Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-10-15

the proposition to so amend the laws as to
provide las was formerly the case) that
towns should be liable in damages to par
ties injured or damages by reason of any
insufliciency of Highways, but | am not pre-
pared to say tina. this would be wise leyis-
lation, aud cannot, therefore, advise that
towns should be further reliable than I'M
der the present law, except as contingent
ly expressed above. Frequent changes in
general laws should not be encouraged
In the further consideration of this sub
ject, ! call your attention to act No II OF
the session laws of 1884, entitled IAN act
relating to highways and bridges" IIav-
ing considerable familiarity, professional
ly and officially, with this act and its
working in its present form, am led to
characterize it as an instance of loose
legislation on an important and mertor-
ious subject II it is TO remain in its pres
eut unguarded form, it might well be
commented upon and considered under
changed to that of IAN act to test the
capacity of the State treasury" The
end sought by the trainers and promoters
of the act In question was, | have no
doubt, just one, the object being to
equalize the important and imperative
public burden OF building and maintain
ing highways. Excepting "A comparative
ly few towns, am convinced that there is
no such unequal burden as to Justify a
call for State aid. The temptation offered
to towns by the uugarded provisions of
this act to bring themselves within its
terms is very great, and it is, submit, in
its present form liable to so much abuse
as to demand amendment. or, failing in
tn t, repeal.
In this connection, | desire to call your
attention to what believe to be fact,
that there is in the State class of so.
called mountain towns, through which
pass main highways, used largely by. and
inn col la fnr oh Of
frequently mail routes, and expensive to
keep in repair. Many of these towns, are
overburdened and uniustly so in keeping
these highways in the passable and safe
condition demanded by the public and re
CURED by law. Such towns usually have
but small grand list, their land being
of little value compared with other towns,
and their people poor in purse. | submit
that for such similar instances OF plain
and unques tonable inequality of this pub
lie burden as TO such through lines of
travel, remedial legislation, properly
guarded should be had.
THE MILITIA.
The National Guard of Vermont con
sist of one regiment of infantry--ten com
panies-53l officers and enlisted men, and
one separate or detached company of in
fantry at Newport, of 81 officers and en-
listed men; one hight Dattery-four twelve
FOUNDER Napoleon or brass guns-locatend
at Brattleboro, and when full numbering
50 officers and men and one section of
battery" two six FOUNDER brass guns 49,
located at Northtield and organized from
the students at Norwich University
To be of any practical efficient use, the
force cannot well be less. am however.
unable to concur with the Adjutant and
Inspector General in his recommendation
that it be increased, but the views of
General Peck on this subject, expressed
in his report, merit your careful consider
alton, and their source should give them
great weight The character and effici-
ency of the National Guard is now ex-
cellent and reflects great credit upon both
officers and men, and they are entitled to,
and should have, our thanks for so fully
and creditably meeting that constitutional
declaration that "a well regulated militia
is. necessary to the security of free
state"
Efficiency of the guard is secured and
maintained by the expenditure of much
time, and, in the aggregate, of large
pecuniary outlay by both officers and
men, not reimbursed by the State. And
wanting in efficiency in any large degree,
the existence of militia would be of more
than doubtful eXpedieucy and its expense
a waste. The militia is expected and re
qdlred to be always ready to serve the
State, and to respond with alacrity to the
call of the Communicated chief, and Is the
chief and final reliance of the State in
times Of public peril. when the arm of the
civil authority is paralyzed or overcome
by unusual emergencies in state or Ma
ton. That they may not be needed is the
earnest wish of all that they may never
be wanting in disposition to respond, in
personal efficiency, or in ServiceaDle arms
and suitable equipment is equally desir-
able and important. We are told that,
while the personel and the drill of the
a hob.
tally worthless, and submit If they are rs
worthless ~ represented, they would in
time of need and peril be more dangerous
to the command than to the opposing
force and it is said tnat, in other minor
respects, they are very poorly equipped
This should have prompt attention. The
arm that the soldier is required to bear j.
either his pride or his shame, as it is ser
viceable and satisfactory, or otherwise
And recommend that provision be made
for such change or renewal of the arms
and equipment of the guard as to secure
the highest degree of efficiency, and pro
mote the common liable pride of our citiz
en-soldierS.
The report of Adjutant and Inspector
General Quartermaster General will be
! before YOU. In which many minor matters
! in reference to the militia are set forth
and commented upon in detail THESE
reports merit, and trust will have YOU
| tlltlllOu III lutSc ltPplto Nho rs Az
battery is referred to and denominated
"Fuller's battery" not particularly be
cause it is commanded by Captain Fuller
but chiefly and properly because the
efficiency of the organization is largely
due to The intelligent attention and gen
crosby of Captain Fuller This has beef
long continued transformations and un
selfish, and deserves this public official re
cognition.
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT AND STATE AGRI
CULTURAL COLLEGE.
The University of Vermont, bearing a.
it does the name of our commonwealth
and, without disparaging any other, beins
the leading institution OF learning in thu
State, as well as for other good and sub
stanial reasons, must and should be thu
subject of lively interest to the thought
full people of the State, and any needed
aid would in my opinion be well directed
and deserved, if bestowed upon it,
The real and abiding prosperity of 1
State or community can be correctly
measured by its means, provisions and IN
terest for and in the cause of education
and intelligence. am happy to repor
that the University is in the enjoyment o