Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-10-09

VIII nOl tApItfS bn ODlnlOn NJ 10 WHeLlltT "
general law should allow loans on Western mort.
cages but II they are permitted, the banks should
be required to report the amount Of such loan
separately from home loans on mortgages, 40
that depositors could know precisely the nature
OF their investments. or course in case OF q
panic or run upon bank, money coud not be
realized upon these remote mortgages as readil,
as upon home loans, nor would any showing In
regard to them pacify importunate depositors like
an exhibit of securities in their own neighbor.
hood, which they would know, or could readily
learn all about
Any laws you may see fit to enact in regard to
savings banks should be carefully considered, and
with view TO promote and extend their useful.
ness, and to strengthen the public confidence.
to which they are now well entitled by their
honest and judicious management
The Inspector of Finance seems TO have made a
thorough examination of these institutions. He
reports that in a few instances Directors Of
National Banks are Trustees OF Savings Banks
in violation Of Section 81 Chapter S6, General
Statutes, and that some Banks have exceeded the
law in the character and location of some OF theiI
investments, or in loanng to their officers 1t il
not probable that any Of these violations have
been with wrong intent, and no loss, 80 far a.
known, has resulted from them, but they ought
not to be allowed to continue and | have re-
quested the Inspector, II they are still in violation
to report the facts in each case.
The Inspector recommends a direct tax of not
more than one-half OF one per cent. on deposits in
lieu OF all other taxation This is in accordance
with the system commonly, II not universally
adopted in other States II is matter for youi
careful consideration, and commend the remarks
Of the Inspector the evils Of the present system
to your attention.
SPECIAL LEGISLATION.
It may, at first view, seem unimportant in our
state to object to this class of legislation but II Il
only by stern exclusion of every minor evil that
we can attain to the symme rcal whole of a well
regulated state. 1t is our plain duty and no in
seek can be obtained under the general law to re-
quire them to use it. The mere habit of listen
ing to the appeals of private interests is pernic
ious one in legislation. Where the immediate
case carries no direct harm with it, it may still b'
an entering wedge, or precedent for what will
prove positive wrong, We have u general rail
road law II this is not ample for the promotion
of every legitimate enterprise, let us make 1t So
We have a general enabling act allowing towns to
aid in the building of railroads II this Is to re-
main the settled policy of the state is it not the
part Of wisdom and prudence te fix upon the limit
to which this aid may be granted, and then ad-
here to it? We have also general laws for til,
organization of corporations, changing names,
and the like, to which those asking private act
for these purposes can be referred, and if the
general law is inadequate, its provisions can be
extended We have already made progress in
this matter. Compare the session laws of 1872,
1874, and 1876 The latter yearbook has only
two hundred and seven pages of private acts
against four hundred and eighty-one in the for
mer or less than one-half At the session Of
1874 over fifty bills Of this character were re-
jected, which. If passed as had been the previous
custom would have made the volume as large a.
that Of 1872 The mere cost to the state of print
ing this private matter is no inconsiderable item
As an example Of how readily improper pro-
visions in special acts escape notice in their pas
sage through the Legislature, ] will cite one act
passed Mt the last session. Three Savings Banks
were incorporated, and all of the charters con-
tanned the same restrictions to the investment
of their funds, substantially as follows: all de-
posits shall be managed and improved by loan
ing on mortgages of real estate, except TO an
amount not exceeding one-haf the amount on
deposit, which said sum may be invested in the
puychase of stocks of the United States, any OF
them, in bank stock Of any bank in this state, OF
in any city or town bonds of the New England
States, or in undoubted personal security" But
in one of these acts the words TOR otber7cjse as
the trustees shall direct " are added, thus de-
stroying entirely the force of the Limitation.
Governor Peck, whose judicial training en-
abed him to detect, at a glance, an improper pro
vision, sent to the House during the one session
of his administration four veto messages-all upon
acts of incorporation. The people of Illinois
found it necessary in 1870 tC forbid, by const
tutional provision, all ordinary classes of specia
legislation, and to declare that where genera
law can be made applicable, no special law shal
be enacted" New York and Pennsylvania have
since followed this example,
Every man who has a conscientious regard fol
pure and safe legislation would regret to see NJ
take any step backward in this matter and there
Is still room for progress in the right direction.
