Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-10-11


view, be creating rowing commission, witt
powers and duties which, if warrantable, cal
be better entrusted to local authorities, ant
one the ultimate expenses OF which We car
not estimate.
call your attention to the increase in til,
number of 'public" patients, and conse
quent increase of expense to the State, n
given in the report of the trustees Th'
number was 233 in 1912, and 295 now
while there has been a corresponding de
crease in the private" class from 273 at tn
former period to 1Gi at the present time
These figures are certainly suggestive, and
recommend careful examination of the sub
ject of State aid to see if its privileges are no
abused. 1t is in accordance with our genera
policy. and manifestly the part of wisdom
not to assume duties and obligations which
can be properly left with towns.
The commission appointed by Governor
Fairbanks not having yet made their report
Twill not at this time make any suggestion,
upon matters likely to receive their atten
tion.
am glad to call your attention to the abb,
report of the Superintendent. The weigh
OF authority which his experience gives him
as well as the Importance of the subject
should insure careful consideration of the
ten specific recommendations which ht
makes. The third seems to be proper
safeguard against unlawful payment of pub
lie money. Whether the fifth, sixth and
seventh would produce in all localities the
beneficial results sought for may admit Of
question. Whatever action you may take Oh
the subj ect of education, it is desirable tc
give, as much as possible, a character of per-
manency to our policy.
| DIVORCE.
l call your attention to the statutes regula.
ting divorce. The family relation is an in
stitution upon which rests the moral and
political well-being of people. and should
be stable and permanent in its character.
Under our present statutes, party who
claims to have suffered by a breach of the
marriage covenant in other governments or
in distant States, may come into this State
and. after q brief sojourn, sue for a divorce
and often causes for divorce are alleged which
would be unavailing in the jurisdiction
where they occurred.
| l commend this subject to your careful
consideration. and submit to your Judgment
whether the interests of the people would
not be subser,ed by making the marriage
covenant indissoluble except for those grave
and flagrant crimes which necessarily put an
end to the sanctity and purity of the mar
riGge relation. Whether degree of Sepdra-
ton should not be granted for sufficient
causes. which should regulate the custody
of children and the apportionment of prop
erty and whether longer residence should
not be required. and greater safeguards pro-
| vided against fraudulent divorces.
AGRICULTURE.
l should speak of our Agricultural inter-
CT Nd ha nf ha I'd
| permitted. but your understanding of the
whole subject is SO complete as to render it
| unnecessary.
The militia force of tho State consists of
one Regiment of Infantry and one Battery
of Artillery, the units of organization of
these arms of the service. The force is in q
high state of efficiency in every respect, and
there can be no question that tho interests
of the State require that it be kept so. Be-
sides the necessity for q small force in every
State, We owe some duty to the general gov
ernment, which has contributed SO literally
arms and munitions. to hold ourselves in
readiness to respond to her call if required
The State bears in reality but small part OF
the expense. The heavy share falls upon the
members themselves, and much has been
borne by private contributions, or has come
from other sources than taxation.
REVISION OF THR STATUTES.
The question of revision of the Statutes
will, no doubt, come before you. They are
now much scattered. and to bring them to-
gether without revision, would make book
altogether too unwieldy. The work cannot
be long postponed, aud it may be well to
provide tor it at the present session.
UNITED STATES SENATOR.
The national law requires that you proceed
on the second Tuesday of the session to the
election of Il United States Senator, for six
years from the fourth day of March next, at
which time the term Of one of our senators
expires.
NATIONAL AFPAIRs.
The earnest efforts of our National Execu-
tive to remove the civil service from the
arena of politics. to secure better admin
istration of the business affairs of the nation /;
to establish higher sense of official duty,
and to insure the same standard of conduct
in public which govern men in private life
must be productive of much good. This
course cannot fail to accomplish great direct
results to exert n salutary influence upon
all State and municipal governments, and to
give a healthier tone to the whole political at
mosphere. In support and approval of such
beneticent measures all true lovers of their
country can heartily unite.
The SONS of Vermont rallied to the defence
of the Nation in her hour of need. We
thought the country worth preserving at any
cost of life and treasure. The lives were
freely given, and now we shall not shrink
from the full discharge of every other obliga-
ton. Vermont will not lower her standard
of honor. nor under a delusive hope for pres
ent ease sacrifice future financial stability
The present state of affairs is the neces-
sary result of the war with Its attendant in
hation and extravaganza. The doctrine that
a return TO the causes of our present ills.
will cure them, need no refutation. There is
no other remedy but retrenchment and rigid
economy in national, State, municipal and
individual expenses. But it is mistake to
suppose that the evils of hard times fall upon
any one class or condition of men, and pass
by others.
Let no man, then. seek to build up class
distinctions which have no real foundation.
or to excite iancied conflict of interests l
say fimcied, for no real one exists or can ex-
ist among Us. 1t is a time above all others
to learn the lesson OF our mutual depend
ence. We cannot legislate universal pros
perity, though unwise laws may greatly re-
tard its coming. Honest labor, and that
firm adherence to justice, moderation,
temperance, industry and frugality," which
our State constitution enjoines. are the best
remedies for the evils of the hour.
Our gratitude for the continued blessings
of health within our own borders is tempered
with sorrow for the affliction of our fellow
men at the South We have differed with
them in the past We have felt their prowess
on many hard fought field, and returned
blow for blow. We See them now in their
present fearful trial display fortitude and
devotion which command our admiration
and enlist our sympathy. They are our
No matter now what our past
strifes have been, the more earnest We were
in contention, the quicker and stronger will
the manly heart be touched at their calamity,
and the more promptly come to their relief.
Let them receive our deep sympathy and
such continued material aid ms they may
need, and let our petitions join with theirs
that the deadly march of the pestllence may
be stald.
IN CONCLUSION.
Gentlemen. let me earnestly request you |
to prepare and introduce your measures
early, in order that they may be properly |
matured III the hurrying hours at the close
of a session there is no opportunity for this,
and mary measures fail for want of time to |
consider and perfect them. The growing |
evil of frequent adjOurnments for two or
three days Is every way reprehehsiole. IL
not only costs the State large sum in the
direct loss of time but it distracts attention
and breaks up the current of business. The
same faithful attention to our duties here
which We should give to our affairs at home
or require from those i'll our employ. Is the
only rule to apply. Avoiding then, every
unnecessary delay let US exercise u diligent
spirit in the despath of business, and ut the
same time, shun that undue haste SO danger
ous in legislation.
And in all our efforts let US reverently ac-
our dependence upon the Su
Preme Author of all law. and seek His guild
ance. that the result of our deliberations may
accord with the immutabe principles which
lie has laid down, without which our labors
will be i'll vain.
REDFIELD PROCTOR,
Executive CHAMBER,