St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-10-09

OF his better nature and growth In man
J hood; and. in q broader sense, that III
should while restrained, be subjected
to moral influences, so that he will b.
nearer to, If not absolutely in, better
life when entitled to his liberty Yer
mont has hardly kept pace with the othei
states in Legislation looking to the re-
turn Of those, who have wandered to the
paths Of good citizenship.
If a move should be made in this direc-
ton, / am sure / need not bespeak al
your hands its careful consideration.
The Asylum.
The Waterbury asylum Is the mos
important of our state institutions. II
design it is model. Humanely and eco
nomically administered, 1t is a credit to
the state. 1t has cost approaching $780,,
900, and being exclusively under state
control will accomplish an interesting
saving in the care Of our insane poor.
Under. the Poland pauper law the ex-
pense of this Unfortunate class became d
state burden instead of a subdiyided one
among the several towns. This centrali-
cation of the burden tends to an equaliza-
tion Of it, and is without objection, unless
IL multiplies the number Of patients
The records at Waterbury casually
observed do not show such tendency.
With 1T in view to protect the asylum
against such possible imposition, / rec
ommend that you investigate this sub.
ject and act according to the informa'
ton your investigation affords. The in
mates can be more humanely cared for at
this institution with less expense and
greater security to society than by the
towns.
1t is somewhat in the nature of a
common cause to provide for the insane
poor, which the state is as much inter
ested in as the town. Patients whose
condition still invites treatment and
those beyond the reach o. such benefit
should remain at the asylum; the former
class that they may be cured, and the
latter that the close Of an unfortunate
life may be made as comfortable as pos
sible. The insane poor of the state should
be cared for at the asylum.
Savings Banks and Trust Companies.
These institutions are reported in
good condition. Deposit Withdrawals
to financial security occasioned by
political discussion. Trusting the pray
or of the people will be answered soon,
this disturbance is not expected to last
long.
The Prohib tory Law
For nearly half a century prohibition
has been an omnipresent theme with the
people of Vermont and a study of tenn
perance, has become a feature of our
educational system. 1t has stood and
stands bulwark between brutality and
home, order and riot, the better and the
worse in all things. The prohibitory
law has occupied a conspicuous place
upon our statutes and signally aided
the cause of temperance.
1t has not eXterminated from our So
ciety all disposition to violate its pro-
visions nor does any law destroy the
germ of transgresson but it has to very
satisfactory extent restrained the Of
fender, making rumselling improbable
and a reproach. Violations are the eX-
/ ceptions and confined mostly to the
larger places.
The general temperance of our people
Is superior to that of any sister state
Our prohibtory law insures a better
home for the laborig man and his family
| here in Vermont than in any other COM
munity of it's size on the face of the
earth.
We have reason to congratulate our
selves upon many things but upon NJ
one thing more than the character which
has become a part of our life since pro
hibiton has guarded the avenues of oul
society.
With these and other considerations il
full view, we are confronted by the usua
biennial inquiry shall the prohbitory
law make way for high-license, or shall
the law be more faithfully enforced
Among the things clear to judgment ant
conscience is the demand for more care
full, diligent, day and night, everywhere
present enforcement of the law Sucl
attention should be given the subjec
as to render it very inconvenient if no
impossible to indulge in violation.
Law however good, not enforced, be
comes bad and soon imparts it's charac
ter to the people enacting it. The wis
dom of the fathers, traceable in ouI
society and our institutions urges earn
est enforcement of all our laws, Publ,
sentiment in many localities regards the
enforcement of the prohibitory law diff
ferently from the enforcement Of othel
law and and in my opinion you should
provide better pay to the officers called
upon to enforce it.
Provide in such way as commends it
self to your discretion better enforce
ment of this law or public expectation
will be disappointed.
Salary the municipal triers and com
pensate the prosecuting officer according
officers were paid special fees under {
we'll regulated system in cases arising
under the prohibitory law the county
court approving semi annually their &C
counts a better enforcement might fol
low. Officers cannot nurse crime in Yer.
mont for the fees derivable from prose.
cutting 1t unless the people are willing
Interest the prosecuting officer and MAKE
1t an object for him to do his work If yol
would be sure of the best service.
Pursuing and furnishing crime as {
work of love cannot always be relieC
upon.
Education.
The strength of our state Is in the
character of our people which is deter.
mined by our education. The schools
are the moulding sand in which the
common mind Is formed. The best
school is none too good. The district
school, having outlived it's early useful
ness of which we have reason to be