Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-10-12

things exists or where the public sentl-
ment is more healthy upon TINS all I'M
pOrtant question OF public concern. AT
the same time venture to assert without
fear OF denial that the Illegal sale of in
toXicating liquors and the use of SUCH az
a beverage, even here III our favored
State, is a direct cause of more crime,
trouble and sorrow, the blight OF more
homes and the extiuguishment of more
bright hopes of happiness, than all other
causes combined. If am correct in TINS
you cannot fail to take lively interest,"
in the question, and by earnest ana ulli-
gent endeavur give such AID IN the PR
misses as in your Judgment 1t Is possiole
to render by or through legislative actlon'
RAILROAD COMMISSION.
The matters and interests committed to
the railroad commission are OF great sly,
ntticance, and their Importance Is second
to but few, If any, other SUBJECTS over
which the State has to a certain eAtehl
supervision -
iudge of the intrinsic value to the State of
the commission Much was expected OF
it, and so far as | can judge IT'S Work mas
been such us to give general SATISFACTION
The report of the commission Will be be-
fore you, ana Will nave, / uouol MOI, SouI
careful attention.
This report gives unmStakable evidence
of an industrious and painstaking effort
ON the part of the commissioners TO DO,
with great thoroughness, whatever they
have conceived to be their duty under
their appointment and also like evidence
that their action has at all times been In
partial, Independent and Intelligent;
1t is not my purpose to dwell at length
upon this subject, yet am moved TO stlg
gest that if the act of lSSO' by W1 WI Vne
commission was created, should De SO
amended as to make IT more III accord
with the provisions (such as are appiicaple
to a State enactmenO of the so-called inter
State commerce law of Congress, lncluu-
ing some or all of the PROVISIONS OF the
uendiug proposals of amendments there
TO: aud so as to give further
power, authority aud direction to
The commission to initiate and
carry ont inquiries, eXamluaIlou5 anu
proceedings in its discretion or OTHERWISE
upon its own motion. as to matters which
it may now investigate, upon complaint or
petition, the hands of the commission
would be strengthened and its opportun-
tiles for correcting real abuses or grleV-
ances, and Of demonstrating the want OF
actually as to supposed OF imaginary ones
would be thereby greatly enlarged
THE NATIONAL GUARD.
An examination of the reports OF the
adjutant and inspector general, the quar-
termaster general, and mpanylhS
documents and statements, Will put you
in possession of all material facts BEARING
upon the strength, condition and needs OF
the militia, and TO that source OF lhlotma-
ton You are referred. You will lind these
reports exhaustive on the subject, ana re
plete with evidence of enthusiastic inter-
est. and admirable efficiency on the part
Of the officers of the command, and of a
satisfactory and cUmnendabls condition
of the command itself, call your atten-
ton To the recommendations OF the adJu-
tant aud Inspector general that
the force he enlarged to a limited eX-
tent the views and suggestions Of tins eN-
perienced aud earnest servant OF the state
III consideration of his long, faithful ana
efficient service merit your cOnsluerate
attention.
AT the last session of the Legislature,
provision was made--see Act No. ll3-tor
providing the Guard with the newest and
most improved arms and equipments thal
The national government may nave IN Use
at the time OF re equipment" ana par
tial appropriation was made TO carry the
provision into effect, providing that the
balance of the expense could be met by
sale or exchange Of military stores, arms
or equipments tuen on hanu ana SuoJeC'
to be condemned. | am pleased TO be able
| to say that through the means thus pro
| vided, and the commendable business
tact and energetic effort ut the quarter
master general, the new and improved
arms and equipments have been procured
and are now in the hands OF the mllltla,
and in those regards every want Is sup
piled. | feel warranted III saying that
there has not been any retrOgre5slon IN
the condition or efficiency of the national
guard during the now expiring admins
tratiOu that in character and reliability II
is equal to any emergency That may de
maud its aid and protection and trust II
will continue to have the liberal support
and merited encouragement OF the STATE
The commission created by joint reSolll
ton of 1866, No. ll9, for the purpose OF In
Vestlgatlug and inqulrlng AS to the eHpe
dieucy of establishing permanent camp
ing grounds has not completed ITS Work
| am, however, ssured that its report vii
be presented to you at an cary day.
GETTYSBURG MONUMENT.
BY Act No. 2l5 Of the session laws OF
1856 provision was made and direction
gwen for the purchase of lands OF espe
cldl interest, construction OF avenues auu
| drlveways, rebuilding and repair OF earth
works, aud otherwise caring Tor and beau
Ufylug the Gettysburg. battlefield ground,
by the officers Of the gettysburg Battle
field Memorial association and Tor the
purpose of purchasing and erecting suit
able monuments on or near such grounds
to commemorate and perpetuate the con
spicuous valOr and herolsm OF Vermont
soldiers on that decisive battlefield OF tn
war of the Rebellion"
BY the provisions OF said act, this WORK
of patriotism was comm ted to Il commits
sion, to consist OF the governor OF thE
State and one member from each Of th'
regiments and the companies of sharp
shooters present and three members from
tue State at large, 20 be appointed by th'
governor. The commission WIS duly ap
pointed and early 10 the spring OF 1881 /
visited Gettysburg for an examination o
the battlefield and the better consldera
ton OF the important matters committed
To II. One OF the immediate results U
This visitation was to satisfy the commits
sion That the work in hand was OF create
magnitude than had been previously un
derstood or estimated also to give som
oil It's members more correct IDEA as u
the decisive part taken IN The battle b.
Vermont troops furthermore to aCqualn
them all for the first time with the grea
ial undertakings OF other State
upon the ield ,aud mOreOyer,tO thorough
Impress upon them that che pride and hol
or Of Vermont, and us duty 10 It's sOldie
sons, living and dead, demanded thoroug
work at their hands-demanded that In
monuments of the State there to be erect
non ,xrit "a,