Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-10-12
.ov nIIIINGHAM's INAUGURAL.
\ Detailed and comprehensive message
InpoItant Reforms Recommended.

Impo,tant Reforms Recommended.
no me General Assembly of the state Of
Vermont;
In the preparation of such business as
nppears to me necessary, in conformity
with the constitutional provision in that
rerard, to lay before the General Assem-
bly.I | have been profoundly impressed
with q sense of the great wisdom eXer-
cised hv the founders of our state, ana Of
the patriotism, purity of purpose ana IN
telligence of those who, since the euopl'on
of the constitution, have enacted, inter-
preted aud administered the laws.
There appears to have been, at all times
q firm purpose to adhere strictly TO the
PRINCIPLES embodied in the declaration OIL
RIGHTS; and to such degree nave the
..ivileges and immunities of the indlvld-
neen protected that present Legislation
I'D. necessarily limited, for the most part
IN those matters that relate more parIlcu-
LARRY to the welfare of the people RS
, hndr And in this direction such prog
rpss has beer made that the law-oreaker Is
more concerned i'll pe1tectlng WhaI mas
oIraodv been established than in the IN
ouguration of new lines of legislation.
REPORTS OF STATE OFFICERS.
Before abiding to few of the many
matters that may occupy your atleh'lo'l
during the present session, wish 10 relel
to the very serious embarrassment suler
ed Inv the incoming governor in his lnabll-
it,, tn find access to the biennial reports OF
tho several state officers in season to be
come familiar with the condition OF puo-
lie business and the requirements Oh INC
different departments prior 10 the uiile
when he must prepare his inaugural au
dress. Some of the most important vi
these REPORTS have not yet come uhuer my
eva others were received TOO late 10 ne vi
anv substantial service while only lie"
,oare obtained in season to ne properly
considered. The fault does not rest on the
state officers. but lies in the PROVISIONS OF
the law. and | recommend such amend
r,euts thereto as will make the fiscal year
+, tho state correspond with that oil the
General government and end with the last
~ lime and that ali laws relating to the
nrannration and printing of reports Of
Gt.to officers be so amended as to make
.nrh reports forthcoming one month
earlier than at present.
FINANCES.
The following statement prepared ny the
State Treasurer shows the llabllltleS ana
resources OF the Stale az VIC Ni'"0 VI Wv
last fiscal year.
LIABILITIES.
Due towns. U. S. surplus. ,o,eo-
Due H'g soldiers, unpaid bal ,-oo-
auces.............-.. 80 0''''-''
Due agricultural college
fund represented 10y
State bonds, falling que
June !, 1880. interest pay
ane % we coieso ..' $780, l35,5OOOO
Due on appropriation for
Getty Shurg monument .ocoon
ana grounds ''''''''''' o,-~@0-sl6}, 056.3i
RESOURCES
Cash on hand and in ,o.,,,
banks. ................ - 0o'Oo-'o'
Il tluatcd amount OF tax
from C,TpUIatlOns Tor ,,,o, oo
Estimated proceeds from
balance OF Huntington ,,ooooo
fund stCIrItcs...........' l''Voo'o' s,,t ne, m
II will be noticed that the resources
now provided tor exceed present Iaplll-
lies in the sum of Sl61 ,lO5 SO, Inns result
is more satisfactory Wheh cousluete.y' III
connection with the other lacu, lhdO ut'I
ing the last biennial term the alounL Oh
state expenses has been greater by SIoo-
$50 20 than that OF the last preceding lerm
As to the causes contributing 10 unls IN
crease OF expenses YOU are reltfltu " .ne
report Of the auditor otaccounls, III "uIcn
YOU will find a full statement Oh me saint
In this connection desire TO CAL your
attention especially to that portion OF the
nnditOr's report in which he discusses
court expenses and the great saving 70 Ine
State since 1850 i'll the enforcement ol lne
rule requiring justices OF the peace ana
other persons holding, or Responsible LOT,
nd T.