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

| measure suOMlteu 10, Ill cOnlleCtlOn VIII
: this department of public duty than o
e any other. This was the natural. an,
' perhaps unavoidable, result of the so
t called labor tax practice-an easy wa,
e to pay or avoid payment of the tax, bu
grossly inadequate in results. The pub
' lie generally are to be congratulated
that this inadequate way of performing
a public duty has no longer the sanction
of law. am pleased to be able to say
, as result of observation, extended in
ent condition of the highways through.
out the State il, as a whole, very salts.
factory. except as shown by very gen.
eral complaint that the duty of erect
ing or constructing barriers or safe
guards at points and places of special
danger to travellers Is very generally dis
regarded. Should your understanding
of the matter be in accord with this al
legged fact, suggest the propriety OF so
amending the law in that respect as to
impose liability for damages upon
towns. as is now provided for insufficient
bridges, culverts and sluices. As was
said by one of my predecessors-ex-
Governor Farnham-''tOwns should be
required to keep their highways in
safe condition.
NV attention has been called to the
proposition to SO amend the laws as to
provide, Gas was formerly the case), that
towns should be liable in damages to
parties injured or damaged by reason
of any insutficiency of highways, but
am not prepared to say that this would
be wise legislation, and cannot. there
fore advise that towns should be further
1soh than ,,n6or tho Iouy nv
cept as contingently expressed above.
not be encouraged.
In the further consideration of this
subject, call your attention to Act No.
IL of the session laws of 1884, entitl-
ed, IAN Act relating to Highways and
Bridges" After having considerable
familiarity, professionally and officially,
with this Act and its workings in it's
present form, am led to characterize it
as an instance of loose legislation on an
important and meritoriOus subject. Ii
it is to remain in it's present unguarded
form, it might well be commented upon,
and considered under the head of estate
Expenses" and its title 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, havenO doubt. just one,
the object being to equalise the import
ant and imperative public burden of
building and maintaining highways.
Excepting a comparatively few towns,
| am convinced that there is no such I'M
equal burden as to justify call for
State aid. The temptation offered TO
towns by the unguarded provisions of ,
this Act to bring themselves within it's
terms is very great, and it is. submit.
in it's present form liable to so much
abuse as to mand amendment, or, fail
ing in that. repeal.
In this connection, desire to call |
your attention to what believe to be a |
fact, that there is in the State class of |
so-called mountain towns. through /
which pass main highways, used large
ly by and Indispensable for through
travel. not unfrequently mail routes, ,
and expensive to keep in repair. Many
of these towns are overwhelmed, and
unjustly so, in keeping these highways
in the passable and safe condition de-
manded by the public and required by
law. Such towns usually have but a
small Grand List, their land being of lit
tie value compared with other towns,
and their people poor in purse. | sub
nit that for such or similar instances of
plain and unquestiOnable inequality of
this public burden as to such through
lines of travel, remedial legislation,
guarded, should be had.
THE MILITIA.
The National Guard of Vermont consist
IF one regiment of infantry-ten COM
oanies-53l officers and enlisted men,
md one separate or detached company of
infantry at Newport. Of 81 officers and
enlisted men; one light battery-fOur
Napoleon or brass guns
coated at Brattleboro, and when full
80 officers and men; and one
section Of battery''-2 six-pounder bass
at Mortified and organic
ID from the students at Norwich Uni
yersity.
TO be of any practical efficient use, the
orce cannot we'll be less. l am, how
yer, unable to concur with the Adjutant i
md Inspector General in his recommen- .
# General Peck on this subject, express
d in his report, merit your careful con- {
and their source should give ,
hem great weight. The character and !
efficiency of the National Guard is now {
excellent, and reflects great credit upon |
10Th officers and men, and they are en-.
tiled to and should have our thanks I
or so fully end creditably meeting that !
declaration that "a well /
egulated militia is necessary to the Sc
,urity of free State" +.
Efficiency of the Guard is secured and !
by the expenditure of much
ime, and, in the aggregate, Of a large t
outlay by both officers and I
men, not reimbursed by the State. And
wanting in efiiciencyin any large degree, 6