The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1886-10-29


at once Board Of Cattle Commission
crs in the interest Of the public safety.
Satisfied that adequate authority was
vested bv law in the Selectmen to make
and enforce regulations to prevent the
spread of infectious or contagious dis
eases among cattle, even to the extent OF
ordering and enforcing quarantine.
declined to organize Board of Cattle
Commissioners, but as an equally helprul
and less expensive precautiOn | request
ed. the Secretary of the Board of Agri-
culture, DR.. Cutting. to 60 to Cambridge,
and make careful examination OF the
nature and habits Of the diseases, and
recommend or take such measures as
the public safety might demand to pre-
vent its spreading. which he did.
There seemed to be no such eXigency
as would call for Commission under
the law, and none was appointed.
DR.. Cuttings report is one OF SO gen
eral interest to dairymen and STOCK
raisers. that Ihave directed it to be print-'
ed, and it will be duly transmitted to
YOU in the Report Of the Board OF Ag7
ricuiture.
Reports of other cattle diseases have
come to hand, but, upon reference TO the
existing law, the local boards nave PROV
ed equal to their suppression.
FORESTRY.
A Joint resolution of the General As
sem6lv of 1882 directed the appointment
of a Commission ito inquire into the
subject of the forests of Vermont. as to
their extent and condition. and what, If
any. measures should be taken in respect
to their protection"
The Commission. consisting OF Red-
field Proctor, Frederick Billings, ana
Edward j. Phelps. reported at the last
session. recommending Legislative action
in several important particulars.
An act was passed at that session to
encourage the planting OF shade trees
upon the public squares and highways,
authorizing one per cent. of the grand
list of towns to be voted for premiums
to the owners of lands who should plant
their public margins with trees. | am
not aware that this statute has been
awaited of by any town.
This is the extent of direct legislation
in the history of our State upon this inn
portant subject.
Noting. as [ have for several years
past the progressive trending OF the
most enterprising States of our country
in the East and West in their economic
and systematic encouragement or tree
planting, as an important branch OF ag-
riculture. to enhance the value and beau
ty of the farm, the village and the town,
invited the general observance OF an
Arbor Day on May lst, 1850, recon-
mending the same. not as a legal hoil-
day, but as a day for the general spono
taneous and voluntary contributions OF
the people, municipal and religious cor
poratiOns. societies Tor town and village
Improvement, agricultural associations
and schools towards the adornment or
the streets. the roadsides. parks. public
buildings, homes and waste places.
The systematic observance of the day
was gratifying beyond expectation.
Thousands of shade trees were set in
many towns while few, if any. respond
ed with regrets. The proclamation was
renewed this year, and the results, as IN
the other States, indicate that the sem
timent of the people calls for the estab-
lishment of another legal holiday in our
calendar, discretionary with the EXecu-
tive, or absolutely by law.
HIGHWAY LAW.
The law of the last session placing the
repairing of highways and bridges under
the direction Of the Selectmel, or street
Commissioners, or such officers or
agents, as the towns respectively may
direct, has proved most satisfactory
law in its operation.
The last clause of the first section,
however, has been the cause OF much
confusion in many towns, the same pre-
senting an apparent inconsistency with
the spirit and purpose OF the entire act
which evidently was intended to 90 away
the highway district system, abolish the
labor tax practice, and place the high
ways under town control. with money
tax only to maintain them.
Not few towns have elected high
way Surveyors with view to proceed
under the old law. while this act express
ly repeats the sections directing the du.
ties and methods of such officials.
The law seems right and polite in
principle, and most salutary in its opera
ton.
have received so many communlca-
lions from town officials and others ask
ing the meaning of the clause referred
to, that deem it my duty to invite your
attention to it.
ELECTION LAWS, ETC.
Under the act of the last session for
the compilation of the election and nat
uralizatioA laws. appointed George w.
Wales, Esq. Commissioner. in Novem-
Der, 1884, and in January, 1885, his re-
port and work were completed, and the
compilation duly distributed.
commend it to your consideration,
and to the use of the Boards of Select
men, Civil Authority, and to the public
as compilation of painstaking COM
pleteness, and, especially under the new
check list laws, as invaluable.
THE NEW ORLEANS EXPOSITION.
The report of the Commissioner is not
yet published.
Forthwith upon the passage OF the