Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-10-13
Extracts from the inaugural Address Of
Gov. Fairbanks.

Gentlemen Of the Senate and the House
OF Representatives In entering upon the
legislative duties and responsibilities imposed
by the constitution, it is it and proper, es-
pecially in this centennial year Of our ma
tional existence and nearly completed cen.
fury OF the existence Of our state under a
constitutional government, that our hearts
should be filled with thankfuness and graf.
itude to the Author of all blessings, not only
for the general health, peace and prosperity
which He has graciously vouchsaled during
the past two years. but also for the iunumer-
able blessings which have attended our entire
existence as state. &c The biennial
reports Of the state Off GERS having in charge
particular departments Of the public service
will fully inform you Of the present condition
Of the important affairs of the state. The
suggestions and recommendations of these
officers who have become familiar with the
necessities and workings Of their respective
departments, deserve, and no doubt will 70.
ceive, your careful consideration. -.
Education.
The Importance of this interest cannot be
overestimated. More than 10000 children
are in process Of training 10 the schools of
the state Their veal or woe is largely do.
tcrmined by the character of the schools
which they attend These children are soon
to give character to the state and other
states. The state can better afford TO neg
lect any other interest than this, which is so
closely allied to her welfare and destiny.
Free institutions cannot long exist among n
people characterized by ignorance and vice.
Intelligence and virtue are the bulwarks Of
all free government. The pecuniary interests
connected with education are very large.
The direct taxes raised annually for this
purpose amount to nearly 100000. But
this sum represents hardly 1.-THE of what
the people Of the tate annually expend TO
educate their children. There must be ad.
ded large sum paid for text books, and
a many times larger sum for the board, cloth.
ing and time of the children. But the pc.
cuniary interests connected with the public
schools dwlndle in Importance into insignif.
canoe, when compared with the habits and
characters which are there being acquired.
A thoroughly intelligent and virtuous peo.
| pie, Injured to habits Of self.control and per-
severance, are invincible everywhere, whether
in the world of mind or matter. 1t is not
so much the amount of money which we OK.
pend as the character which we give to the
public schools that is all.important. Almost
any expenditure of money, whether for the
better superintendent Of the public schools,
or for securing the hearty cooperation and
interest Of the parents and guardians, or fol
training and bringing into the service more
experienced and better qualified teachers, il
it only serves to elevate the character Of the
public schools and give to the State more in,
telligent, virtuous and persevering citizens
is economical aud judicious. If it fail Il
secure these results the expenditure is waste
full. trust that this interest, whether il
relates to the public schools or the higher
institutions Of learning, will receive youl
careful consideration. The report of thu
state superintendent will inform you Of the
work done during the past two years.
commend his recommendations for Legislation
to your consideration. 1t seems to me that
an economical and efficient management OIL
this great interest requires q uniformity o.
text books throughout the state aud thai
there should be secured decrease and con
solicitation Of the number of small schools
which are usually intrusted to young aud
inexperienced, not to say unqualified, teachers
My predecessors recommendation of the os
tablishment Of town libraries most heartily
indorse, not alone as means Of education
for the young, but also as a means Of contin
uing the work OF education aud culture among
those who arc engaged in the active pursuit
OF life, and as source of soace to declining
years.
| The Insane.