Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-10-13

three weeks before the session OF the legislature,
and copies furnished the retiring and incoming
governor, or to furnish manuscript copy to both
as early as the time named
STATE LIBRARY, CABINET AND HISTORICAL
SOCIETY,"
Four years ago the legislature became satisfied
that something must be done to extend the ac-
commodatons of the above-named collections
and by joint resolution directed the governor to
appoint commissioners to report upon the sub
ject at the next session. Such report was made
two years ago, but the legislature took no action
upon it, | call your attention to it at this time a.
being subject well worthy your consideration
Something must be done very soon, or the state
will lose many valuable books and documents
that cannot be replaced. II the plan proposed by
the commissioners il not satisfactory, some other
plan ought to be devised and acted on without
further delay. Any plan will involve large ex-
pense, and each new legislature hopes to transfer
the responsibility to its successor. In the end
this will prove to be very poor economy
UNITED STATES SENATOR
The term of service of the Hon George +. Ed
munds in the United States senate Will expire in
1881, and before another session of the state leg
slature. Your attention is called to the neces-
sity of electing at the present session OF the leg
islature successor for the six years ensuing the
expiration of his term.
RE-DlsrRICTING THE STATE,
The census of the state just completed shows
the population of the state, according to the re-
port of the supervisor for the district Of Vermont,
as published in the newspapers, to be 332, 6lS,
which is gain of ,097 since the census of 1870
Should there be a change in the representation in
congress, as is likely to be the case, and the pro-
portion of the population to be represented by
each member Of the house of representatives be
increased, Vermont would lose one OF her repre-
sentatives in congress- and that would necessitate
a re-ditricting Of the state. This probably be-
longs to you to provide for, as the change in the
representation will undoubtedly be made before
the regular session of the general assembly in
1889.
II you should think that this matter has not
been sufficiently considered by the people, the
subject OF re-distrctng might be left to the next
legislature, provided you, by some proper act of
legislation, postpone the next election of mem
bers of congress until the legislature of 1882 can
have acted upon the subject In that case the
action of congress will he definitely known before
any action of the legislature need be taken.
Otherwise the action of the present legislature
must be simply provisional.
CONCLUSION.
When we look back over the history of our
state for the past two years we find many causes
for thankfulness We have notably escaped the
great scourges of mankind, war, pestence and
famine. We have been at peace within our bor-
ders and the country at large has been at peace
with the nations of the world; no great epidemic
has swept through our state abundance has
crowned the labors of the husbandman, and re-
warded the industry of the artisan. Let us meet
in devOut spirit OF thankfulness to the Maker OF
all things, and perform our responsible duties in
spirit of reverence to him, and OF strict obedi-
ence to his laws. ROSWE ELL FARNllAM.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
Montpelier, VT, October T. 1880. !
The joint assembly then dissolved and the sen.
ate retired
on motion of Mr.. HUBBARD of Plymouth the
house adjourned.