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

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at the same time provide for its practical
efficiency and discipline.
In compliance with the Act of Nov. 81,
1859, the Quarter Master General has dis
posed of certain arms and military prop
erty belonging to the State, and made pur-
chases Of military equipments, Of which
transactions he will make report to the
Legislature.
In the early part of the present year,
much alarm was created in Massachusetts,,
and other parts Of New England, in con
sequence Of the appearance Of the cattle
0-pHemONia,-a il being
q well attcstcd fact that the disease is
both contagious and infections, and in most
cases fatal. fears were Justly entertained
that it might spread into other parts, and
become general throughout the country.
The Legislature of Massachusetts, at its
special session, convened for the purpose,
enacted laws providing for the isolation of
herds supposed to have been exposed to
the coutagion and prohibiting the exporta-
tion or importation of cattle, except under
certain restrictions and provisions. The
subject has also enlisted the attention Of
the Legislatures of Connecticut and New
Hampshire
1t is not known that any cases of the dis
ease have occurred in this State and it
has been checked, if not entirely eradcat-
ed, in Massachusetts, where it first appear
ed. 1t may be doubted whether any spe-
cal legislation is expcdient at the pres
cnt time, touching this subject, except it be
to provide for sanitary regulations by the
selectmen of towns. when authorized by
vote Of their respective towns.
1t is a matter of congratulation that in
every part Of the State is seen the evidence
of thrift and prosperity. 1t is observable
among all classes Of our citizens, and in
all our industrial interests but the remark
is especially applicable to the department
of Agriculture.
From an abstract of the seventh United
States Census, it appears that in 1850,
there were in this state, two million six
hundred and one thousand four hundred
and nine acres Of improved land,-a guam
tity exceeding that of any other New Eng
land State; and that our agricultural pro-
ducts for that year exceeded in quantity
those of any of the same States, in the ar
/ ticles of live stock, butter, cheese, wool,
wheat, oats potatoes, hay. and a variety
.
as shown by that census, was twelve mil
lion six hundred forty-three thousand two
hundred twenty-eight dollars, and the ag-
gregate of farming productions for that
year, shows a valuation, including live
stock, of about twenty-five millions Of dol
lars, being nearly equal to eighty dollars
for each individual of our population.
The well known industry of our citizens,
engaged in agricultural pursuits, and the
capabilities of our soil, have been made
available for increasing the amount Of these
products, under the stimulus of augmented
prices, consequent upon the opening of rail
way communication with the markets 1t
may therefore be assumed that this depart
ment Of industry has not only maintained
its relative Importance, but that il has,
during the intervening years, since the
above date, experienced constant and
healthiul growth and increase still it is
conceived that it is capable of far greater
development, and much more abundant
increase.
Vermont is essentially an Agricultural
State The great body of its citizens are
engaged in agricultural pursuits. The
salubriousness Of its climate,-the richness
/
structure, adapt it to the cultivation Of the
most essential and profitable crops, and to
the successful prosecution Of cattle and
sheep husbandry. Other important inter
ests exist, and are successfully prosecuted
but it is to this, essentially, that we are to
look for the most marked and healthy
growth Of the State in wealth and prosper
ity.
In the exercise Of that fostering care
which il becomes the Legislature ever TO
maintain over the industrial interests of the
State, ! respectfully invite your attention
to the question of providing for an Agri-
cultural Bureau, or Board of Agriculture (;
having for its object the collection of sta
tistical and other information relating to
Agriculture, to be embraced in annual re-
ports, for distribution throughout the State.
II is not desirable that such department
should be made expensive TO the State.
Little need be required except to provide
for the salary of its corresponding Sccreta-
ry and the publication of its reports.
Our manufacturing interests, though not
extensive, are prosperous and increasing +;
but next in Importance to our agricultur-
al pursuits. as a source of wealth and
hlANNiidi h'NNApIHNht, hiul w ltShOhph
our quarres of marble, slate and soap
stone. These quarries, inexhaustihle in
quantity and unsurpassed in quality, re-
manned unavailable, except to a limited
extent, until developed and brought into
contguity with the markets by our rail
ways They are now being extensively
. worked, by responsible and enterprising
companies, which find ready and an in
creasiug market for their productions in va
rious parts Of the United States.
On the subject of National Politics, the
people of Vermont have ever held high
aud conservative postion;
Veneralng the Constitution as the pal
ladium of our civil rights, and yielding al
ways implicit obedience TO all laws which
do not controvert its plinciplcss,- s,--they
will never submit to cncroachments upon
its high prcrogatiyes, nor yiold assent to
those modern theories which distort its
meaning, and controyert the opinions Of
the fathers of the Republic-its early ex-
Founders:
Warmly attached Ia The Union of the