Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-10-13
prepared to go to the foundation and adapt that
TO bear the load

those whose parents cannot provide for them at
Perkins institution for the blind, American asy-
lum and Clarke institute for deaf mutes, and the
Massachusetts, school for idiotic and feeble-mnded
youth. The present law appropriates the follow
ing amount for these purposes, to be used at the
discretion Of the governor For The b, o deal and
ing total of Sll 600 per annum, available for
these objects. The total appropriation is suffi-
cent for present needs, and more than there has
yet been occasion to use. larger proportion,
however. is liable to be needed for the deaf and
dumb. II might be well to provide for a total APP
Precipitation of 81 900 per annum, same as now,
but allow the governor to divide this between the
deaf and dumb, blind and idiotc, az circum-
stances require. The different schools containing |
benefciaries from state, report them all as
doing well, some considerably above the average. |
DIVORCES.
am glad to call your attention to the favorable |
operation Of the law of the last session in re- |
straint of divorces. For the year 1879, the first |
year under the new law, the number OF divorces |
was less than two thirds Of that of 1878 and less
than any year since 1865. The ratio of divorces |
to marriages is only one in twenty one and five
tenihs for 1879 while ii was one in fourteen in
1878. This brings Vermont to the head of the
New England states in this respect, and ! trust
our legislation may be such as to at least keep us
in this position.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE SURRENDER
OF CoRSwALLIs AT YORKTOWN
An organization, formed in the first instance by
requested all the states to join with them in APP
pointing committee of one from each state TO
make proper arrangements Tor the celebration oil
this anniversary In accordance with this request,
| appointed General, now ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS,
John l.. Barstow IA the member of the committee
from this state Congress has appropriated one
hundred thousand dollars for a monument and
twenty thousand dollars towards the expenses OF
the celebration. Governor Barstowa report Will
no doubt be laid before you.
...., 800. ,..x,,yug nu nm.
TREATY OF PEACE, AND THE BECoGNI-
TIoN or AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
Under the act Of congress providing for this an
niversary by a national exhibition in the city OF
New York in the year 1888, nominated the Hon.
Jacob Estey and General Perley T. Pitkin as
commissioners and the Hon. John b. Page and
Colonel John b, Mead alternate commissioners
on the part of Vermont and the president of the
United states made the appointments in accord
ance with the provisions OF the act
HUNTINGDON WILL CASE.
This cause was heard on the evidence taken on
commission in Vermont, New York and Mich-
gan, and decree made sustaining the will in
every respect save as to the devise Of the real
estate valued at about $4,000, which is void I'M
der the old English statute OF mortman The
plaintiff appealed the case. On the lith of Sep
tember last, it was argued before the court of APP
| peals at Toronto Judgment was reserved, but
the solicitors are very confident that the decree
will be sustained, and that the delay in the final
|
and desire on the part OF the court to have on
record a carefully prepared decision as the legal
| points raised are of great Importance, and 1t is
| likely TO be a leading case 10 this branch OF the
law 1t is expected that about $4,000 will be
realized to the state, the income to be used for
| the support Of schools.
MILITIA.
There is very natural feeling, but think
mistaken one at every session, that a militia
/ force maintained in time Of peace IN q needless
| In m il " rise
for the state TO be without some force organized
and equipped for service at any moment We
| cannot well have smaller force, as we now have
| only the unit of organization OF infantry and ar
tilery | called them together at this time, that
YOU might have the better opportunity to Judge
by personal inspection of their drill and eili-
cheney, and to decide what the interests of the
state require.
WAR HISTORY.
joint resolution Of the last session author
lied and instructed me to appoint state historian
to prepare for publication history OF the part
taken by Vermont in the rebellion. accordingly
appointed Hon. G. G. Benedict. But the resolu-
! ton not having been submitted to me for sigma
ture, there no constitutional appropriation OF
money and Mr.. Benedict decided that he could
not supply the means to push the work to COM
pletion, although willing to go on with the col
lection of material. The resolution OF course
pledges the faith OF the state TO pay him for his
services and expenses | presume my successor
will present this matter to you refer to it to call
your attention to the subject of legislation by
joint resolution, of which there is more or less at
every session. At the last session six other res
olutons making appropriations were adopted
Three were sent to me for signature, and so have
the force of law, and three were not. The prac-
tice is a perncious one. Every legislative act
ought to have the safeguards Of the usual read
iDgs and reference.
RAILROAD COMMISSIONER.
This office has been of very little account for
many years, except to the holder The present
commissioner has, believe, done the very best in
his power to fulfill his duty and make the office
Of some practical benefit to the state, but can ac-
complish little rs the laws now stand. We ought
to have good railroad commission and pay for
it, or have none, The present law is an anomaly.
IN CONCLUSION.
II what have said seems to be in the line of
criticism and OF pointing out errors and defects,
let IL not be misunderstood. Weare in the main
a well-regulated state. The evils that exist are
oftener the consequence OF too much legislation
than otherwise, and have crept in under changes,
good In purpose and partially so in results, but
not working as a harmonious whole.
Official corruption is almost unknown, and
compared with other states we present good
record of prudence and economy. But the con-
ditions favorable here To surpass all our sister
, states. With few large towns and few waste
places with people intelligent, honest and fru-
gal, free from the extremes of wealth and pow
erty self-reliant, homogeneous in blood and faith
and character; proud of their state, lovers OF
their country and of law and order search the
world over and spot cannot be found where less
of the machinery of government is required. II
will almost run itself But while there is room
for improvement, it is work to which every leg
islator should devote himself. 1t is not a ques.
} ton Of party, but of common honesty and good
citizenship In which all true men should join II
, is in your hands and may the Almighty bless
your labors. REDFlELD PROCTOR.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
! Montpelier, October 6, 1880.
, The joint assembly then dissolved and the hous'
, was then called To order,
The speaker announced AS reporters OF th'
house Mr.. Henry Oviatt Of Montpelier and Mr.
Edward Dana OF Rutland.
I Mr., ELY-GoDDARD Of Ely moved that thu
house adjourn; carried.
. Senate-Afternoon