Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-10-19

odi' oht HuuuIcu anu lOflN-tUIcc nave
been admitted, and one hundred and thir-
ty eight discharged, of whom iifty-eight
have recovered. The present number of
patients is four hundred and thirty-six.
Agrccably to act of November II, 1859,
proposals have been solicited for printing
the Report Of the State Gcologist, which
have been responded to by different parties.
The Report, which will be presented to the
Legislature at an early day, is a document
of permanent value, and | DOUBT not the
question of printing will receive your favor
able consideration.
The Report Of the Bank Commissioner
is creditable to the management of our
state Banks, showing the souudness of our
currency, and the abundant security of bill
holders aud depostors, under any contin-
gency.
The education of youth has been Justly
regarded, by political economists Of all
civilized nations, as one of the most impor-
tant elements of national security and
prosperity; and, in all representative and
liberal governments, provision for proper
system of instruction is recognized as one
Of the first duties of the State. The cause
of Education, and especially the institution
of Common Schools, has engaged the atten-
ton and secured the active labors of our
greatest statesmen and our ablest legisla-
tors. The spirit of liberty and patriotism
which achieved our national Independence,
aud bcqucathed TO us our excellent form of
government, is referable, in no inferior de
gree, to the system of education early insli-
tuted by the fathers of New England aud
it is ouly as the youth Of the country shall
be properly instructed, moral y and intel
lectually, for the duties Of citizens, that
our free institutions, in the hands of the
coming and future generations, are to be
preserved intact.
1t is with much satisfaction that ] refer
to the practical working Of our present
school law, and to the efficiency and well
directed efforts of the Secretary Of the
Board of Education, in connection with
Teachers IN, titutes. A sound policy would
Indicate the undesirableness of any essen
tial change, until sufficient time shall have
elapsed to develop more fully the working
OF our present system.
In this connection, | desire to commend
TO your particular favor the elaborate Re
port of the Secretary, Mr.. Adams. The
mass Of statistics. the extracts from cor
respondencc with the Town Superinten-
dents, and the compendium Of the decis-
ions of the Supreme Court, in cases arising
under our school laws, Indicate great in
dustry and devotion on the part Of the
Secretary, and an amount OF labor ex-
cecding that required of any other officer
r. -, I..,
ument of great value, which should be ex-
tensiyely circulated among the citizens of
the State.
The voluntary organization of the State
Teachers Association has proved useful
adjunct to the Board Of Education and
Teachers Institutes; aud, as it embraces a
large number of experienced teachers and
friends Of education, who volunteer much
time and expense, it may be worthy OF
your consideration whether to authorize the
Board of Education to appropriate small
sum, annually, for derraying the expense
Of postage, and of printing the notices
and report, Of the Association.
Ii was well remarked by Governor Hall
in his last Executive Message that "Our
laws prohibiting the traffic in Intoxicating
liquors have become the settled and approx
ed policy of the State"
1t isquestionable whether further legisla-
ton on this subject is expcdient at the
present time, Every good citizen is pre-
snmed to be law-abiding. Still, there are
those in the community who, in violation
Of law, continue the traffic, to the deep
injury Of many families, and the demoral-
izing of many of our youth.
If further enactments are thought to he
necessary for the security and peace of
the community, it may be worthy of your
consideration whether to provide by law
that the illegal vendor of Intoxicating IL
quols shall he made responsible to injured
parties for the consequences Of his illegal
traffic
The question Of the establishment and
maintenance Of one or more Houses of Cor
rection, or Reformatory Schools, within
the State, for the employment of juvenile
delinquents and others convicted of minor
offences, is one of very grave Importance,
and which ] desire to commend to your
deliberate consideration. The experience
Of other States has shown that these in
sttutions are eminontly adapted to the
conservation of morals, and the rcclama-
ton Of those just entering upon career Of
crime.
| desire respectfully to propose for your
consideration the cxpcdiency Of providing
by law for the election, by plurality Of
votes, Of Town Representatives, and Of all
officers chosen by the General Assembly,
-as being IN conformity with the system
prevailing in most Of the states OF the
Union, aud with our own in the election
of State Senators and County Officers ~
1t is conceived that the law which requires
a majority Of votes to constitute an cleo
tiou is often productive of embarrassment,
and a needless waste of time and money,
to say nothing Of its demoralizing inllu-
once in lending to venaity in the exer-
else Of the elective franchise.
Tho Constitution of this State author
izes the organization aud aunng of its
inhabitants, for it's defence, under such re-
gulations, restrictions and exceptions, as
Congress, agreeably 10 the Constitution Of
the United States, and the Legislature of
this State shall direct" Under this pro-
vision OF the Constitution, the Legislature
has, from time to time, enacted laws for
the enrolment, organization and discipline
of the nilifin, and tho fronuanf modi6.