Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-11-06
Governor Dillingham's Message.

Gentlemen Of the General assembly .-Inas-
much as the constitution requires the incoming
governor to prepare and lay before the Gen
eral Assembly such business as may appear TO
him to be necessary. | have thought best in
my yaledictory message to confine myself to a
discussion of the operation of such past legis-
lation as babe fair to be of unusual Importance
to the state, was 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-06fcio
a 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
cessor 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 a 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,
1922
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 1890, the act appropriates to
each state complying with certain conditions
the sum of $4,000 for the year ending June
30, 1890, and increased amounts for each sub
sequent year, the money appropriated thereby
to be applied to support in each state and terri
tory of one College of Agriculture and the
Mechanic Arts, provided no distinction of race
IL. r
thereto, and the First Comptroller of the
Treasury has decided that the installment of
the fiscal year 1890, and that also for 1891, are
now due and payable to each state that is en-
titled to receive the same, which installments
amount to S3l 600.
Inasmuch as Vermont, through its legisla-
ture, accepted the terms of the grant Of 1862
and has since maintained a 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 appropriations made under
the act of 1890, have, in response to the re-
quest of the Secretary of the Interior, fur
nished 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 evil
denee that there is no distinction of race or
color in the admission of students thereto recog
nized or made in the state law or in the regula-
tons practice of the institution.
Inasmuch said act provides that pay
ment of such installments of the appropriation
rs shall become due TO any state before the
adjournment of a 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,
haxya tad al s.f he cts IN he
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
doubt that they will be paid to the treasurer OF
the state at no distant day. In the event of
no further legislation upon this subject, these
nstallments of said appropriations. and those
10 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
II appropriation into other channels. | express
no opinion; but, inasmuch as a respectable
number of gentlemen. prominent IN agrlcul-
5ural 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
at the opening of the session to call attention TO
the probable early receipt of the first two in
5tallments as before mentioned, that snch ac-
hon may be taken in the premises as, in your
is deemed legitimate and wise
THE WORK OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRI-
CULTURAL AND MANUFACTURE
ING INTERESTS.
When the legislature of 1883 assembled
there was. as now, well-settled conviction
-. e 1.t1o
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. 10 of the laws of 1888, entitled
5" An act providing for the appointment of
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 be has
known no rest. and in a 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.
If he has failed to collect the statistical in
formation in regard to agricultural interests
and productions of the state as therein pro
vided. it must be remembered that he mas
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 vel
fare, and commend it to your careful CON
sderation.
SWEDISH COLONIZATION.
You will observe that considerable portion
of his report pertains to the scheme inaug-
urated to induce the best class of Swedish
emigrants to come to Vermont and settle upon
what are known as unoceupied or abandoned
farms. and Won will read the same with lively
interest.
The question he presents to your eonsidera-