Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-10-14

Entertaining these views, and believ'
ING as do, that this law is positive
hindrance to business enterprise, which
should receive every encouragement,
respectfully recommend careful consid-
Grafton Of the subject, and that the law
be essentially modified, and stripped o.
its harsh and unjust features.
: THE JAILs.
invite your attention to the evils
our jail system. They have long been
felt aud deplored by those most CONVEX
SAINT with its workings. While it would
be manifestly impracticable to aitemp
an immediate cure of the evils, it is ye
question worthy your earnest consid-
GRAFTON, whether they may not be grad
ually ameliorated and finally abolished.
For the most part our jails are merely
houses of detention. Parties charged
with crime are confined therein, only
pending inquiry as to guilt or innocence.
PROFESSIONALLY the great evil of tho
system is in the promiscuous intercourse
of all the inmates, in a common room.
Thus are brought together the guilty
and the innocent, old and the young,
the unfortunate and the depraved. The
unchecked association is wholly perni-
cious. 1t makes the common Jail pub
lie school of vice, maintained at the pub
lie expense. An expensive instrument
ia ity for the prevention of crime, thus
becomes prolific source Of its perpet
uation. Shut up in idleness. without
books, witho religious instruction or
privileges, the vicious become more hard
ened, and the innocent corrupted. The
released victim of the system, goes back
to infict in nameless crimes upon society .
the penalty for its neglect.
Our iails should be SO constructed as
to render such intercourse impossible.
| suggest whether it would notbe well,
that the Legislature should pr scribe
the PLAZA of construction of all jails,
hereafter to be erected, or reconstructed;
and that their internal police be brought
more directly under Legislative super
vision.
THE CENSUS.
Returns of the recent census, show
small increment to our population dur
ing the last decade. 1t is probable how
ever, that under the new appointment
of Representatives in Congress, to be
made upon the Census of 1870, our State
will lose one member, and must there
fore be re-dstricted before the next Con-
gressional election. In order to avoid
the expense Of an extra session l rec
ommend such legislation, at the present
session, as shall provide for the expected
contingency.
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The Annual Reports to which no al
fusion has been made, will be submitted
for your consideration. have had no
opportunity for their proper examina-
ton.
ASSESSMENT OF TAXES.
Our system for the assessment of taxes
is defective. The amount Of personal
estate which escapes taxation, is enor-
nous. Valuations are unequal, and the
burdens Of taxation bear unequally up
on our citizens. Real estate cannot es-
cape, but personal property through the
much abused privilege Of Offset for debts
and the various shifts of evasion, and
concealment too commonly practiced, is
largely omitted from our annual lists.
AS consequence real estate is always
apprised below its true value in money,
and not seldom at less than one-third Of
such value.
1t is serious question whether offsets
for debts, should not be much restricted.
1t may be we'll to inquire whether the
evils Of the present system may not lie
at least alleviated by well considered
notifications Of our law.
COUNTRY AND STATE
| congratulate you on the condition OF
our beloved country, reunited upon the
righteous basis of universal freedom
and citizenship.
The evidences Of renewed prosperity
are abundant. While other nations are
desolated by the ravages of war, we en-
joy the the untold blessings of peace.
There are encouraging signs of add
yancment in our own State. Our pop
ulation and resources have materially
increased within the last decade, and
the probable construction, within brief
period, Of a Ship Canal connecting the
waters of Lake Champlain with the Up
Per Lakes. thus bringing Vermont in
the great highway of traffic from the
West to the Seaboard, will greatly slim.
ulate our industries and develop our re-
sources.
invoke upon the precious interests
committed to you, the Divine blessing
and upon your deliberations the guild
ance of Infinite Wisdom.
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