Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1896-10-09
REFORM.

present legislature. Much is said
about reform. 1t is doubtful If
any true reform can be accom-
plished. 1t is unpleasant to adj
nit that we are not in the best
condition for the accomplishment
of reform in state matters.
State Take for instance
Commissions. the abolition OF
any of the comfortable commits
sions which furnish desirable re-
treats for men who have had a
little following and would be left
out in the cold but for them.
The moment such commission
is attacked it is Immediately de-
Tended by every one on the COM
mission, by the following of
every one on the commission, by
everybody who expects a posi-
ton there. by the friends of every
expectant, and putting the null
titudinous following of each
commission together and joining
hands with the friends of every
other commission, and given
that adhesivencss and SOLIDARITY
which political patronage brings
to it, makes a pretty strong de-
fence of those personal privileges
out of which men reap largeindi-
vidual wages, emoluments, or
whatever it might be called.
Another trouble is that if any re-
form movement should be inaugu-
rated it is quite likely to be mis-
directed and the people attempt
ed to be deceived. 1t is for the
interest of everybody in the en-
joyment of the benefits of one
department in the state to direct
attention to some other depart.
ment, and to charge any extrav-
agance to any source rather than
the one from which their indi
vidual benefits come.
Insane We already hear a hue
Asylum. and cry ABOUT the ex
penses of the insane asylum anC
among other things needed re
form there by making individuals
or localities pay the expenses o
their insane IA ther than to hav'
the expenses borne more gener
ally by the people of the state
as though it were more common
dable economy to heap the ex
penses upon a little communit..
which happens to be more bun
dened with subjects of insanit.
than others, than to .alleviat
that misfortune by a more jus
and evenly distributed appo1
tionment of the whole expense c
the whole insane throughout TIL
state. Insanity is not a Grim
but a misfortune, and it come
not through the fault of any lc
cality, and so the ills flowing fror
it should be borne equally by tn
whole, just as bad legislation is
even dishonest legislation is S
borne. That reform which is no
generous is not commerdable
and that which heaps more heav
burdens on unfortunate localitie
than it does on the more fortu
nate is penurious and selfish.
Court Expenses. We hear ais
about the increase of court ez
penses. Now if the whole public i
soexcessivelyburdened with Their
that individuals ought to assum
some of the general burden w
certainly hope that the State i
the matter of reference of causes
will not in it's zeal to cast a ger
eral burden on individuals in
crease it's own burdens. A cas-
has Just been tried in this count,
by jury. The party paid Sc jur
fee; he would have paid tn
same if the case had been referred
The cost to the State for tn
trial, not including the salarie'
officers of the court was $36s
If it had been tried by refere
it would have cost the State $S'
or less. Thus single case cos
more by about 1888 than i
would if it had been tried tn
other way.
Education. There is anothe
subject of reform that is bein,
agitated and this merits differ
ent consideration from those O
which we have spoken. In thi
the paramount question SHOULD