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

my information and conclusiOn), you ca
more readily search out the disease ant
apply cure, and this Is your specia
province.
pursuing your investigation, you viii
doubtless find that the average numbe
of scholars in these outlying districts
does not exceed One-half that Of thirty
or fifty years ago, the territorial dimen
sions of the districts remaining substan
sitiOn that small school fails to keeL
alive or awaken the interest of the pu
pil. and is accompanied by the cOmpar.
where such school is located. will very
generally, am sure, receive your assent.
We are told by the Superintendent OF
Education in his report, that there are
in the State one hundred and three schools
with not over sir scholars each, and four
hundred and seventy having more than
six and less than twelve. After care
full consideration of this subject, am
comp lied to conclude that the trouble
mainly lies in these small schools: that
so long as old district lines are held too
sacred to bt disturbed. the trouble must &.
from necessity, not only remain with
us, but increase rather than diminish.
And, notwithstanding the adverse eX-
preston of the voters of the several
towns, should fall short of full per-
Torrance of what | conceive to be my
duty, should omit to say that 1t is my
earnest conviction that adequate and
lasting relief can come only by an adop-
ton of the ''Town SYSTEM or some
other system by which the same end can
be accomplished or arrived at. | am
not. however, welded to this or any 9TH
er particular system, but | earnestly
submit that the importance of the SUBJ
ject is quite enough to call forth your
best efforts and unbiased action in
search of a remedy and in providing for
an application of it.
solicit your attention to the report
of your devoted and painstaking Super
intendent of Education. The opinions,
conclusions and recommendations of
one so well versed in the subject, and
who has given it so much patient study
and attention should be of great weight.
If in treating upon this subject at such
length, have trenched upon your prov
ince, or invaded the field of argument,
the Importance of the subject and my
anxiety concerning it, must be my eX-
cuse.
STATE BENEFICIARIES.
This subject and the expense of the
State having reference to it, is treated at
length by my predecessor in his retir-
ing message, and | therefore only call
your attention to it. 1t has become the
fixed policy of the State. to make ample
provision for the education of its deaf
mutes, blind and feeble minded. And
doubt not it will be your pleasure to
continue this policy and make such pro-
vision for carrying it out, as will ena-
bic all who should to share it..
STATE PRISON.
The report of the Directors aud Sup
erintendent shows prosperous and har-
monious condition of things at the pris-
on, and it does not appear that any UNI
usual event has transpired there. within
the period covered by it.
As to the needs of the institution, be-
yond current expenses. cannot do bet
ter by way Of calling them to your at
tention than to here quote from the Di-
rectors' report, wherein they say.
''We cannot too strongly urge the
of iron stairs too, and walks
around the cells, to take the place of the
old worn-out wooden ones. This con-
struction would render the prison safer
from fire." etc. And they also suggest,
in the way of desired improvement,
the enlarging of the front windows of
the prison.
The well known conservative charac-
ter and safe business qualifications and
habits of the Directors, give unusual
value to their recommendations and sug-
gestions. They have my concurrence,
and will trust receive careful consid-
GRAFTON from you. If repaired and inn
proved as suggested, we are assured by
prison will not suffer by comparison
lean from the Directors that the prison
has sufficient capacity to comfortably
150 inmates, and the Sup
report shows that the pres
ent number, DULY 81, 1850, is SO, indicat-
ing that there is much spare room in the
prisOn-a condition of things not likely
to be lamented.
HOUSE OF CORRECTION.
This institution has now been in opera
ton about eight years, and, as was said
by my predecessor in his incoming mes
sage, sis universally admitted to be
success Of its kind" and from the report
Of the Directors. which will be before
you, the institution is seen to be popular ),
as well as successful: and from the same
source comes the gratifying Intelligence
that the institution has no special needs.
You will, however, | am sure. agree
with me that this institution should have
and relief, as we are told by the
Director that it is burdened with class
Of prisoners that, by the construction OF
It's buildings as to safety, 1t was not de- /,
signed to accommodate; and they add,