Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-10-24

III SSOiohltSdl view an expenditure
for such purpose is not, like most
expenditures for educational pur-
poses, consumed by the use, and to
he repeated annually, hut it is perma-
ment and serviceable for n succession
of generations. 1t would fsrnish
means of intellectual enjoyment in
families, and thereby make home more
attractive. The tendency of su III
well selected library, circulating
among the youths of the town, would
be to direct the tastes and habits OF
the young to substantial, solid and
useful reading and enable them to
treasure up knowledge valuable in
after life. 1t would furnish class OF
reading consisting more of fact and
less of fiction, and productive of 4
higher moral and intellectual culture
than much of the reading that now
attracts the attention of the young,
which dissipates rather than cultivates
and improves the mind. The gradual
accumulation of such library in a
town would scarcely be felt by the
inhabitants, except by its wholesome
influence and lasting benefit, TO the
old as we'll as the Young. think it
is to be regretted that towns do not
avail themselves of the enabling act
authorizing them to establish such
libraries. Whether any further leg
islation on this subject is advisable at
this time l submit for your deliberate
consideration.
| rejoice to see that the interest oil
agriculture, which has always been
regarded as second to none in the
State; an interest intimately idcnti-
fed with the prosperity of the State,
and which must, at least for a long
time to come, be the business and EN-.
ployment of the greater portion OF
our people, is enlisting increased in
terest and attention, not only among
the people, but on the part of the leg.
islature. Our State is also rich IN
mineral wealth yet to be developed.
and in water-power, affording abun-
dant facilities for manufacturing pur.
poses not yet utilized. These interests
have not been, and should not be,
overlooked. The Board of Agricul
ture, Manufactures and Mining, re-
Gently established by the Legislature,
it is hoped will do much by the appll
cation of science to practical expert
ence, and by other means, to promote
and develop these important industrial
interests; and in this / trust the
Board will be aided by all just ant
proper legislation.
l refer you to the report of the trus
tees of the reform school, and to the
report Of the superintendent, for the
history and operations of the schoo
for the past two years, and for infor
nation as to its present condition. i
is evident from these reports, and
from other sources of information
that the school is in q prosperou;
condition, aud that under it's excel
len: management, it is fully answer
ing the purpose Of its creation as g
reformatory institution, and rs al
effective agency in the police Of thu
State. 1t is stated in the report o
the trustees that, since the establish
ment of the school, several boys hav,
been sent there convicted of minor
and often trifiing otfenses, that are 81
feeble minded and ldiotic as to be, il
their opinion, incapable of committing
crime, and incapable Of receiving ben
eft by continuing there; and that, Il
the trustees have no power to dis
charge, except for thorough reformo
ton, and as there can be no reforr
where no capacity to do wrong exists
they cannot discharge them. The
, ask that the law be so amended rs t
give the trustees and superintendent
t power to discharge in such cases.
: submit whether such power ought
l be granted, except in connection wit
: some other suitable provision for th
n class of unfortunate persons. 1t n
: pears that the Legislature, at its la
session, authorized the trustees
d purchase certain property named
It act-a lot with buildings and m
e chinery-in their discretion, at an G
e pense not exceeding fifteen thousar
'e dollars, for the purpose Of the man
1t facture of chairs that before any pu
lie chase was made, the building al
10 machinery were burned, and that a