St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1886-10-14

encouragement for the common schools;
the condition and efficiency of the col
leges, academies, ETC., compare favor
ably with like institutions of learning
elsewhere and have a corps of instruct
Ors, competent, efficient and well
equipped as any.
The trouble is in the smaller schools,
schools more or less remote from the
villages and central schools. The av-
erage number of scholars in these out
lying districts does not exceed one
half that of 80 or so years ago, the ter
ritorial dimensions of the districts re-
manning substantially the same. There
are in the state lob schools with not
over six scholars each, and 40 having
more than six and less than twelve.
The trouble mainly lies in these small
schools. So long as old district lines
are held too sacred to be disturbed,
the trouble must, from necessity, not
only remain with us, but increase rath-
er than diminish.
1t is my earnest conviction that ade
Quate and lasting relief can come only
by an adoption of the "tOwn system"
or some other system by which the
same end can be accomplished or ar
rived at.
State Beneficiaries and RefOrmatOries.
Ample provision. for the education
of deaf mutes, blind and feeble mind
ed is recommended practical i'm
prOvements in and about the state
prison building is favored; radical
changes in the class of prisoners adj
mitted to the house of correction is
urged continued ungrudging and lib
eral support and encouragement of the
state for the reform school and the in
sane asylum is also recommended.
Intemperance
Comes in for considerable attention.
That the prOhibitOry law fails to ac-
complish all that was expected and
hoped by the sanguine promoters of it
will hardly be questioned by any. But,
that it has had, and now has, the eff
feet to prevent, or at least to correct,
the evil in large measure, outside of
the centers of our larger towns and
villages, and to greatly regulate and
control it generally, 1 fully believe.
Attention is called to the distance,
the shifting, the man9uvreing, the
display of ingenuity and the escapes
between first and second conviction
under the law and, to say, if it 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 prOhibitory law in fact as we'll as
in name, rather than to operate as a
license law, the end desired would be
much nearer reached by so amending
the law that the penalty provided for
first conviction should include a
short term of imprisonment as we'll as
fine.
Agriculture.
Under this head the governor urges
providing for this department of the
state university an experiment station.
Highways.
The abuses and shortcomings prac
ticed, and i'm measure submitted to,
in connection with the highway de-
partment the natural result of the So
called labor tax practice-an easy way
to pay or avoid payment of the tax,
but grossly inadequate in results. The
public generally are to be cOngratu-
lated that this inadequate way of per-
forming a public duty has no longer
the sanction of law.
| suggest the prOpriety of so amend
ing the law in that respect as to i'm
pose liability for damages upon
towns, as is now provided for INSULT
cient bridges, culverts and sluices.
The act No. ii of the session laws of
1884, entitled, Gan Act relating to
Highways and Bridges" is characterized
as an instance of loose legislation on
an important and meritOriOus subject,
and its amendment or repeal is urged.
Remedial legislation is also urged for
mountain towns with small grand lists
obliged to keep in good condition pub
lie roads.
The Militia,
To be of any practical efficient use
cannot well be less, than at present.
| am however, unable to concur with
the adjutant and inspector general in
his recommendation that it be increas-
ed. We are told that, while the per-
sonel and the drill of the guard is ex-
cellent, it's arms are substantially
worthless, and | submit if they are as
worthless as represented, they would
in time of need and peril be more dan
gerous to the command than to the OPP
posing force and it is said that, in
other minor respects, they are very
poorly equipped. l recommend that
provision be made for such change or
renewal of the arms and equipment of
the Guard as to secure the highest de-
gree of efficiency, and such as will sat
isfy and promote the cOmmendable
pride of our citizen soldiers.
The University of Vermont and State
Agricultural College
Receives due attention and the state
recommended to render to the univer-
sity pecuniary assistance to encourage
70 han dc in
work of human advancement.
Railroad Legislation.
1t is said that further legislation on
the subject of railroads cannot be eff
fective save by creating a railroad
commission and investing it with en-
larged powers and authority over rail-
road affairs, even to the extent of fix
ing, regulating the toll or rate of trans
pOrtatiOn. And [ believe that the OBJ
ject and ends of further desirable leg
islatiOn can be best secured through a
commission, and that the existence of
a commission invested with such pow
ers and authority as are given to like
boards in several of the states, Massa
chusetts and New York, for instance,
would go far towards curing or remOv-
ing all real or fancied grievances.
Gettysburg Monument.
l recommend that liberal provision
be made for the early erection of
suitable monument on the battlefield
of Gettysburg, to mark the spot where
the soldiers of Vermont rendered such
signal service to state and nation, that
it may not become a matter of doubt,
and to commemorate and perpetuate
their patriotism and valor.
United States Senator.
1t will be your duty, and to which l
invite your attention, to elect a United