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

Inc messages.
This legislature is favored beyond It's pred
ecessors in the extent to which it has had
its work cut out for il in advance. 1t is
equally fortunate in the skill and capacity
of the workmen who have arranged in sys-
tematic and tangible form the work of
general character which will demand its
consideration and decisive action. The
exhaustive messages of the retiring and in
coming governors and the report on court
expenses by Judge veazey, seem to cover all
the subjects on which it is important or ex-
pedient that general legislation should be
had at this time, and more, we fear, than
the general assembly will find time, during
this session, to consider and act upon with
proper deliberation. Two years ago Cover
nor Fairbanks, in delivering message on re-
signing the trust committed to him by the
freemen of the state, established useful GUS
tom. The executive, at the close of his term
of office, would naturally be able to make
many valuable suggestions respecting state
affairs. The state itself is also fairly en-
titled to the benefit of the knowledge and
experience the retiring chief magistrate has
acquired in administering the duties of his
office. The one-term rule, which political
conventions have enforced in the tenure of
the Office of governor, deprives the state of
his services just at the time when expert
ence and familiarity with his duties render
him capable to govern with practical wis
dom. The valedictory message is, there
fore, the only means left either to the retir
ing governor to give an account of his stew
ardship or for the state TO obtain and utilize,
in an effective maner, the garnered fruits of
executive experience. Under any circum
stances the counsels of retiring chief nagis-
trate would be carefully needed, but when the
official is man of practical business train
ing, of sound native common sense, person
ally active and vigilant in the discharge of
his duties, and inspired by impulses of gen
uine patriotism and philanthropy, such as
Governor Proctor, his recommendations are
of more than ordinary weight, and must
strongly impress the members of the body
to whom he addresses them. During Gov
an extraordinary nature have transpired,
which have developed the need of a clearer
Interpretation of both the organic and stat
utory laws of the state. His comments on
the Communication of death sentences will re-
ceive the ready assent of individuals even
measurably familiar with the history of the
capital cases which have given Vermont
an unpleasant notoriety in the criminal
records Of the country. His review of
the practical working of our reformatory
system and institutions is marked with
characteristic fearlessness and independence.
A difference OF opinion seems to exist be-
tween the ex-governor and the officers of
the reform school as to the scope and man
agement of that institution. The former
explains with characteristic force and clear
ness his position with reference to the
school. When the trustees have presented
their report, both sides of the case will have
been represented, and the legislature will
then be in a position fairly to discuss the
question as to the future policy of the state
in reference to this school, Level.headed-
ness is the prevailing characteristic of this
message throughout. Its diction is crisp
and forceful, displaying at times tenderness
of feeling as well as occasionally opening
up a vein of sarcasm.
In his inaugural address Governor Farm
ham makes a general review of state affairs.
His exhibit of the financial condition of the
state, of the improvement in the matter of
state, and notably court expenses, of the
successful operation of the work house in
reducing Jail expenses verify the state
ments on those subjects made in the
WATERMAN AND JOURNAL during the
late political campaign. The governors
views on retrenchment and true economy
are well and clearly expressed. If the ben
eft to the community at-large from the re-
vision of the state laws promises to be in
proportion to the immense reduction in vol
ume accomplished by the commission, we
trust the revision will be speedily ratified.
The governor suggests to the legislature ma
terial for very careful deliberation in his re-
marks on the petit and grand jury. The
message seems to aim to place the members
of the general assembly in the possession of
carefully prepared information as to the
condition of the reformatory and eleemosyn-
AIRY institutions of the state rather than to
commit it to any specific policy in reference
to those institutions. In this respect and from
the nature of the circumstances the message
is less aggressive in its general character
than Governor Proctor's. On all essential
points it is in substantial harmony with
Governor Proctor's. 1t is business like
document throughout, and aims to ad-
vance the growth and development of
those influences which underlie the true
prosperity of commonwealth. When the
material suggestions contained in these two
messages shall be embodied in wel-digested
laws, our state will enter upon new era of
social, material and intellectual prosperity.