The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-10-13

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that there is no such unequal burden as to
justify call for state aid. The temptation
offered to towns by the unguarded provis-
ions of this act to bring themselves within
its terms is very great, and 1t is, submit,
in its present form liable to so much abuse
as to demand amendment, or, failing in
that, repeal. In this connection l 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 indis-
pensable for through travel, not unfre-
quently mail routes, and expensive to keep
in repair. Many of these towns are over
burdened and unjustly so in keeping these
highways in the passable and safe condition
demanded by the public and required by
law. Such towns usually have but small
grand list, their land being of little value
compared with other towns, and their peo-
pie poor in purse. l submit that for such or
similar instances of plain and unquestiona-
BILE inequality of this public burden as to
such through lines of travel, remedial legis-
lation, properly guarded, should be had.
THE MILITIA.
The National Guard of Vermont consists
of one regiment of infantry-ten companies
-531 officers and enlisted men, and one sep
arate or detached company OF infantry at
Newport, of tifty-one officers and enlisted
men one light battery-four twelve FOUNDER
Napoleon or brass guns-located at Brattle-
boro, and when full numbering eighty Off
GERS and men, and one " section and bat
terry 1.-TWO six FOUNDER brass guns,-lo-
Gated at Mortified 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 con-
cur with the adjutant and inspector general
in his recommendation that it be increased,
but the views of General Peck on this sub
ject, expressed in his report merit your
careful consideration; and their source
should give them great weight. The char
acter and efficiency of National Guard is
now excellent 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 81 well regulated militia
is necessary to the security of a free state. "
Efficiency of the Guard is secured and
maintained by the expenditure of much
time, and in the aggregate, of a large pc
cunary outlay by both officers and men,
not reimbursed by the state. And wanting
in efficiency in any large degree, the exist
ence of militia would be of more than
doubtful expediency and its expense a
waste. The militia is expected and re-
uuired to be always ready to serve the state,
and to respond with alacrty to the call of
the commander-in-chief, and is the chief
and final reliance of the state in times of
public peril when the arm of the civil au-
thority is paralyzed or overcome by un-
usual emergencies in state or nation. That
they may not be needed is the earnest wish
of all; that they may never be wanting in
disposition to respond, in personal eff
cheney, or in serviCeable arms and suitable
equipment is equally desirable and impor-
tant. We are told that, while the perSonel
and the drill of the Guard is excellent, its
arms are substantially worthless, and l
submit if they are as worthless as repre-
scented, they would in time of need and
| peril be more dangerous to the command
than to the opposing force; and it is said
| that, in other minor respects, they are very
poorly. equipped, This should have prompt
| attention. The arm that the soldier is re-
uuired to bear is either his pride or his
shame, as it is serviceable and satisfactory,
or otherwise. And | recommend that pro-
vision be made for such change or renewal
of the arms and equipments of the Guard as
to secure the highest degree of efficiency,
| and such az will promote the commendable
pride of our ctizen-soldiers. The reports
of the adjutant and inspector-general and
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 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 your attention. In these re-
ports the Light Battery as referred to and
| denomnated C. Fuller's Battery" not par
| ticuarly because it is commanded by Cap
tain Fuller, but chiefly and properly because
the efficiency of the organization is largely
osty of Captain Fuller. This has been long
continued, transformations and unseltish
and deserves this public official recognition
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT AND STATE AGRI-
CULTURAL COLLEGE.
The University of Vermont, bearing as il
| does the name of our commonwealth, and
without disparaging any other, being the
leading institution of learning in the state
as well as for other good and substantial
nd oh ha ba n
lively interest to the thoughtful people OF
the state, and any needed aid would in my
opinion be well directed and deserved, il
bestowed upon it, The real and abiding
prosperity of state or community can be
correctly measured by its means, provisions
and interest for and in the cause of educa
ton and intelligence. | am happy to re-
port that the University is in the enjoyment
of liberal patronage and is prosperous. II
has, as you know, been richly remembered
in the past by the generosity of the late
| John p Howard and of Mr.. Fredericb
Billings, by which the state at large, as
we'll as the institution, has been greatly
benefited. Too much commentator an(
gratitude cannot well be bestowed for these
acts of public generosity in the cause OF re
fined and higher education. But with these
lavish gifts and the expenditure of them az
directed by the donors and the construction
and completion of the work to which they
were especially directed, comes to the Uni
versity new and enlarged duties, increased
and increasing expenses. Several OF my
honored predecessors have in their mes
sages to the general assembly made elo
quent appeal and earnest recommendation
that the state should render to the Uni
versity pecuniary assistance to encourage
and strengthen its hands in the noble worl
of human advancement. l am pleased Il
call your attention to these appeals ant
recommendations, with my approval. Thu
cause of the higher education would b,
thereby aided and encouraged and also o
education generally. As has been wei
said by one of the most earnest and intelli
gent friends and supporters of the common
schools of the state: "Our common or pub
lie school system can be lifted from abov,
more effectually than it can be pried from
below" Under the head of State Scholar
ships" the trustees in their report point TIN
way to mode or method that might well b.
adopted by the state to assist and advanc,
the interests of the University, and at all
same time " furnish assistance to gifted ant
ambitious young men of limited means -
these suggestions are worthy of your earnes
consideration. The State Agricultural Col
lege is a part of the University of Vernon
and made so by an act of the legislature o
this state, approved November 9, 1865. |
is sustained by the income of fund give
to the state of Vermont by the general gov
eminent, by virtue of an act of congress
approved July 2, 1862. And this act pre-
vides that the income of this fund shall b
used for the support of at least one college
"where the leading object shall be, withou
excluding other scientific and classica
studies, and including military tactics, t