The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-10-11

is the pest, out, Without urging my OWh
views in that regard, do most earnest
ly recommend to your attention the alb
solute necessity of immediate action OF
some kind for the relief of this class OF
unfortunates, whose capacity to suffer
seems all that is left them.
The appeal of the University OF Yer
mont for substantial aid and support is
commended to the attention of the Leg
islature.
SAVINGS BANKS.
The report of the Inspector of Finance
n regard to savings banks and trust
companies is referred to as follows;
1T should be carefully read by every |
legislator and the recommendations
therein contained considered in connec'
ton with the reasons upon which they
are founded, Most of these institutions
are, in many respects, models OF imam,
cial management; but if disaster shouiu
befall any of them by reason OF too eX-
.ensive investments in Western mott
cages, or because of dividends TO depos-
itors larger than prudent management
would dictate, the Inspector would MOI
be in fault He has repeatedly called
attention to what he conccives to be a
Danger, and has laid the responsibility
for action upon the General Assembly,
In view of the fact that these instltu-
tions now hold upon deposit nearly sew
enteen millions of dollars OF the peo-
pies money, no degree of care in the
enactment of laws regulating its invest
ment can be too great.
In this connection permit me to refer
u the fact that the aggregate amount
Of deposits. less than $500 each, held
by the savings banks and trust compan.-
les of this State are taxed at the rate oil
six-tenths of one per cent. per annum,
which is about one-half the average rate
of taxation imposed by law on those
classes of property embraced In the
grand list. 1t is probably true that the
grand list does not represent all OF in"
taxable property IN the State, aud some
of il NAV not be listed at its full value,
but whether on this account there
should be such a wide difference in the
rate of taxation of the two classes OF
property, is a question for you to deter
mine"
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
Ours is distinctly an agricultural
State, and the general course of legisla p
ton should be such as to encourage the
best possible work in developing TINS lh-
dustry. In General Assembly, such a
large proportion of which 10 made up
of farmers, no recommendations OF
mine can be necessary to inspire legisla-
ton in this direction. Permit me to
suggest, however, that as large manu-
factories operate to produce a home
market for farm products, policy
should be adopted that will encourage
their establishment. We have great
natural advantages which, as yet, are
undeveloped and in which the invest
ments of capital should be encouraged
by all legitimate means.
RAILROADS
After referring to the enactment oil
the Interstate Commerce Law, the Gov
ernor saws: "There is widespread feel
ing in our State that the provisions OF
that law concerning the duties and obli-
!, cations of common carriers in their re-
lations to individuals and to the public
should be. so far as is practicable, In
corporated into the statute laws OF this
, State, with proper penalties for the en-
forcement of the same, and that ems
larged power should be given to the
Board of Railroad Commissioners in
connection Herewith. If, as ia claimed,
the adoption of such provisions will
place all patrons of railroads upon a
common footing, remove unjust dis
examinations wherever they exist. and
serve to alIay any feeling of distrust
founded or unfOunded, now entertained
toward this class of corporations, and.
on the other hand, work no injustice to
the classes to which they are made to
fapply, nothing better could be desired
in legislation. The proposition meets
my approval
The recommendations of the Railroad
| Commissioners are favOrahly comment
ed upon.
THE PROHIBITORY LAW.
As the law now stands it is an eX
ceedingly strong one. Its weakness
lies, to a considerable extent, in the diff
fculty attending its enfo cement. The
person injured does not, as in other cas-
es, enter complaint, look up evidence,
and by his suggestions aid the prosecu-
tor in his work, but by all means in his
power, not infrequently committing the
crime of perjury.sO to do, shields the
man who has ministered to his ruin.
Its ineffectiYeness has also been increas-
ed by want of support on the part Of
the public at large. There has been too
many who, though ,at heart friendly to
the law, lacked the moral courage to
publicly support those who have had to
do with its enforcement. This class has
added weakness to weakness in its I'M
Just criticisms of those who, deserted
by friends and surrounded by foes, have
in most cases performed their duty as
well as the existing circumstances per.
mitted. Gradually, however, better
public sentiment has been developed;
prosecuting officers feel the moral sup
port given; jurors are strengthened in
spirit of independence, and witnesses
begin to comprehend that in evasion
and untruth they are no longer eXcus-
ed much less commended A cores
p)nding weakness is noted on the part
of offenders; in some counties where, a
few years ago, almost all charged with
offences under this law took trial, the |
offender who now dares to face jury |
is the exception. The main difficulties |
are encountered IN the more populous
villages where greater secrecy can be
observed and where, when one convic.
ton has been had and fine has bean
imposed, the offender finds it easy to
place his business in the hands of an
other as the ostensible owner, and so
evades imprisonment in the case of a
second or third prosecution.
Has not the time come when a SEN
tence of imprisonment should follow the
first conviction under this law, and
when provision of that character
xrnt,II do TO o. 81 -, l..
ger villages than any other measure yet
u am strongly of the opinion
that it has but the subject is one which
by its Importance so addresses itself to
your patient scrutiny that suggestions
are unnecessary.
THE SCHOOLS.
On this subject the Governor says
That the present direct system con-
tains serious defects cannot be doubted;
that the common schools have failed in
the character of their work, to keep
abreast with the progress of the timer, is
admitted by all observant people. New
have been proposed and dis
cussed the town system hiss been per-
fected and offered to the people. only to
be rejected, and today we stand in the
position occupied 10 years ago, with the
district system in force in nearly all the
towns of the State, unimproved and full
Of glaring faults.
Recognizing the necessity Of solving
this problem intelligently, the General
Assembly of 1886 enacted law entitled
An act appointing committee of three
to draft a new educational bill, so as to
increase the efficiency an improve the
public schools Of the State" under
which committee, consisting of Hon. =.
Loveland Munson of Manchester, Presl-
dent Ezra Brainerd of Mddlebury Col
ege and Principal S. w. Landon of the
Rnrlinntnn Hinh Srhnnl wing annnintnd