Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-10-14

In providing for the necessary revenues, and in
the appropriations for the ensuing two years,
would advise that provision he made to meet, at
maturity, the Sll0,5O0 Of the funded debt which
is payable December /, 1876.
Little need be said on the subject Of education
since, by common consent It's Importance is ac-
knowedged in the preservation Of virtue and
prevention of vice, and promoting in many
ways, the general peace prosperity and hap
piness Of the people, and since 1t Is univer-
sally conceded that, in order to be effectual, II
must be general among the people, and be dissem-
mated among all classes by the most efficient
agency for that purpOse-our free common schools
and that 10 perfect the system of education the
higher institutions Of learning also indspensa-
BILE all tending mutually to sustain and support
each other that all are Of public interest and con
cern and to be cared for accordingly by appropri-
ate legislation. On this subject board Of cduca-
iion may bee regarded as a part Of the settled
policy OF the state. II has done much 10 further
the cause Of education by arousing more general
interest on the subject, and otherwise.
| am not aware that any further general
legislation is necessary, or called for, In con-
nectOn with the operations of the board Of ed
ucation; II 50, it viii, probably, be suggested in
their report, To which have not had access, and
will, without doubt, receive such consideration on
your part ~ 1t deserves.
Notwithstanding the commendable libemlity
exhibited by the people Of the state in the support
Of schools in my view, we are deficient in one of
the best and which, ultimately, might be made
one Of the most economical agencies Of education
that j., public town libraries accessible to ALL In
nm economical view nm expenditure for such O
purpose is not, like most expenditures for educa-
tonal purposes consumed by the use, and to be
repeated annually, but 1t l. permanent and ser
viccable for a succession Of generations. 1t twould
furnish means Of Intellectual enjoyment In fami-
lies and thereby make home more attractive.
The tendency of such well selected library, circula-
ting among the youth Of the town, would be 10 di-
rect the tastes and habits Of the young to substan-
ta solid and useful reading, and enable them Ia
treasure mp knowledge valuable in after life II
would furnish a class Of reading consisting more
Of fact and less Of fiction, and productive Of n
higher moral and intellectual culture than much
ofthe reading that now attracts the attention Of
the young, which dsspates rather than cultivates
and Improves the mind The gradual accumula-
tion of such library in u town would scarcely be
felt by the inhabitants, except by It's wholesome
influence and lasting benefit to the old as wen as
the young. think 1t Is to be regretted that towns
do not avail themselves of the enabling act author
izing them 10 establish such libraries Whether
amy further legislation ON this subject X advisable
at this time submit for your deliberate consider
alton.
rejoice 10 see that tho interest Of agriculture,
which has always been regarded as second to none
In the state an interest Intimately identified with
the prosperity Of the state, and which must at least
for long time to come, be the business and en-
pl0yment Of the greater portion of people, is
onlistng increased interest and attention, not
only among the people, but on the part Of the
legislature. our state Is Also rich In mineral
| wealth yet to be developed, and in water-power
aifurling abundant facilities for manufacturing
| purposes, not yet utilized. These interests has,
not been, and should not be, overlooked. The
| Board Of Agriculture, Manufactures and Mining,
recently established by the Legislature, It is hoped
/ will do much by the application Of science Ia
| practical experience and by other means, 10 pro
| mote and develop these important industrial in
terests; and in this trust the Board will be aided
/ by all just and proper legislation.
| refer You Ia the report Of the Trustees of tho
] Reform SgOpDl uul In the rpnOrt Of the Suppru.
tendont for the history and operations OF the school
for the past two years, and for Information as "a
| its present condition II is evident from these re-
| ports and from other sources OF information, that
! the school is In prosperous condition, and that
! under It's excellent management, II is fully an
swering the purpose Of its creation AS u refOrna
tory institution, and as an effective agency Ia tn,
police Of the state. Ii Is stated In the report o
/ the trustees that, since the establishment Of the
school, several boys have been sent there con
Ncted Of minor, and often triiling oifenses, that
are so fecbe-minded and idOtc as Ia be- In
their opinion incapable Of committing crime,
and incapable of receiving benefit By continu.
/ ing there; and that, as the trustees have ne
power to discharge except for thorough re
1 formation, and as there can be no reform
where no capacity to do wrong exists, they cannot
discharge them. They ask that the law be 81
amended as 10 give the Trustees and Superinten-
dent power 10 discharge in such cases. | submit
whether such power ought 10 be granted, except
In connection with some other suitable provision
that the legislature at Its last session. authorized
the Trustees To purchase certain property named
in the nct-a lot with building and machinery--in
their discretion, at AN expense not exceeding If
teen thousand dollars, for the purpose of the man
ufacture Of chairs that before any purchase was
made, the building and machinery were
burned and that appropriation of $1,000
remains untouched IN the treasury. AS
to the question whether the purpose contemplated
in the act appropriating that sum should still
be carried out by the purchase Of certain
other property Of like description, refer you to
the report Of the Trustees and also 10 the report
Of the Superintendent made To them The pro
priety Of making such purchase is urged by the
Superintendent upon grounds Of economy and
profit To the state by enabling the institution, by
the labor Of the boys, the inmates, TO manufacture
chairs entire, instead of simply weaving In the
cane; and also upon the ground of making the
school more efficient in its reformatory character,
by teaching the inmates n trade that VIII afford
them means Of obtaining employment, and gain
ing a livelihood, at the critical period OF their
lives when they leave the institution. | am not
sufficiently informed TO warrant the expression Of
an opinion ON the subject, further than 10 recon-
mend that ii receive your consideration, and such
actiOR AZ your wisdom shall dictate.