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

to the music OF the Union from 81 to 'G5 are
being kindly and well cared for i'm their do
clining years. There is no appropriation
more willingly made by the people of this
state Board of Health.
The state board Of health il composed of
competent men who are greatly interested
in their work. The work of this board is
of great benefit to the state.
Fish Hatchery.
The comprehensive report OF the fish
commissioners will show that much has
been accomplished during the last two
years. During the early part of 80 it was
discovered that the state had not good
title TO the water it was using and that
mill was about to be erected above the fish
hatchery in Roxbury, so that the water
would be polluted and the fish destroyed.
Although there was no authority OF law,
there was but one thing to do to preserve
the property of the state, and authorized
the purchase, at a cost Of 81 600, of the mill
site, which controlled the water, which aC-
ton | trust will meet with your approval.
i believe this industry which the state has
established will grow more and more valu-
able each year, and its full benefit be more
apparent in the near future. The commits
sioners have been earnest in their desire to
work for the welfare Of the state in this di-
rection, and have accomplished all that
could be expected The benefits Of the
work done are beginning to be seen, and |
predict that in a very few years but few PEG
pie will doubt the wisdom Of the expendi-
lures which have been made.
Board of Agriculture.
The board of agriculture has been en-
gagged in the same good work as heretofore
The members of the board who have acted
at cattle COMM ssioners have been very
busy, and, / believe, have done their work
with good judgment and economy. The
cost OF the work has, however, been more
for the amount done than it will be in the
future, as services of veterinary surgeons
can now be obtained at less price than
heretofore. L do not think the cost of the
treatment of tuberculosis will be any more
for the present term than for the preceding
one.
Education.
The educational interests of the state ap-
pear to be in al least as good condition as
they were two years ago. The University
OF Vermont and State Agricultural College,
Middlebury College, and Norwich Univer-
sity have made su bstantial progress during
the last two years, and are of great benefit
to the educational interests of the state.
The work OF the Experiment Station of the
State Agricultural College is increasingly
beneficial to the agricultural interests of the
state, and its work could lily be spared,
The Normal Schools have been doing the
same class OF work that they have hereto
fore done. The johnson school was very
unfortunate in having for its principal a
man evidently unworthy the position. AL
though he resigned before the close of the
last term, the evil effects of his admi nistra-
ton have not yet been entirely dissipated. II
more tirmness had been used when the diff
ficulty first occurred, the evil effects of il
would have been greatly lessened. 1 be-
lieve justice demands that the money re-
ceived from the state school tax be distrib-
uted according to the number of scholars,
and not according to the number of schools,
as now. | call your attention to the report
OF the commissioners appointed under Reso-
luton No. 346, passed by the last legisla.
ture, to investigate the condition of Normal
Schools. While / believe that one good
training school for teachers is needed in
this state, and that we should have one at
as early date as practicable, | am con-
strained to believe that the conclusions of
the commissioners are well grounded. The
report of the superintendent of education is
valuable contribution to educational in.
terests.
Fire Marshal.
/ desire to repeat my recommendation
made two years ago that the office of fire
marshal be created and that the expense OF
the Office be borne largely or entirely by the
insurance companies.
Good Roads.
/ am glad to be able to report that consid-
cradle progress has been made in the max
ing Of good roads during the last two years
There seems to be general disposition in
most towns to make the roads be ter. Wide
tires upon wagons are coming into more
general use, which will be of marked bene-
fit to the roads. The commissioners have
done excellent service,
l still adhere to the opinion expressed
two years ago that the money collected by
the state highway tax should be expended
in the counties from which it is received
The larger towns, which usually are the
business centers, are directly benefited by
having good roads lsading to them from the
smaller towns of their own counties, but
the city of Rutland, for example, is not
benefited to an appreciate degree by the
condition of the roads in the town of Wheel.
ock, Caledonia county. The town of St.
Johnsbury is benefited, and there is prob.
ably some justice in compelling its tax-pay-
ers TO help the poorer town Of Wheelock
but why should the city of Rutland or the
county of Rutland be compelled to build