The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-10-14


DER knows before he accepts the office the
many disagreeable duties he will have To
perform, and unless he is willing to accent
the responsibility he has no right to accent
for the evils that exist, IL ia not. in my
opinion, more law. We have law enoupb
now. Our statutes are fairly grooming with
the weight OF it. Better one page of law
that is enforced than library full that is
not and cannot be.
/ will make, however, few suggestions
OF changes, viz: That the judges OF the
municipal courts be paid salaries instead of
fees. This will be, in my opinion, of great
benefit in the enforcement OF the law and
VIII cost the state less than under the pres
ent lee system. IL will relieve the courts
from the accusation that they impose small
hnes so that respondents will be frequent
contributors to their support | would also
suggest that the law be 30 changed as to
stop, II possible, the device freauentlv re-
sorted to by the saloon-keepers OF employ
ing persons called fne-takers," so that
only first offenses will be found and small
fines imposed. | would change the law so
that persons convicted the first time of sell
ing would be punished the same as for
second offences, II there had been previous
convictions Of person or persons for viola
ton OF law in the same place. The board
OF pharmacy should be authorized and di-
rected to annul the licenses of druggists who
are convicted of illegal selling.
Village Charters.
/ call your attention to the report Of the
commissioners appointed by me under Res
olution No 34S, Acts of 1884, to investigate
village charters. / concur in their conclu-
sions
Uniformity of Laws.
The report of the commissioner appointed
by me under Resolution No. 347, Acts of
1894, relating to uniformity OF laws in the
several states, will be placed before you,
and will be of interest.
Business.
The severe business depression with
which this country has been afflicted for
the past few years has been felt in Yer
mont, but not in so marked degree as in
some other states The low prices of apri-
cultural products are to be regret tied, but
our people are contented and hopeful
Vermont is all right. Her people are patri-
otto, and whenever the republic is threat
ened with harm her sons respond quickly.
In 1861 Vermont responded nobly by send
ing 80, 600 OF her sons to fight manfully for
the preservation Of the Union. And now
in this year of grace 1896, when the mate
rial prosperity of the country is threatened,
she responds to the summons by sending
$4,000 Of her patriotic sons to the polls to
deposit their ballots for the cause of good
government and sound finance. The wave
of depression which has been passing over
this country for the past two or three years,
and which has affected Vermont as well as
Obuer pOrtlOnS OF tn6 country, Will, | be-
lieve, on the first Tuesday of November be-
met by an incoming wave of prosperity that
will, with irresistible force, submerge the
discordant elements now striving for the
mastery and restore confidence and happi-
ness to our people
Conclusion.
1 wish to testify Of the faithfulness to their
duties of all the state officers, members of
the various boards and commissions with
whom have had official relations during
my term of office. l desire to express my
sense of obligation to the people of YER
mont for their kindness and forbearance
during the administration of the high office
in which they, with such generous par
TALLY, placed me. 1t is a great honor to
be the chief executive of such a people
The duties Of the Office have been pleasant
to me, but l leave it without regret. | am
conscious of having done some things that
| ought not to have done and of having left
undone some things that l ought to have
done. Whatever [ may do or wherever L
may be in the future, | will always have in
mind the welfare of our beloved state. L
wish you pleasant session and one that
will be profitable to the state God save
the Commonwealth
The joint assembly then adjourned.
sENATE-AFTERNooN.
Senator Sargent moved to reconsider vote
adopting report on standing committees.
Motion defeated, none voting AYE" two or
three senators family voting mo"
The senators then removed to the Joint
session, after which, on resuming Senate
session, Lieut-Gov. Fisk elect appeared at
the bar of the Senate and received the oath
of office, administered by Lieut. Gov. Man
sur.
On assuming his place as president, the
Acknowledgements said
"Senators-The most agreeable duty
assigned me by the people of the state Of
Vermont is that which brings me into Off
cial relation with the Senate At this the
commencement Of our session I am forciby
reminded of the Importance of the position
we occupy. On us is conferred the criticisms
as well as the good wishes of our fellow
Vermonters. | bring to the discharge of
the duties of this chair but little experience,
and shall therefore, be compelled to rely
largely upon that forbearance which has
always characterized the courtesy shown
by the Senate TO its presiding officer. | in
dulge the hope that the session upon which
we are now entering will result in such
beneficial legislation as the people have the
right to expect and demand. My ambition
is to so preside over and govern your DELHI
erations as to merit at all times your COM
mendation and assistance. L now await
the pleasure of the Senate" (Applause)
Joint resolution on adjournment con-
Cured in.
Senators Merrfeld Hulburd and Petty
were appointed as Senate members Of the
joint committee on rules.
The lieutenantgovernor announced the
appoir tment of John II. Mimms of st. AL
bans as reporter of the Senate.
Adjourned.
HoUsE-AFTERNooN.
Mr.. Plat of Poultney moved that the
House reconsider its vote whereby it adopted
the report OF the committee on rules.
Adopted On motion of Mr.. Platt this re-
port was recommitted to the committee on
rules.
Joint Revolutionary Mr.. Burns of Enos-
burgh, that when the Senate and House of
Representatives adjourn this Thursday af-
ternoon, they adjourn TO Monday, October
II, at two O'Clock in the afternoon. Adopted
on the part of the House.
Joint Assembly.-The report OF the joint
canvassing committee was read by Secre-
tary of State Brownell. 1t showed the fol-
lowing results of the state election:
FOR GOVERNOR.
Whole number of 69,922
Necessary for choice. 1882
josiah circuit hau.. ................... bj,42b
John Henry Jackson had.,.....,..,..... 1855
Rodney Nhttemore had. ....,..,........ 1855
Joseph Battell hadu...................... s3l