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

salnted Lincoln, that this nation, under
| God, shall have II new birth of fr eedom and
that government of the people, by the peo-
pie, and for the people shall not perish from
the earth.
OBITUARY.
Since the session of 1890 our State has
been called upon to mourn tho death Of two
! OF Nermout's ex-governors, Hon. John
| Gregory Smith, who was her chief execut-
i've from 1863 to 1860, and Hon. Paul Dill
lingham who was lieutenant governor dur
! ing the same period and governor for the
two years Immediately following. Their
deaths remove the entire line of distinguish
ell men who presided over the destinles of
our state prior to 1870, with the single ex-
ception of the venerable Gov. Iolbrook
who, though so years Of age, still enjoys
comparatively good health at his home in
| Brattleboro
Gov Paul Dillingham; was for many
years one Of the leading attorneys Of our
State Fifty years ago last month Yer
mont elected him to the national Congress
rs one of her honored represen tatives, a
| position he held until 1915. He took deep
interest in our colnry's welfare from 1851
| to 1860, giving two sons to her service, one
OF whom, Major Edwin Dillingham;, offered
M his life on the altar Of his country at
! Winchester, Va, on the 10 day of Septem
Der, 1864
Gov Dillingham; died AZ the ripe age of
/ 02 years. Up to within short time prior
to his death he was in the possession OF the
full vgor OF his faculties, continuing in
| partnership with his distinguished son,
Gov. William F. Dillingham;, until 1856
Gov. Smith was identified with the ma
terial interests of our State more promi-
nently perhaps than any other man in her
history. For more thnn 40 years he
was the executive head of tho lead
ing railroad system of Vermont, and
during that time it is not too much
to say that he always gave to the state the
best raiIroal service consistent with due
regard to the rights OF his stockholders.
lie believed that the welfare of his road
was best subserved by the development OF
Nermout's material interests and acted eo-
cordingy.
AS Nermont's war governor he displayed
executive ability OF u high order and his
name will ever be remembered with fervent
affection by the veterans of 1861, who had
reason to know and value his pains-taking
labors to the end that every comfort which
an apprecative State could bestow was
promptly provided.
The death OF Hon. Luther O. Greene,
which occurred on the 18th day Of Septem
brr, 1871 deprived the State of its able in
sfector OF finance He was II conscientious
and pains taking public servant, and while
utterly devoid of osteutation or display
there was manifest in all his official acts a
thoroughness which entities his administrn-
ton to rank among the best. On the 23rd
day OF October | appointed Hon. Fred G.
Field Of Springfield his successor.
Since the last session of the Leg stature
Mrs. Horace Fairbanks has presented the
State a fine portrait in oil OF her late hus.
band who was Nermonts honored governor
from 1916 to 1873. In the long line of
Vermont distinguahed sons, whose acts OF
large hearted philanthropy and benevoence
have enshrned them in the affections of
her people, none holds larger place than
Horace Fairbanks. | have in behalf of
Vermont thanked Mrs. Fairbanks for this
worthy addition to the collection OF por
traits which adorn the walls Of the execu-
tive chamber
HASTY LEGISLATION.
During the last afternoon and evening of
the session OF 80 | was called to pass upon
4 bills, covering nine tenths of the import
ant legislation OF the session, including the
Australian ballot Law, tine new school law,
and the act making appropriations for State
expenses for the two years then ensuing.
, The last named act included the corporation
r tax law. When considered with reference
to their bearing upon the prosperity and
} welfare of the State, the school law and the
bill for the support OF the government were
, OF greater Importance than all the other
, legislation OF the session combined, and these
two bills reached me between 2 and 1 o clock
? in the morning, with the probability of an
, adjournment within 80 minutes thereafter.
3 The constitution imposes upon the COVER
, nor the duty OF an examination OF all en-
, actments of the General Assembly. Pro
, crastination Of this kind is not only detri-
mental to the best interests of the State,
but is virtually depriving the governor OF
his constitutional prerogatve. He should
be allowed a reasonable time to consider all
) important bills. 1t may be stated, with
t reference to the school law, that the assist
; ance Of the Supreme Court had to be in
voked to interpret it, while the Australian
ballot law had to be supplemented by enact
ments of the special session.
9 | appeal to you as sensible men, sworn to
l the faithful discharge OF your duty, to in
$ sist upon prompt action upon all the more
70 important bills of The session. When com
Y mittees TO whom bills ars referred for con
q sheraton fail to do their duty in promptly
i considering them, call upon them in terms
lnuI luoy Gun not ullsunueEStduu 10 give AT
o account OF their stewardship. BY pursuing
T. any other course you will return home witt
a the responsibility resting upon your shout
Q doris of having passed laws 60 crude and Sc
p unsatisfactory AS to render you justly amen
q able to tue charge OF unfaithtulne5s and o
g an unbusinesslike procrastination which. i
b carried into your personal and private af
b fairs, would mean certain bankruptcy.
t Too much legislation is to be deprecated
re- Special legislation is generally unwiso. At
i tend to the important work OF the session
7 with busincsslike promptitulo and go home
CONCLUsIuN.
A can not close my official rotations wit
b. the state without.congr graduating you on tn
"a large measure of material prosperity Ell
n joyed by almost every interest within GU
a borders during the past two years. Gu
g farmers have been blessed with exception
ally good crops, while prices for products 0
tho farm have as n whole been fairly salts
- factory. The artisan and the laborer hav
mr. nHmAn1