The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-10-14
GOV. FULLER's MESSAGE.

That Gov. Fuller will make one of the
most careful and efficient executives
which the Green Mountain State has had
is fully indicated by perusal of his first
message, says the FresS Press, which was
delivered last week Thursday His
treatment of the various topics discussed
shows that he already has thorough
grasp upon the various problems which
confront the people of Vermont, and
that he has studied the needs of the
commonwealth to some purpose is de-
monstrated by the nature and extent and
in some cases the originality of his reco-
mendations. Gov. Fuller has made a
thorough inspection of the varions State
institutions and he presents compre-
hensive statement as to their condition
and needs.
Upon Gov. Fuller's various visits to
the University of Vermont and State
Agricultural college he has been impress
sed with the progress made in the i'm
provement of facilities and methods for
furnishing to the youth of the State
opportunities for securing higher edu-
cation. He speaks at length of the
various material improvements recently
made as well as the raising of the stand
ards in the various departments, and of
other indications of intellectual life and
progress. Governor Fuller also devotes
a large part of his message to the States
penal and charitable institutions, and
while he finds need of changes and i'm
provements, the conditions of these in
situations in creditable to the State.
Turning to the work of the Legislature
Gov. Fuller speaks of the usual presence
of a large number of new legislators in
L,o, olN oc
biennial system and of the more impera-
tive necessity for thorough study and
understanding of the various measures.
He speaks of the evils resulting from
hastily legislation and urges members to
take all the time necessary to do justice
to the matters in hand and to the States
interests. The governor also treats at
length all of the leading questions which
are to demand the attention of the Legis-
lature.
In speaking of the prohibitory law
Gov Fuller says that public sentiment
SustainS its rigid enforcement. He says
further that sentences for crimes oughtto
be in proportion to the offense commit
ted and he shows how cumulative SEN
fences under the present provisions of
the law may reach the natural life of the
offender In view of this fact he inquiries
quite pertinently whether in imposing
sentences for the non-payment of fines
in liquor cases it might not be well to
fixed period beyond which the sentence
could not extend and he suggests three
or five years. He would have every
avenue closely guarded, however, and
the pressure upon the rumseller tighten
ed until he abandons the business in this
State at least
Governor Fuller's recommendation in
relation to the increase of the power of
the State Board of Agriculture has an
important bearing upon the States
material interests. AS shown by the ex-
perience of other States the Board of
Agriculture can institute and promote
projects that will add materially to the
wealth and prosperity of the State, and
the Legislature will do well to devote
thoughtful consideration to this recon-
endatlon. Gov. Fuller's plea for road
improvement is also timely, and it should
be effective.
While Gov. Fuller does not believe in
changing our State system of education
too frequently, he urges upon the Legis-
lature the duty of devising ways and
means to further elevate the standing
of the schools of the State. He holds
that the town system of supervision
would give the best results, but he re-
cOgnizes the fact that it would work hard
ship to some of the smaller districts
in the more sparsely settled commune
ties.
Gov. Fuller also discusses in detail the
necessity for revising the ballot law, the
needs of the State militia, and the sub
jects of railroads, fisheries, salaries of
State boards and various questions likely
to be acted upon by the Legislature
The message is thoughtful and able
production and if members of the Legis-
lature are guided by its recommendations
they will not go far astray.
Misc ana dourbtar of n II U,,l