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

MONT WATCHMAN "
subscriptions from neighborhoods, ask
Ing that state tax be used upon its roads
and awarding the tax to the locality Of
fering the largest contribution would
carry out this thought and would ma
terally aid I'm realizing the object sought.
Expensive road building should be
avoided the minimum and not the maxi
mum cost of good road should be the
guide In carrying out the reform Prob
ably no one thing will attract temper
airy and permanent dWellers to the
state, more than good roads
If the policy of permanent improve
ment Is continued by means of state
funds there should be a state super
vision of their expenditure and perhaps
this cannot be provided any better than
to make a permanent state Road Com
mission, giving t more voice in deter
mining the character and location of
reform. REGARDING this subject nearer
than almost any other to the material
prosperity of the state it is consigned
to your care
RnIronds ANA Rnilroad Commission
For FUN particulars regarding the con-
dition, business and management of the
railroads of the state reference should
be made to the able report of the railroad
commissioners, where fun account is
given of the different systems within
the jurisdiction OF the state
The railroad commission born of
right to supervise the doings of rail
roads is now ten years old Its powers
are said to be too limited 1t is old
enough to speak, through its record for
Itself If it can be strengthened to rem
der the people any better service than
they now rec Give let it be so strengthen
ed Let it be made complete in all re-
spects for doing in a fair, just way the
most good to all concerned You will
give this subject your attention and con-
slider whether the railroads should not
pay portion of the expense of this com
mission.
Board of Agriculture
This board is rendering faithful SER
vice along the different lines of work
1t conducts, and doing much good in
various ways. Its meetings held in all
parts of the state supply food for
thought, awaken interest and quicken
endeavor among the farmers. 1t is
state institution that goes about doing
good. 1t has rendered an important SER
vice in furnishing statistical nforma
ton to sellers and buyers of farms and
summer tourists
tuberculosis.
This dread disease among stock has
created a deep interest and incurred not
little expense The mystery of the
disease and uncertainty of its treatment
dwell SO much in the unknown, that more
than ordinary interest has centered in
the methods employed to eradicate it.
The tests, made upon which slaught-
ers have been based, are as convincing
as experimental work can be and ur-
doubtedly point the way to eXtermina-
ton as clearly as present knowledge
upon the subject is able to.
After examinations have covered the
state and should they not do so as soon
as possible, whether invited or not,
more defnate account of presence,
progress and control of the disease can
be kept. If the present work is in tho
right direction let it proceed until re-
duced to a system by which an accurate
estimate can be made of what is being
accomplished. The compensation for
slaughters, is perhaps as just as can
be devised in such cases. The disease
exposed by slaughters, in every instance.
so far as reported, whatever it may he,
is something common consent pronoun-
ces Incompatible with healthy animals
and healthy food. This subject invites
your attention that the public and the
Individual may he better satisfied with
and feel more secure in what is being
done. The slaughters during the last
biennial term cost the state $4,000
state Board of Health.
The work of this board should not be
overlooked nor aeds neglected. That
its report viii be consulted and the inn
portance of its duties appreciated is the
common desire of an Interested people.
soldiers Home
This institution, true to its name, is
home for tn. INDECENT veterans of the late
war tt is filled the greater part of the
time, with those who shared the dangers
and endured the hardshps of that gigan-
tic struggle and have grown old, feeble
and poor The generosity of a grateful
people in 1884 determined at whatever
cost the brave veterans of the Union,
being needy. should have an alternati\e
determination stands upon the records
of state legislation, a monument of patri-
otto gratitude to the soldie" of that war,
whether dead or living, rich or poor !
need not suggest that you consider the
needs of this institution in the same
spirit that has always characterized
Vermonts bearing toward the old sol
der.
Reform school.
This institution, in reality a school,
such a blessing to 81 many boy and girls,
benefits the state in more ways than a
a glance appear, 1t restraints youthful
wanderings and fits, for men and women,
the wanderers. 1t discharges its inmates
higher in the scale of being than 1t re-
ceiVes them. Its purpose and manage
ment are to be commended Your at
tenton is directed to the report of the
trustees and the recommendation there.
IN contained as to the needs of the school
state Prison
This institution having changed the
contract for its labor and provided new
machinery incident to the change, eX-
poets hereafter to be self sustaining; a
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