Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-10-30
Letters from the Capitalize. 8
MONTPELIER, Oct. 26, 1868.

ItnlS, was uOL productive VI iuuCh new
business nor of much advancement O
THAT which was already begun. The
main business transacted on the first day
of reassembling was the election of I
Sergeant. at Arms, and the canvassing o.
the votes for county officers. Gilman b
Dodge was reelected Sergeant-at-Arms
Notwithstanding vigorous effort to de-
feat him. His friends were united, while
his opponents were divided, and he was
elected on the first ballot.
A. very large audience assembled at the
State House on Tuesday evening to at
tend the anniversary Of the Vermont
Historical Society. This society, which,
tor several years, has been steadily grow
| ing in popular favor, continues to receive
numerous accessions Of members, and
valuable donations of books, pamphlets,
and newspapers and is now making
preparation to publish at an early day 4
volume of historical papers, winch will
show that its labors have been wisely di.
rected TO secure the profit as we'll as to
crafty the tastes not only of its members
but of the people at large. Two adj
dresses were delivered before the society
this year. The first, by Gen. j. Watts
De Peyster of Tivoli, N. Y, was upon
l"Secession in Switzerland" in 1871
Many remarkable points of resemblance
TO secession in America were traced
The address showed that the speaker bad
read extensively in history and in mill
ltary science, and it was delivered with
great vigor aud earnestness. The other
address was by Hon. WinsIow G. Wat
son of Port Kent, N. Y, who dseoursed
of the Life and Public Services Of Rich
ard Skinner, formerly Governor Of Yer
mont, and brought to light many fact
with which the public in general were
previously unacquanted. Hon. Hiland
Hall was reelected President Of the So.
ciety, and nearly all the former officers
were also re~elected.
Educational matters are occupying
much more time and attention than are
generally bestowed upon them in the le.
gislature. The most important question
of this kind, il not the most important
of all questions pending before this body,
relates TO the junction or consolidation Of
the three colleges. The desirableness OF
such a junction has long been apparent
1t is not possible TO support three or even
two colleges in Vermont, so as to make
them really Furnishing institutions. But
the difficulties arising from inveterate 10
cal feelings and attachments have Away
presented an insuperabIe barrier to q
union. Now, however, there seems to
be, what has been we'll called "a golden
and glorious opportunity" The United
States in July, 1862, granted to Vermont
State, large tracts of land, estimated to
be worth from hundred and fifty thou
sand to two hundred thousand dollars, foi
the purpose of establishing a military
and agricultural college. A college EN-,
dowed with this fund would command re
spect and secure permanent continuance.
The great practical question to be an
swered is-"can the existing colleges be
united and with them be combined The
military and agricultural departments,
forming one grand university, worthy the
admiration and the support of all Yer
monters p
II the question can be answered il
The affirmative, new era will surely
dawn upon the collegiate interests of the
State. Some Of the best minds in th
State are giving their most earnest atten'
ton TO the subject. 1t was largely dis
cussed in the Governors Message. The
Secretary of the Board of Education
treated il in his report. The Commit,
tees on Education in the two Houses are
specially charged with the consideration
of it, The presidents of the three col
.eges, members of the college corpora
tons, and leading friends Of education
from various parrs Of the state, have been
hele during this week, for consultation
and discussion, in hope that by their uni
ted wisdom some plan may be devised
that shall overcome the many and very
serious practical difficulties which every
one sees to exist, and secure the "consum.
nation SO devoutly to be wished" Last
Tuesday evening meeting was held Al
the State House, under the auspices 81
the Board Of Education, to elicit expires
sions Of opinion from various Sources
1t was addressed by the three presidents,
all Of whom, while admitting q most ar
dent attachment TO their several institu-
tons, expressed an entire willingness to
sacrifice their own feelings and interest,
for the sake of the great good which