Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-10-13

This unfortunate class are peculiarly the
wards OF the state. Bereft of reason, and
frequently of friends, the state will be der
elicit in duty if its guardianship be not gen.
erous active and viglant. l have read the
report Of the commissioner with interest.
1t is apparently thoughtful aud carefully
prepared document. | commend it to your
careful perusal and study. The facts and
deductions therein stated are startling. |
have not sufficiently examined, and are not suf-
tcently familiar WITH the facts and crcum-
stances either to adopt or deny the cOnclu-
sions OF the commissioner. lfhis conclusions
are well founded, there is imperative need
of immediate legislative action. That the
number of insane under treatment and need.
ing relief should have steadily, year by year,
increased from the foundation of the asylum
while the population of the state has remained
comparatively stationary, is a matter that
challenges attention aud inquiry into the
causes of the increase. May you carefully
consider this important subject, ascertaining
as nearly as possible the exact facts as to the
relative increase or decrease Of insanity in
our own state, and other parts of the country,
and may your action in the premises be wise
aud Just to tho asylum, to the state, and,
above all, to these unfortunate wards Of the
state. | commend to your consideration
the suggestions Of the commissioner with
reference to the enactment Of safeguards
against improper commitments, both to the
prison and to the county jails.
State Reform school.
1t is pleasure to turn from the prison to
the consideration of this topic. Although
not personally acquainted with its operation
and working, from all sources | hear it com.
mended as a reformatory institution. The
credit of it success is due to the wise and
considerable action of former legislatures, to-
gsther with the faithful and efficient man
agement of the officers Of the institution.
You need not be urged to aid by all needed
legislation in perfecting and developing the
great work so auspiciously entered upon.
The reports of the trustees and the superin-
tendent fully inform us as to tho condition
Of the institution, its wants aud requirements.
would recommend the making Of all APP
preparations necessary to carry out any judi
cious plans which they may have suggested
| venture to suggest whether it would not
be wise in all alterations and engagements
to have in view the furnishing facilities for
dividing the inmates into classes, so as to be
able to classify them according to the degree
of discipline or correctional treatment re-
quired.
Mining.
The secretary's report, with the accom- :
panying papers, will inform you Of the work
accomplished during the past two years. Its
work has thus far been confined to fostering
the interests Of agriculture. This doubtless
has resulted from the fact that agriculture
is the most prominent and general interest.
The board is concerned with the three great
industrial pursuits Of the state. Each OF
these industries is essential to, and more or less
dependent upon the others for its best devel-
opment, and should be judiciously encouraged
aud iostered by the state. think that
these interests are sufficiently important to
warrant the continued employment of a ju-
dicious and properly qualified secretary
that in collecting and arranging facts aud
statistics, making experiments, holding public
meetings suggesting the best methods and
bringing them to the attention Of the people,
he can find ample work which can be done
probably in the interest Of the state.
would recommend larger appropriation
than is asked for by the board, whose ex.
peudituro should be guarded by suitable leg.
islation; aud also that the state geologist,
whose official duties lead him to a consider.
alton of the mines aud minerals in the state,
DO made an &c oBici0 member Of the board.