STATE REFORM SCHOOL.
The good management and success of this in
stitution are so well known to the people of thu
state that no special mention is needed Tht
land (about one hundred and thirty acres is o
excellent quality, but was not in good condition
when purchased Much has been done and i
being done to improve it, the boys doing all tn
labor under the direction of the farmer think
however SIM moro of tho hnys' labor might b.
employed in improving and bringing 1t to higl
state of cultivation. The labor yields but itt
(abuut fifteen cents per day. the work of seat
ing chairs, and 1t would be economy for the stat
to make the farm model of cultivation ant
production. No industry will exert good al
influence upon the wards of the state morally
| mentally and physically, AS farm labor Nom
will stand them in so good stead in after life
The Superintendent has frequently asked tina
machinery be introduced to carry on some com
plete manufacture. This would be much bette
| for the boys as it would teach them some trade
and ought to prove more profitable for the state
But mistake in this direction would prove ex
pensive, and before any action is taken the mat
ter should be thoroughly investigated by sagaciou
business men, acquainted with various industries
who will gather the experience of similar institu
tions in other states, and present facts and figures
on which the state can act UNDERSTANDING y
More room for the boys department is asked fol
| An appropriation made two years ago for
new barn, and also to afford the additional roor
required for the boys by raising the roof of tn
old clubhouse But, | understand, that afte
building the barn. the amount remaining was no
| sufficient for the contemplated changes, and wa
| used for enlargng the house occupied by tn
girls Additional room for the boys would Gel
tainly be desirable II the number is to continu
as large as at present Whenever made it wou
he true economy to do the work in a substantial
manner, with due reference to safety from fire
and to have plans submitted, with bids for til
material and construction complete, before max
| ing the appropriation
The Superintendent reports the cost for the pas
year at Sll7 30 per capita, which figures compar
favorably with those Of similar institutions i
other states.
STATE PRISON.
The reports Of the Directors and other officer
will show you-in detail the affairs of this nsttr
ton.
The officers seem to have discharged their dutie
faithfully. The Directors ask for an addition I
| the main building; and il is true there is nc
sufficient cell room for the prisoners now ther,
| A new wing was built three years since which wa
designed to be large enough to give all the rooi
| that would he required for many years To come
| The number of prisoners has increased rapid
in the last four years,-in 1874 it was eghty-fiv'
in 1876, one hundred and seventeen, aud in 1877
one hundred and seventy-six. We are no wors
off than other states in this respect as the prise
statistics of the country show that the number
| convicts in the higher prisons has nearly double
In the last six years We may, then, with SON
reason hope that the time is an exceptional one
and look with revival of business for decrea.
| of crime The Directors, in 1872 and 1874, in the
reports oppose the policy of sentencing convic
for minor offences and short terms to the Prisol
and their view is obviously correct.
The workhouse has seventy-eight cells Il
males, and might keep some more in less secul
quarters-about one hundred in all This will r
lieve the prison somewhat, and II there is no il
crease in crime perhaps sufficiently,
The prison grounds embrace about three aer'
OF land, and large part of this is covered by Il
buildings From their location and arrangemel
with reference to each other, any plan for an az
dition needs to be very carefully matured an
with the greatest possible foresight as to the pro
able future policy and requirements of the stat
with reference to the prison.
In this connection, and at the risk of beir
charged with trenching upon ground outside N
proper limits, mnst refer TO the pernicious an
growing custom of filling many state offices, au
especially those having charge of these state il
stitutions, from among the members of the Gener
Assembly. Such choice is wisely forbidden
the constitutions OF some states The evils whiC
result from this course here during the sessiC
can be readily understood and appreciated witho
mention, and will refer only TO those lessor ON
affecting the institutions themselves and the e
pense of supporting them. They are great bus
ness enterprises, costing the state large su
yearly, and should be conducted in busine
way We need in their management the be
judgment, technical knowledge and experien
that the whole state Affords and TO fill the
offices in any other way is an expensive mistak
They are, however, too often distributed as pc
sonal or political rewards. We sometimes cham
all the officers at the same time Every new $
of officers wish TO mark their term OF office
some departure from the course of their pred
cessors.
A wiser system would secure greater econom
better discipline, and more permanent and co
tinnng policy in our administration OF these /