The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-10-14
GOV. PAGES vALEDIoroRY.

The message delivered by Gov. Page
upon the retirement from the executive
position, is an able production, and it
will command vivid attention. Having
made a careful study of the institutions
and interests of the State during the
past two years, Governor Page is we'll
prepared to present in clear, intelligent
and practicable manner the needs of the
State, and his recommendations deserve
the careful attention which they are pref
ty sure to receive. He makes strong
plea for the general adoption of the sys-
TEN of town supervision of schools and
expresses the belief that the time is not
far distant when it will be adopted. 1t
is doubtful whether majority of the
members of the Legislature will favor
the passage of an entirely new school
law at this session in view of the fact
that the system now in use has been
given hardly fair trial. That the pres
ent law is imperfect, however, it's firm
est friends will not claim and it will need
radical revision.
Gov Page takes decided ground in re-
lation to the enforcement of of prohibi-
ton law, and he evidently has little pa
thence with those who claim that the law
is failure. He strikes it at the whole
root of the matter when he speaks of the
elimination of profit from the traffic as
the solution of the prohibition question.
Gov. Page has made a thorough investi-
CATION in relation to the extent to viii III
the law is enforced throughout the State
and the showing made is most gratifying.
| The friends of the law will be encouraged
by Gov. Pages prediction that five years
more of as honest enforcement of the
law has had for the past two will practl.
a IN in 20,
and greatly diminish it in the larger
| towns.
That the present ballot law needs
amendment to considerable extent
! Gov. Page considers probable, but he
thinks its general features should not be
disturbed. The changes that he sug-
gests, as regards emblems after nomina-
lions of each party in separate columns,
so that one mark after the name of the
party at the head of the column would
mean the voting of the straight ticket.
! This would not only save the voter no
| little time and trouble, but it would re-
suit in marked saving of time in count
ing the ballots.
Gov. Pages remarks in relation to a
standard or uniform insurance policy,
the corporation tax law, the re unding of
the direct tax, weekly payments and i'm
| proved highways are deserving of atten-
ton, and the suggestions which he
makes should be carefully considered.
No more vital SUBJECTS discussed in the
entire message, however, than that of
hasty legislation, since all questions are
involved to certain extent, and the
State has suffered from hasty legislation
in almost every department. Coy. Page
in closing pays a tribute to the pros
perity of the State, which all the facts
and indications in the case seem to war
rant. Gov. Pages administration has
covered an importanG as well as prosper
Gus period of the States history, and his
message shows that he has made a care
full and comprehensive study of the vari-
GUS problems which have presented
themselves during his official career as
Governor.-Free Press