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

/ traceaDle 10 the same cause, are more than
! sufficient to Justify appeal to the strong
arm of rigorous law for help, aud to call
/ forth the utmost and constant efforts OF
/ individuals to check and, SO far as may be
possible, to stop the fearful ravares of
! this nOnstrouS evil.
! That the law fails to accomplish all that
was expected and hoped by the sangunc
promoters of it will srdly be question
| by any, But, that /. has had, ahd now
! has, the effect To pre- cent, or at least 10
correct, the evil in Il large measure, out
side of the centres of Dllr larger towns and
villages, and to greatly regulate and con
troll it generally, | fully believe. That the
| laws OF the State on this subject are in
many places openly vi dated and tlagrant-
ly disregarded is an open secret and that
in some instances-to) numerous to be
contemplated without concern those
upon whom has been, TT is, imposed the
sworn duty of its faithful execution, are
its viulators, and are bind or Indifferent
to its violation by others, is also but too
well known. This is indeed II sad com
mentary upon the law and subject under
consideration, and demoralizing to the
citizens generally, AS tending TO lessen
proper regard, if not to create contempt,
| for all laws.
BY some it is claimed that the penal
| ties provided for the violation of the law
are too severe; by others that they are not
severe enough by others that the admin
istraton and execution Of the law is lax
and by others, that the trouble lies in the
subject, and that the law does not have
the support and approval CAS- prohibtory
measure Of the people. do not assume
to myself that degree of wisdom requisite
! to solve these questions, or to point the
way to a solution of them, further than to
call your attention and consideration to
the distance, the shifting, the vancouver
ing, the display of ingenuity and the es-
capes between a first and second convic-
| ton under the law and, to say, If 1t is the
sentiment of the people at large, that this
law, or the laws on this subject should be
treated and made to operate as a prohibl-
tory law in fact as well AS in name, rather
than to operate as license law, the end
desired would he much nearer reached by
| 50 amending the law that the penalty pro
vided for first conviction should include
Il short term OF Imprisonment as wall rs
fine. There is no occasion for apology for
/ calling Nour attention to this subject at
such length. Its paramount importance
cannot he Uverstated and there is no sub
ject about which the thoughts of the peo-
pie are so much exercised ana upon
which so much depends the public veal,
or which Will more demand your atten-
ton and consideration, dui my the session.
| The treatment of this subject is especially
within your province, and any proper leg
| islatiOn III the direction of curing or aUat
ing the evil of intemperancc Will have my
personal approval aud official sanction.
AGRICULTURE.
1t has well been said that upon this in
terest all others largely depend. And
with the fact before me that Il very large
| portion of this presence have been life
long students i'll the school of practical
husbaudry, may, assume, be justly eX
cused from advising, TT even suggesting
what ought, or what ought not to be done
Tor the advancement of this subject
1. n. -
that upon this all other interests and in
duStres largely depend it is as true, as a
general proposition, that whatever tends
to truly and permanently aid or advance
the one will have prosperous effect upon
the others. And while the agricultural
interests of the State have many and
varied just demands upon you, by way of
providing and disseminating instruction
and Information, by furnishing various
AIDS to progress and advancement, and by
removing and preventing the growth of
obstacles and hndrances, all Of which
trust Will be arceded to and provided
for: yet, the .,r,ulr-t grievances can be
redresseu and tnr i'isN est burdens re
moved only 10y national legislation. And
this applies To otHer Industries rs well as
to this aud naturally suggests the propri-
ETY. of a legislative reminder and appeal to
our congressional delegates to strengthen
their hands and increase or encourage
their zeal in their efforts to secure relief
through the enactment of what is known
rs the interstate commerce bill, and in
their resistance to the further moditca-
ton or repeal of the tariff laws by which
several of the industries of the State
have already suffered severity and by
which their existence is now jeopar-
died.
Although commented upon elsewhere,
| desire here to call your attention to the
report of the trustees of the State agri-
~ a a. oil has IA
ject of providing for this department of the
state nlVersity an experiment station.
such department properly equipped and
literally sustained would, If judge cor
rectly, meet and provide for want of
long standing and of vital consequence to
the agricultural interests of the State.
The tlllers of the soil of the East, in their
competitive race with those of the West,
in their efforts to live and thrive are at
a great disadvantage in many respects and
may we'll call to their aid the service of
intelligent and scientific experiments.
feel assured that you will find the report
, referred to of great interest.
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
The report of the board of agriculture
has not come to my hand therefore am un-
able to speak of its work. | am not aware
what, If any, legislation is desired or de
srable in the way of continuing the work
of the board, or giving it greater efficiency
The importance of the matters it has in
charge, and is intended to promote, is sc
vital that you cannot fail to give its con
sderation Il prominent place. | ask your
careful attention to the suggestions OF
Gov. Pingree on this subject. His famili
arity with the d0ings of the board during
his term of office, and the manifest inter
est he has in the subject make his retir
ing words of such value rs to secure from
you that attention | have asked you tC
,, give to it.
FISHERIES.
Impressed as am that the propagation
and protection of fish is a subject of grea
, and growing Importance to the people o
the State, and that ii is an interest deserv
ing and requiring legislative aid and pro
lection, | confidently call your attention
to it, trusting you will give it such foster
e ing care and oversight AS will best pro
| mote the public good.
, HIGHWAYS.
r This is a subject of such general inter
4 est that | feel more than warranted il
( I N