Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-10-10
Governor Dillinsham'S Message.

governor to prepase and lay before the Cen
eral Assembly such business may appear to
him to be necessary, | have thought best in
my valedictory message to confine myself to
discussion of the operation of such past legis-
laton as babe fair to be of unusual importance
to the state, somewhat experimental in its
character, and whose workings | have watched
with warm interest and had opportunity to
Judge. shall, however, omit any reference
to the Vermont State Asylum for the Insane.
now in process of construction at Waterbury,
for the reason that by the terms of the act
authorizing its erection was made, er-QBfcio,
member of the Board of Trustees. and hav-
ing acted with them and joined in their report
to this honorable body. prefer that my sue
shall speak of the institution and its
needs as they represent themselves to his judg-
ment.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE FUND.
| have recently received communication
from Hon. John w. Noble, Secretary of the
Interior, calling my attention to an act of
congress, approved August 30, 1890. entitled
An act to apply q portion of the pro-
ceeds of the public lands to the more
complete endowment and support of the col
leges for the benefit of Agriculture and the
Mechanic Arts established under the pro-
visions of an act of congress, approved July I'd,
1862"
1t appears by the report upon the same. made
by the Commissioner of Education, that though
passed and approved subsequent to the close of
the fiscal year 1880, the act approprates to
each state complying with certain conditions
the sum of $3.50 for the year ending June
30, lS!N, and increased amounts for each sub
sequent year, the money appropriated thereby
to be applied to support in each state and terri
tory of College of Agriculture and the
Mechanic Arts, provided no distinction of race
or color is made in the admission of students
thereto, and the First Comptroller of the
Treasury has decided that the instalment of
the fiscal year 1890. and that also for 1891. are
due and payable to each state that is en-
titled to receive the same, which installments
amount to S}l 900.
Inasmuch as Vermont, through its legisla-
ture, accepted the terms of the grant of 1862
and has since maintained College of Agricul-
ture and the Mechanic Arts which has received
the benefits of said act. and the state is there
fore entitled to the app preparations made under
the act of 1870, have i'll response to the
quest of the Secretary of the Interior, fur
nshed him with copy of the charter of the
Vermont University and State Agricultural
College, with the rules and regulations of said
institution, both certified by the Secretary of
State. and have furnished him written eyi-
dence that there is no distinction of race or
color in the admission of 81 udents thereto recog-
nzed or made i'll the state law in the regula-
tons or practice of the institution.
lnasmuch as said act provides " that pay
ment OF such installments OF the appropriation
as shall become due TO any state before the
adjournment of regular session of the
legislature meeting next after the passage
of this act shall be made upon the assent of the
governor thereof duly certified to the secre-
tary of the treasury | have communicated to
the department information that there has been
no regular session since the approval of said
act, and, as authorized by the act referred to,
l have assented in behalf of the state to the
purposes of said grants.
Since the transmission of said papers | have
received no communication from the secretary
and can not of course say whether the same
will be received completed proofs of the
right OF Vermont to the payment of the in
stallments now due. but | have no reason to
he Ia, he {
the state at no distant day. In the event of
no further legislation upon this subj ect, these
installments of said appropriations and those
to follow in the future, will undoubtedly go to
the University of Vermont and state Agricul-
tural College under the provisions of its char
ter. Upon the question Of the right of the
legislature to adopt measures for the diversion
of appropriation into other channels, | express
no opinion; but, inasmuch as a respectable
number OF gentlemen. prominent in agricul-
tural circles, have indicated to me their pur-
pose to ask for the establishment of a separate
and distinct institution for instruction in agri-
culture and the mechanic arts, to be supported
by such appropriation, have deemed it my duty
at the opening of the session to call attention to
the probable early receipt Of the first two in
stallments as before mentioned, that such
ton may be taken in the premises as, in your
Judgment is deemed legitimate and wise.
THE WORK OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRI-
CULTURAL AND MAHUFACTUR
ING INTERESTS.
When the legislature of 1883 assembled
there was. now, a wel-settled conviction
that the resources of Vermont, both as a man
ufacturing and agricultural state were too
little known to the world and that means
should be devised to advertise the advantages
which the state offers to those seeking to make
new homes. Legislative thought finally took
form in No. 40 of the laws of 1888. entitled
" An act providing for the appointment of a
commissioner to investigate the agricultural
and manufacturing interests of the state, and
devise means to develop the same" Realiz-
ing the Importance of selecting for the posi-
ton OF commissioner man of sound judgment,
experienced in business, of good general in
formation, | finally selected Hon. A. b. Val
entine OF Bennington, and after considerable
importantly induced him to accept the posi-
ton. In the discharge of these duties he has
known no rest, and in perusal of his report
may be seen the evidence of his great industry,
his good faith, and an honest purpose to ac-
complish something for the good of the state.
IT he has failed to collect the statistical in
formation in regard to agricultural interests
and productions of the state as therein pro-
yided, it must be remembered that he has
faithfully employed the only machinery for the
collection OF such statistics that was provided
by law, and the fault therefore can not rest
upon him.
His report, embodying the result of his own
observation and study, is exceedingly valuable.
and well calculated to arouse thought on the
part of those most interested in the states wei
fare, and l commend it to your careful CON
sideration.
SWEDISH COLONIZATION.
You will observe that a considerable portion
OF his report pertains to the scheme naug-
urated to induce the best class of Swedish
emigrants to come to Vermont and settle upon
what are known unoccupied or abandoned
farms, and you will read the same with lively
interest.
ii The question he presents to your considera-
on relates to the continuance or abandonment
Of the experiment already inaugurated but
not yet fully solved, to induce good class of
emigrants to purchase lands and make homes
in our midst thus ministering TO the wealth
and prosperity of our state In considering the
question it will be well to remember that for a
good many wears there has been a constant IL