The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-10-10
Governor Woodbury's Inaugural.

pOFSIuOl NOOuDuiy ooSiho hio mus
sage with a passage of thanksgiving
that would we'll become the proclama
ton he will issue, in the usual course of
events, some eight weeks hence. This
paragraph is fitting 1t is true that
Vermont has suffered far less from the
financial disasters and the business de-
preston that have, in other states,
been so destructive and have caused so
much distress. The governor does we'll
appropriately to note this relatively
happy condition of things in the state
whose chief magistracy he has just as
sumed.
The governor refers briefly to the
finances of the state, to matters of tax
alton, and to the condition of the state
institutions. The recommendation
relative to the asylum for the insane at
Waterbury will attract attention and Gre
ate discussion as to the wisdom of COM
pleting the asylum in accordance with
his excellency's recommendation
which, we believe, conform to the orig
inal plans adopted when the governor,
in his capacity of lieutenant governor,
was member of the board of trustees
or in accordance with some other plan
involving smaller expenditure. The
governors recommendations are en-
titled to the consideration that would
be given to the judgment of prac-
teal man of affairs who has been sue
cessful in his own enterprises, and who,
it is fair to assume, would not seek TO
commit the state to line of action and
an expenditure that he would not sane
ton in the management of his personal
business.
His excellency does not seem to be
entirely satisfied with the Australian
system of voting. Faults in the exist
ing law, disclosed at the late election,
constitute the grounds of the governors
criticisms. A ballot law, under which
'no one, however intelligent" as the
governor says, "can vote without ex-
periencing some trepidation for fear
that he will make mistake" is a fit
subject for the investigation the execu
tive advises the Legislature to make.
The square at the top of the ticket
ought to 90, and all below it, if disfran-
chisement of one voter, say nothing of
the "ten per cent of the voters practi-
cally DISTINGUISHED" of which Governor
Woodbury. speaks, cannot otherwise be
prevented. The formulating of law
simple and easily ineligible in the
forms and requirements of legal voting
is task for level-headed men of prac-
teal experience, not for ballot re-
form cranks.
1t is gratifying to read the governors
remarks on the subject of "our for
ests," Himself largely engaged in the
lumber business, his appreciation of
the commercial value of the forests,
outside of any aesthetic view of the
matter, and his solicitude for their
preservation, will give weight to his
recommendations We regret that the
governors invitation to the legislature
to give earnest attention to this subj
was not accompanied by some specific
plan for the accomplishment of pur-
pose so desirable as the preservation OF
the forests, or for compelling vandals
to pursue some rational system of for
est husbandry. We trust that he will
yet suggest some plan. The constitu-
tional convention of New York deemed
this matter of SO great Importance that
the members unanimously agreed upon
an amendment that should place the
states woodlands under the strong pro
lection of the constitution. The En-
pire State owns by original grant and
by purchase large forest tracts, and in
this particular has an advantage fol
forest control which Vermont does not
possess. The outlining of a possible
policy of protection for the green slopes
and SUBMITS of the hills and noun
tains that make this state very beau
tiful is therefore attended with diff
culties. But these difficulties should
not be insurmountable. 1t will be glory
enough for Governors Woodbury's ad
ministration TO devise and put into prac
tical operation some effective scheme
Of forest preservation.
Governor Woodbury's message is
plain, unassuming document, practica
in its suggestions and businesslike il
its tone and recommendations. The
legislature will find in it material TO
wise law-making and hints, in legisla