Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-10-15
NO. ~.


Our state hns no home institutions for the
education Of children who are blind, deaf aud
dumb, or idotic but IL makes ample provis-
ion for those whose parents cannot provide
for them at Perkins institution for the blind,
American asylum and Clarke institute for
deaf mutes, and the Massachusetts, school for
idiotic and feeble minded youth. The pres
ent law appropriates the following amounts
for these purposes, to be used at the discre-
tion of the governor. For the deaf and dumb,
| 81, 600; blind, $4,000; idiotic, 81, 900; max
ing total of S1l 900 per annum, available
for these objects The total appropriation is
sufficient for present needs and more than
there has yet been occasion to use. larger
| proportion, however is liable to be needed
| for tho deaf and dumb. 1t might be well to
provide for total appropriation of 81, 900
| per annum, same as now, but allow the gov
| ernor to devide this between the deaf and
dumb, blind and idiotic, as circumstances re-
| quire. The different schools containing ben
| efciaries from our state, report them oil rs
doing well, some considerably above the nv
! erage
DIVORCES
am glad TO call your attention to the ia
yorable operation of the law of the last ses-
sion in restraint 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 1875 and less than any year since
1865. The ratio OF divorces to marriages is
| only one in twenty-one and fve-tenths for
1879, while it was one in fourteen in 1873.
! 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 CORVALLIS AT YORKTOWN.
An organization, formed in the first in
stance by the governors of the original thr-
teen colonies, requested all the states to join
with them in appointing a committee of one
| from each state to make proper arrangements
for tha celebration of this anniversary. In
accordance with this request, 1 appointed
| General, now Lieutenant Governor, John l..
| Barstow as the member of the committee
from this state. Congress has appropriated
one hundred thousand dollars for monu-
ment and twenty thousand dollars towards
the expenses of the celebration. Governor
Barstows report will no doubt be laid before
you.
| THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANEIvERsARY OF THB
TREATY OF PEACE AND THE REcodNI-
| TIoN OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.
Under the act of congress providing for
this anniversary by a national exhibition In
the city of New York in the year 1888, 1
nominated the Hon. Jacob Estey and Gener-
| al Perley p 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 accordance
with the provisions of the act.
HUNTINGDON WILL CASE.
This cause was heard on the evidence tax
en- on commission in Vermont, New York
and Michigan, and q 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 under the old English statute
of mortmain. The plaintiff appealed the
case On the 14th of September last, it was
argued before the court Of appeals at Toron-
to. Judgment was reserved, but the solici-
tors are very confident that the decree will be
sustained, and that the delay in the final de-
cision arises from the Importance of the case
and desire on the part of the court to have
on record carefully prepared decision, as
the legal points raised are of great impor-
tance, and it is likely 10 be leading case in
this branch of the law. 1t is expected that
about $50, 600 will be realized to the state,
the income to be used for the support of
schools.
| MILITIA.
There is very natural feeling, but 1 think
mistaken one at every session, that mill
tia force maintained in time of peace is q
needless expense. In my view, it is neither
wise nor safe for the state to be without
some force organized and equipped for ser
vice at any moment We cannot well have a
smaller force, as we now have only the unit
of organization of infantry and artillery. l
called them together at this time, that you
might have the better opportunity to judge
by personal inspection of their drill and eff
cheney, and to decide what the interests of
the state require.
WAR HISTORY.
Joint resolution of the last session auth
orized and instructed me to appoint @ state
historian to prepare for publication history
of the part taken by Vermont in the rebell-
ion. 1 accordingly appointed Hon. G. G.
! Benedict. But the resolution not having
been submitted TO me for signature, there
was no constitutional appropriation of mon
ey, and Mr.. Benedict decided that he could
not supply the means to push the work to
completion, although willing to go on with
the collection of material The resolution,
of course, pledges the faith of the state to
pay him for his services and expenses. pre-
sumo my successor will present this matter to
you. l 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 resolutions max
ing appropriations were adopted. Three
, were sent to me for signature, and so have
! the force of law, and three were not. The
practice is pernicious one. Every legisla-
tive act ought to have the safeguards of the
|
RAILROAD COMMISSIONER.
t This Office has been of very little account
for many years, except to the holder. The
3 present commissioner has, believe, done the
! very best in his power ro fulfill his duty and
S make the Office of some practical benefit TO
the state, but can accomplish little as the
t laws now stand. We ought to have good
9 railroad commission and pay for it, or have
none. The present law is an anomaly.
IN CONCLUSION.
+ If what have said seems to be in the line
4 of criticism and of pointing out errors and de-
I | fects, let it not be misunderstood. We are In
4 he main well-regulated state. The evils
= hat exist are oftener the consequence of too
. much legislation than otherwise, and have
r crept in under changes, good in purpose and
, | partially so in results, but not working as q
harmonious whole.
d Official corruption is almost unknown, and
r compared with other states we present good
Y record of prudence and economy. But the
! conditions are favorable here to surpass all
T. our sister states. With few large towns and
/. few waste places, with people intelligent,
: honest and frugal, free from the extremes Of
e wealth and poverty, self-reliant, homogene-
/ GUS in blood and faith and character; proud
l.. of their state lovers of their country, and of
v law and order, search the world over and q
: spot cannot be found where less of the ma
a chinery of government is required. 1t will
S almost run itself. But while there is room
! for improvement, it is a work to which every
legislator should devote himself. 1t Is not q
question of party, but of common honesty
and good citizenship in which all true men
Q should join. 1t is in your hands, and may
y the Almighty bless your labors.
8 REDFIELD PROCTOR.
8 EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
u Montpelier, October G, $780,