and the appropriate
fitness Of its furniture and appendages.
The building is indeed noble and impos-
ing structure, and we may justly be proud
of it as our State Capitol. congratulate
you on its completion, and | doubt not you
will concur with me that much credit is
due to those who have been concerned in
its erection, as well for the rapidity with
which the work has been pushed forward,
as for the neat and substantial manner in
which it appears to have been executed.
! trust we shall enter upon our legisla-
tive labors in a Just and commendablc spir-
it, and with determination TO bring them
to as speedy close as the interests aud
welfare of the State will permit.
STATE FINANCES.
The condition Of our State finances will
require, and will no doubt receive, your
careful consideration.
think it my duty to call your attention
to the fact, appearing by the Auditors
Report, that the State expenditures during
the past political year have considerably
exceeded the accruing revenue. Such has
also been the case for several years past,
requiring the adoption of a more rigid sys
TEN OF economy, or resort to additional
taxation, or both, in order to avoid the
necessity of creating new State debt.
am not disposed to recommend parsimo-
NOUS course of legislation in regard to
proper objects appropriation, but deem
it worthy Of consideration whether some
OF our State expenses may not be reduced
without violating the principles of a judi
cious economy.
CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS.
Among the expenditures which, think
deserve legislative consideration, are those
connected with prosecutions for crime il
the several counties. An examination OF
the Auditors Reports for the present and
former years will show that the expenses
in this branch of the public service are
large, and that they have been constantly
increasing for several years past without
an apparent corresponding increase in le-
Ultimate criminal business. The account,
Of states attorneys, sherfls, clerks anc
others, connected with these expenditures
are adjusted by county auditors appointed
10y the supreme court, and they are fan
from following uniform system Of allow.
ances. Charges which would be discarded
In some counties as illegal, would be allowed
in others, and for the like service different
rates of compensation are permitted by
different auditors, some of them apparent
ly Of an improvident character. ii seem.
Indispensable that these accounts should'be
adjusted in the several counties, and per
haps the present system is liable TO as few
objections as any that could be adopted
But 1t is respectfully submitted for YOU
consideration whether it may not be i'm
proved by further legislative regulation
As one means of accomplishing this object
i would suggest that the State Auditor be
required TO report TO the General Assembly
during the first week in each session. ,
statement of the allowances which hay,
been made by the several county auditors
during the preceding political year. whicl
in his opinion are either illegal or exces
siye in amount, together with such sug
gestions as he shall deem proper for pro
ducing more just and uniform allowance,
Such requirement Of the State Auditor
1t is believed, would operate as a checl
upon improper allowances, and by bring
ing the subject annually to the attention o
the legislature, would enable them to appl
the proper remedy for any evils that should
from time 10 time, be found to exist.
In connexion with provision of thi
kind, would also recommend that all fee
whatever to states attorneys, for their SCI