Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-10-14
GOVERNOR PAGE.
Retiring Message.

Gentlemen of tie Senate and House Of Representatives.
The Constitution of State has wisely made it the
duty the Governor prepare and lay before you such
matters as him to demand your consideration
Whether the retiring Governor should far respass
upon the perogatves of the Governorelec to attempt
mark your of action, is debatabe question
The administration of public affairs for the next biennial
period is his administration; its failure, its
popularity unpopularty depends in no small degree
upon his advice and his recommendations
Prior 1876 retiring messages in Vermont not
common, but, naugurated by Governor Fairbanks and
continued by Governor Proctor and his worthy
the has to be honored to such extent
that do not feel that may properly depart from it.
But in what have say, shall confine myself to few
of the important matters suggested by
piring during the two years of my administration.
The Governorelcct has, during the past month, made
the examination of several State institutions his
special work. and will make such suggestions with refer
ence thereto he deems advisable, and deem it only
an act of courtesy to him to omit any recommendations
concerning these institutions You will have before you
the reports of the heads of the several departments which,
with such special recommendations the incoming Gov
ernor may Offer will guide you in such legsla-
tive action you will be called upon to take
1t is, however, but just to the officials with whom
have been associated during the past years. say in
est and recall single instance of remssness dere
LECTION in duty If anything has occurred in any depart
which in any way reflects dscredit upon the State,
it has not to my notice
An examination of the various official reports will show
l believe, that with hardly exception the different
institutions of the State have been conducted upon
basis of reduced expenditure and that without in the
slightest degree mpairing the efficiency of the service
EDUCATION
The school law of 1890 the result of a compromise
between widely differing factions which, during the last
of the session. brought forth piece of patch
work so ambiguous that felt compelled to call upon the
Supreme Court to say what the Legislature did and did
not design to You will doubtless be called upon
ecy such of its provisions two years experience
has demonstrated be unwse unless of the best
educators of State insist should be DONE conclude
to start from the bottom and build new system based
upon the idea fast being adopted by sister states
that the only plan is that prcdicated upon
rather than district supervision.
The general trend of thought in all advanced educa-
tional work favor the system of schools
and believe that the time is far distant when it will
be adopted in Vermont. Although involving greater
outlay it certainly better teachers and better
schools.
l especially urge that this is the important of all
topics which will before you for considerations
Early in the session it should be placed in the hands of
committee made up of the abest and strongest of your
respective bodies, to the end that hasty legislation there
be avoided, and the best possible results reached
With foreign element pouring in upon the rate of
100000 annually, the safety of institutions will be
endangered unless that element be assimilated
Patriotic everywhere are looking upon this great sub
ect with alarm. This Heterogeneous only be
made homogeneous by education, and unless willing
to make great sacrifices order that the second genera
ton may, by education become mbued with the spirit of
republican institutions, the time far distant when
we shall be compelled either to maintain a standing army
to suppress anarchy, to close doors to the emf
grants of the world
You will have before you the report of the Superinen
dent of Education 1t contains the results of the expe
rience not only of the Superintendent himself but also
of the County Supervisors of the State.
DEAF AND DUMB BLIND AND FEEBLE MINDED.
Under the laws of State the Governor is made
missioner of the deaf and dumb the blind and the feeble
minded The appropriation for these benehciaries is