Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-10-11
Watrhmar &c gnmuI.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER II, 1882.
The Messages.


ment of state affairs, and in them member of
the legislature will find information of he
workings of existing laws, of the condition
Of institutions which are under state cu-
troll, suggestions upon matters affecting he
interests of the people and recommend
tions of future legislation. The two ms
sages together would hardly seem to leave
unnoticed anything of general characte
which should have attention at the presen
session. Both documents are free from
buncombe and give evidence of painstaking
care and of study and investigation of the
various subjects of which they treat.
The conspicuous treatment is noticeable
of a subject which has been either utterly
ignored hitherto or overshadowed in the
minds of chief executives by the more OBJ
streperous claims of taxation, court ex-
penses, penal, reformatory and charitable
institutions. The subject of popular ed
ucaton outranks all others in Importance to
the interests of the state, material as well as
moral. In proportion as thorough going
education is diffused among the masses the
state will prosper, crime will diminish and
the necessity for our elaborate and expen-
sive system of prisons and reform schools
will lessen. 1t is therefore subject of
sincere and special congratulation to friends
of real and substantial progress in the state
that the condition of its ungraded schools
has arrested the attention of the governors
and that they have united in pressing the
wants and needs of these schools upon the
general assembly. 1t is to be regretted that
their investigations have not been suf-
ficiently deep and their consideration suf-
ficiently mature to enable them to indicate
some special measure Of a general scope for
improving the schools, but the subject is
one Of peculiar difficulty and even those
most interested in the district schools are
themselves embarrassed in their efforts to
devise practical remedy. We believe
that the suggested revival of the board of
education is the first step in the right direc-
ton. We trust that the committee on ed
ucation in both houses will be very carefully
made up and that its special duties will
receive industrious and patient atten-
ton. The suggestions of the governors
relating to normal schools, changes in the
text books, their character and quality, and
the report of the superintendent of educa-
ton, present ample material for instant
study and discussion. The retiring gov
ernor's remarks upon "The Highway Law
should be carefully considered and his rec
concentrations embodied in amendments to
that law which will divest it of its unjust
and Objectionable features. Coming from
the hand whose signature made the notori.
Gus Judevine bill law, Governor Farm
hams structures upon that measure are
creditable to his candor. The demand for
the repeal or radical modification of the
law has been long and loud from press and
people throughout the state. There are
very few who will not agree with Governor
Farnham that " the system is too unwieldy
for practical use. Evidently the legislature
ought to do something to give us better
roads and to protect honest travellers"
In his discussion of methods of taxa
ton Governor Barstow very clearly exposes
the ininstice and some of the abuses which
might and doubtless would grow up unde
a law exempting mortgaged real estate
from taxation. Such law has been ad
vocated by some individuals, but we be
lieve now, as the WATERMAN has said OF
other occasions, that when all the objection
to measure of this kind are developed ant
considered it will be found to open tn
door to the ingress Of more evils than i
will shut out. The intimation of the gov
ernor that "perhsps equal justice would b
done by abolishing offsets is not withou
reason, and in the discussions on the ques
ton of taxation two years ago this doctrin
gained adherents every day the debate cor
tiDued. The governor states that the of
sets in the last grand list amounted to $32
100000. The theory is that if this sur
were added to the present valuation il woul
greatly reduce the rate per cent of taxatio
and be more uniform and Just than tn
present system.
: A detailed review, even if our space &C
mitted it, would hardly assist the generi
reader interested in state matters in oil
tanning an intelligent understanding of th
subjects discussed by the governors. TIL
messages are excellent. in system and di
: ton, and in this respect, as well as in the
y subject matter, must commend themselvt
a both to the members of the legislature,
! whom they are addressed, and their col
sttuents, the people of the state. VIII
assists to make good citizens is an active il
terest in the affairs of the state. The'