The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-10-10

congress, including some or all OF the pro-
visions of the pending proposals of amend
ments thereto; and so as to give further
power, authority and direction to the COM
mission to initiate and carry out inquiries,
examinations and proceedings in its discre-
ton or otherwise, upon its oiCn motion, as TO
matters which it may now investigate, upon
complaint or petition, the hands of the COM
mission would be strengthened and its OPP
pOrtunities for correcting real abuses or
grievances, and of demonstrating the want
of actually as to supposed or imaginary
ones would be thereby greatly enlarged
THE SOLDIERS HOME.
The Soldiers Home, located at Benning-
ton, may, | assume, be considered as a
state institution for the support and main
tenance OF which the good faith and pat
riOtisn OF the state is unfiinChingly pledged,
so long as " deserving soldier or sailor "
remains to claim its shelter and enjoy its
comforts. Assuming this, | will omit say
ing what ] might otherwise present by way
of an appeal to your patriotism, and en-
largng upon and simplifying as to the OBJ
legations of the state TO the surviving and
needy defenders of the nation when its
very existence was in deadly peril and its
flag assailed and sought to be destroyed by
the hand of treason. This assumption
leads me unhesilatingly to another, and
that is, that you will only want to know as
to the needs Of the home to make cheerful
and prompt provisions for meeting them.
From this information | point you to the
report Of the trustees of the Home, which
will be before you, and from it you can sat
isiy yourselves as to all facts and details
pertaining to this more than commeudable
undertaking. To repeat them here cannot
he necessary. Among other things set
forth in the report is the fact that there is
no provision of law requiring the trustees
to make report to the governor or general
assembly, as is required by other like or
similar boards. Bearing upon this subject,
the trustees at "A late meeting passed the
following resolution: ReSolred That in
the opinion of the trustees of the Soldiers
home of Vermont, bill should be pro-
posed and introduced in the legislature of
this state which shall make it the duty of
the trustees to make an animal report to
the governor of the state of the moneys re-
ceived and expended in support of the
home, of its financial condition. and of the
number of veterans received and dis
charged" 1t seems hardly necessary to
even suggest that this opinion of the trus-
tees should be regarded and acted upon at
this session, and that such further legsla
ton be had as to this matter as the merits
Of the home may demand.
LEGISLATION BY JOINT RESOLUTION.
Several of the joint resolutions of last
session were not sent to me for my signature
although in more than one such instance
provision was made for compensation to
individuals for services to be rendered
Such resolutions when lacking executive
approval want the force of law necessary to
Justify the payment of money from the treas
ury. This subject is brought to your at
tention in the hope that greater caution NAV
prevail as to this mode of legislative action.
1t was well remarked by one of my pre-
decessors in commenting upon this subject,
=" every legislative act ought to have the
safeguards of the readings and usual refer
ence."
JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT.
In September, 1887, the Hon William II.
Walker resigned his position sixth assist
ant judge of the supreme court and APP
pointed the Hon. James NJ. Tyler to fill the
the vacancy. a request was made to me
from highly respectable source that the
vacancy be allowed to remain until the
present session of the legislature. In view
of the duty imposed by the Constitution in
reference to filling vacancies, it is at least
questionable whether any discretion is
given to the executive. | had no doubt as
to the matter independent of the constitu-
tional question / had before me the fact
that upon several occasions of recent date
the state, through its general assembly, had
declined to diminish the number of its
judges so that the expressed wish of the
state in that regard seemed to be in accord
with the constitutional provisions that " the
governor shall supply every vacancy in any
office occasioned by death or otherwise un-
til the office can be filed" etc.
AGRICULTURE.
The experience and intelligence of this
presence in all that pertains to this subject
forbids me from assuming to give light or
instruction, and it seems Supertluous to say
that its overshadowing Importance is such
that whatever its advancement or encour-
agement demands at your hands should be
promptly accorded and provided for. This
interest or subject is practically the mate
rio al n hn Gflf sal nd al
other interests, industries and callings so
largely depend upon it that its care, protec
ton and advancement should have the first
place in your deliberations; and If this all
absorbing and important interest is suffer
ing from, or is trammeled by, any substantial
hindrances or grievances within the reach
of proper legislation to cure or remove, your
line of duty cannot be doubtful and your
steps should not be measured save by due
and proper regard for the rights and protec-
ton of every other interest and industry
within the state, and by an avoidance of the
ills liable to flow from so-caled class legis-
lation. As an exponent of, and one of the
means whereby this interest may be fostered
and advanced by the state, stands the
STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
am pleased to believe that the board of
agriculture is in and of itself a success; and
that its work, for the last two years at least,
has been fully up TO expectations; that its
meetings nave Dttu III UNUSUAL INTEREST anu
of great advantage to the interests it has
had in charge, and | commend it to you for
encouragement and favorable consideration.
Standing along by the side of the board of
agriculture, and as a co-worker in devising
means and measures and applying them
for the advancement of the farming inter-
ests of the state is
THE EXPERIMENT STATION.
To this aid and instrument in forwarding
the agricultural interests, call your earnest
and patient attention. | submit that the
station may be well considered and treated
an important agency in the field of
material prosperity to our people; that
under the management of its present eN-
cellent and especially well adapted director,
it is meeting a long-eXisting want; that its
further and continued beneficial service
and advantages will be up to the full
measure or degree of the fostering care and
material encouragement it shall have at the
hands of the state.
IN CONCLUSION.
AS the concluding act of my Office let me
extend TO you, and through you TO the peo-
Pile at large, my congratulations upon the
peace harmony and general contentment
that prevail throughout the state. Let me
ventilre To remark briefly as TO legislation