Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-10-15

LIST. That when two or more CON-
plants are tried ia one. there shall be
no double costs, unless possibly for the
justices fees; I'd. That witness fees
not called for within a certain time by |
the witness shall be returned TO the
treasury 3rd. That where there is
more than one sentence, the second |
shall date from the expiration of the
first 18th. That appeals for delay !
merely may be checked If possible, and
that sentences may be legally affirmed
after appeal as of the later date.
Attention is called to the favorable
operation of the law of the last session
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 1873, and less than
any year since 1865. The ratio of di-
vorces to marriages is only one in
twenty-one and flve-tenths for 1879,
while it was one in fourteen in 1878.
This brings Vermont to the head of
the New England States in this respect.
In conclusion the Ex-Governor says:
"We are in the main we'll regulated
State. The evils that exist are oftener
the consequence of too much legislation
than otherwise, and have crept il I'M
der changes, good in purpose and par
TALLY SO in results, but not working as
harmonious whole. Official corrup-
ton is almost unknown, and compared
with other States we present good
record of prudence and economy. But
the conditions are favorable here to
surpass all our sister States. With few
large towns and few waste places !;
with a people intelligent, honest and
frugal, free from the extremes of wealth
and poverty, 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 be1ound where
less of the machinery of government is
required. 1t will almost run itself.
But while there is room for improve
ment, it is work to which every legis-
lator should devote himself. 1t is not
a question of party, but of common
honesty and good citizenship in which
all true men should join"
Governor Farnham's Message.
The Governor, in beginning his mes
sage, called to the minds of the repre-
| sentatives that a more than ordinary
responsibility rested upon them at the
present session, since in it action was
to be taken upon the report of the
| Commissioners in relation to the revi-
sion of the laws of the State and
amendments to the Constitution to be
considered.
STATE FINANCES.
The following abstract of the salts
factory financial condition of the State
was then given.
ASSETS.
Cash on hand and in banks ........ seIs $40 50
Due on State tax of 1879 ......,........ 1857 "a
Due from savings banks-taxes.,... 1885 ~
s2sl, e74 IS
LIABILITIES.
Due towns-U. s. surplus fund ......s l1 ,5l9 90
Due on Soldiers ACCOUNTS. ..... ...... 6,45S FL
Suspense account Outstanding checRaJ l,743 so
Bonds due in 1876. (owner unknowu) 1000 90
Int. due ON same prior to m lturity.. $3.50 90
Due town on acct. of sav'gs hank tax 81, 400 50
Agr'al College fund.- due in 1890 .... .135, 500 90
sl85,97i 09
This report shows an excess Of assets
over liabilities of $97, $3.50 10, and if to
this sum be added the sum due from the
State tax of 1879 and the taxes due from
the savings banks, which the Treasurer
properly counts as assets, there is sur
plus above all indebtedness of $40, 109-
SO. But the Agricultural fund is not
due until 1890, amounting to $135, 500,
and the United States surplus fund in
the hands of the State Treasurer,
amounting to $l1,519 90, will not be
called for at present, if ever. Addins
the two last named sums to the balance
of assets above mentioned, there is in
the hands Of the Treasurer for the pres
ent fiscal year, beginning August l, 1880
$196, 1872 90. At the close of the bfenni
al term of 1878 the State Treasurer had
on hand available for the year 1879
Sl41, 934 49,. At the present time he has
on hand available for the current ex.
penses of the coming year $196, 1879 90
showing Il balance of $54, 1877 n more or
hand July 81, 1880, than at the CORE
spending period of the year 1878. Dur
ing the last two years there has beer
paid afaatstanding State bonds $36, 900
whichmakes the comparative financi
al condition of the State at the presen
time over 800, 900 better than two years
ago. 1t was shown that the satisfacto
ry condition Of the Treasury wa
caused by the diminution of State ex
penses, q decrease in Jail expenses auo
an increase in fines and costs, fallinf
off of County Clerks orders and cour
expenses, etc. The difference in the ex
pense is shown by thu following figure
from the Auditors account:
State expenses for the last year of the last bi
ennia term to July 81, 1873. ...... .$5l5. 02l 2
, Same for the year endg July 81, 1880 275, 400 6
Showing change On the side of economy 0
more than $4,000.
TIKI SAVINGS BANKS,
: The whole number of depositors il
all the savings banks and trust com
: panies in this State, July I, 1880, wa
1859 an increase in number OF 221