Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-10-15
-hs GuYarrars' MESSAGES.

Messages from retiring Governors have
not been the rule; but a message as sensible
and useful as Governor Proctor's is a strong
argument for making them the rule. There
are reasons why Governors last message
should be his best. The retiring Governor
can write from an inside view of the State
Government and institutions. Ii he has
given to them the attention and study which
his duty demands, other things being equal
he is much better prepared TO criticize thcir
working and to suggest needed changes, thar
one just called from private cares and busi-
ness to the chief majestracy OF the Common
wealth can be- In this case the message OF
the retiring Governor embodies the views OF
a man of strong native sense and Of more
than ordinarily independent judgment, who
brought to the office Of Governor good deal
of experience in public affairs and who while
holding it has given close attention and wise
thought TO the public business and State in
stitutions. over which he was placed by
the people A document SO full of olear
information and sound suggestion, serves
increase the disgust with which so MAJ
good citizens regard the one term rule, which
compels every Governor to step down and
out, Just when lac has qualified himself to rem
der the best service in his public station
and which, in most of the towns and Coun-
ties, would as inexorably forbid the re-elec
ton of the Angel Gabriel. if they had once
secured MIN for Representative or Senator
Us that of the most ordinary mortal that ever
was sent to the Legislature.
We have no space today for reference 10
the topics discussed in Gov. Proctors mes
sage, beyond the remark that while fully i'm
pressed by, and agreeing heartily with most
his views, we are compelled to question wheth-
er the regard for economy and desire for re-
trenchment, which may almost be said to be
the animating principle of the message, is not
carried somewhat TO excess in regard TO the
Reform School. Cordially approving some of
his suggestions under this heading, we must
say that what is implied, rather than what
is said, by the Governor about the school
seem to raise the question whether on the
whole it is worth while to sustain Reform
School in Vermont. We do not believe
that the State can afford to take
the back track in that matter as we
we shall perhaps try to show hereafter
Gov. Farnham's message is also more
than ordinarily clear, comprehensive and
sensible--message, to some of the excellent
points in which we shall allude another day
The satisfactory condition Of the State
finances, the actual reduction in expenses,
and prospect of further reduction, are mat
tiers for general congratulation. Both mes
sages should be carefully read by every citi-
zen The delivery of the two substantially
occupied the day. on Thursday at the State
House; and the space occupied by them in
print will suggest to newspaper men al least
whether it would not he good plan, if re-
tring messages are to be regular thing, for
the two Governors TO prepare their messages
in concert, allotting the topics, or at least
those on which their views are concurrent,
between them, and bringing the two mes
sages more nearly within the customary
compass of single message. There would
be the less need of this suggestion, however
if we were likely often to get two such good
messages together.