Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-10-13

intention of erecting other buildings, which
will greatly convenience and promote the
usefulness OF tho institution
A new farm has been purchased adjacent
to the University, new agricultural build
ings hnvo been erected thereon and the
agricultural department established upon
modern basis having the latest
facilities. ] think it can be said that the
agitation that has taken place has been of
great benefit to the school, in that its wants
have been sharply called to the attention OF
the benevolent, and that the trustees, alive
to the demands upon them, have provided
literally, to the extent OF boldness, in max
Ing provision from the funds of tho institu-
ton for the wants of the school.
am satisfied there is sufficient enthus-
iasm with the faculty to cause them to meet
the new conditions with an earnest purpose
to give the student the very best they can
devise, and believe that what has been &C
comp,ishcd warrants the continued fostering
caro- of the State. 1t certainly would be a
public calamity for any harm to befall the
institution.
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
The attempt to maintain an agricultural
bureau in Vermont has always received
scant support from those most interested,
and therefore small and inadequate eppro-
priatons have been made.
/ think it good business policy for the
State to increase the opportunities respon-
sibilites, aud duties of tho board of agricul-
ture. There can be committed to this board
with advantage the collecting of nforma-
ton in connection with unoccupied or un-
cultivated land, putting in statistical form
all information that can be gathered con
corning the same and promoting in this
way any desirable change in ownership
they might be charged with inquiry con-
corning the forests n matter too much neg
lected and about which variety OF opin-
ions are held; they might be charged with
the furnishing OF information concerning
better roads, how to mako them and the
best kind for any particular locality. They
could assist in the formation of farmer S
clubs, IN the employ and management OF ex-
pert assistants for our dairy interests, and
in the establishment and promotion OF ag-
ricultural affairs in many now ways.
Four years ago an attempt was made to
induce Swedish Immigration upon some OF
the abandoned farms OF this State. Such
inquiry as | have been abo to make con
corning this experiment reveal the fact that
the usual result followed, and that the
y Z
centers, leaving the older people to care for
the farm.
This is not because of the class of people
that came, or because they became dissatis-
fled with the land, but is incident to our
modern civilization without a full recogni-
ton of which, we cannot hope to obtain the
best results in any attempt to maintain the
supremacu of our State.
1t would be good investment to furnish
the bureau OF agriculture with suitable
means to continue this inquiry.
1t is to be hoped that you will see your
way clear to enlarge the powers OF the
board Of agriculture and to increase the
appropriation to an adequate amount.
The increasing magnitude of the dairy
interests Of the State warrants the giving
of more attention to this industry. In this
connection it is proper 20 noto the work of
the dairymens association as important
ana growing. and it should receive that en-
couragement which it demands.
pROHIBlToRY LAW
Public sentiment sustains the rigid en-
forcement of the prohibItory laws OF the
State to a commendabe degree. We ought
to see toit, therefore, that nothing IS done to
retard its heulthful growth or bring i'll re
Sentences for crime ought to be in pro
portion to the offence committed 10 one
will pretend that violation of tho prohibi-
tory law deserves life sentence, but by
tho operations of the mathematical rule Of
cumulative sentences under the present pro-
visions Of tho law, tbs legal period may
reach lar beyond the natural life Of The
prisoner, in which case the severity OF the
law that compsls such a cruel sentence
would be held up AZ an argument against
its proper enforcement and would appeal 81
strongly to the sympathy OF the general
public that repeated Instances Of tins lll.I
might set in motion Il wave of unhealthy
agitation that would sweep away tine WORK
of years.
Would it not be well in impos
ing sentence for non payment OF
fines in liquor cases, that a period lie fixed
beyond which the sentence could not ex-
tend, say three or five years no matter the
amount Of the fine imposed II it could
be shown to the court that the responder
was destitute of property from which be
could raise the money to pay the fine, il
might be well. in first offences, Tor the
court to impose n sentence TO the extreme
limit Of the law, and at the same tine re
pose in the court power to collect a certain
amount IN money aud then to take a bond
for the remainder. This should be valid
and enforced ii the respondent is ever guilty
of q second offence. You'd not the giving
of such a bond operate as n restraining IN
tiuence upon the offender to keep him out
OF the liquor business? As it is, there is
too much temptation for him to try and
recoup himself by increased sales Certain
~ there should be no letting up Of the pur
suit Of the rum seller; every avenue should
be closely guarded, and the pressure gradu
ally frightened until ho abaudons tie bust.
ness or fees the State.
REFORM SCHOOL.
Tho report Of the trustees Of the Reform
School shows that there were on tho 3Otl
day of June, 1892, ~ girls and 81 boys on
furlough from the institution, and thai
there were 3 girls and II boys present at
the institution.
Total expenses for the biennial term
have utcu ........,. .....- /. ~, lGS. d.
Total ruCClp;b from the operation Of
tac school have heen..... ........ 3.2D1.g'
Leaving "a net eXpeLso to tho state OF. .9uiJ.1,
with ample means it would he wise t.
attempt Il more thorough classification Oh
the inmates, but as it Is I think the best in
terests of tho State viii be suhserved if the
e.. - IL