Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-10-10

ago, that crossed the channel and
sprouted and grew slowly with the ages
amid and against countless obstacles
from within and without on the British
Isles. that budded at Hastings and Run
nymede, at Lewes and Naseby that
blossomcd at Bunker Hill and Benning-
ton and Yorktown, at Gettysburg and
AppomatoX, needs no guiding hand to in
struct its subjects in the matters best
suited for their welfare and government.
Your ancestors who founded this little
mountain commonwealth struck off your
first constitution in III in the midst of
war, and with the enemy upon your Dor
dcrs declared Vermont a free and indie
pendent State. And under it's rule, ana
as revised i'm 17SG, for thirteen year main
tanned an Independent existence; and at
ter admission into the Federal Union es-
tabishcd the constitution of 1893 under
whose bencfcient provisions and the
amendments from time to time adopted,
you and your ancestors for over a CEN
tury have enjoyed the blessings of free
government, and so far as human wis
dom can foresee, you and your posterity
will continue for other centuries to en-
joy the multiplied and multiplying bless
ings of even a freer government.
The very conservative method, too
providing for its amendment insures
against any hasty innovation from pop
ular impulse, and assures that liberty
/
rule of Anglo-SaXon development.
The provision of the National Constitu-
ton that requires for it's amendment
the concurrence of two-thirds of both
Houses of Congress or two-thrds of the
States, and then the subsequent ratifica-
ton of three-fourths of the States, has
received the highest encomiums of mod
crn political philosophers as one of the
wisest guarantees of good government.
The provision in our constitution is
equally, if not more conservative, and
yet in practical working there is little
difference.
These provisions insure soliditv and So
curity and as is VOL said these are the
most vital attributes of a fundamental
law.
Our town system existed before the
State: it is the Inheritance and the
growth of the ages of Anglo-SaXon up
| lifting. 1t was simply recognized in our
constitution.
| These republics in one form or other
| have always had their legislatures. In
| their annual March meetings. or at other
! So ssions regularly called they select
| their rulers for the year and discuss all
| public questions and decide what is for
the best good of the community and the
state; and that judgment expressed at
the general election is reflected in the
| persons Of the 2iG representatives stand
| ing for these little republics and in the
| persons. of the 80 senators representing
| the counties.
The duty and the responsibility of any
needed legislation rests almost wholly on
| YOU: the function of the executive being
advisory.
The retiring message of my predecessor
delivered yesterday is SO full and eX-
haustiVe and gives such a comprehensive
review of the affairs of the State Tor the
past two years. accompanying the same
|
only remains for the present executive
to add his recommendation to the Cen
cral Assembly to give these suggestions
| their most careful consideration.
| Tho reports of the various state Of
| hccrs and of the boards of trustees and
superintendents of the State institutions,
/ furnish YOU with full information upon
which to exercise your intelligent judg.
ment in formulating such wise and pru-
dent legislative action as the require
ments of these different institutions and
departments demand.
While keeping your appropriations
safely within your revenues, ] bespeak
for all the State institutions, for your
whole educational system. your common
schools your normal schools your col
! logos and universities, your libraries, for
| your Soldiers home. your boards of agri-
culture and health for your insane asy-
| lum, your industrial school, your house
of correction. your State prison, just and
| liberal treatment.
| Wisely and generously administered,
such institutions are the best evidences
of an advanced and advancing civil
! izaton.
TEMPERANCE LEGISLATION.
The verdict of the freemen of the State
on september > last was in favor of the
General Assembly framing a local option
! and high license law and submitting the
same to the people for their adoption or
rejection
This duty will require the very best
efforts and the most intelligent consider
alton of the members of the assembly.
For fifty years prohibition has been the
policy of the State.
The mandate comes up now from the
people to their legislators commanding
them to formulate and to submit to them
for their decision some other system.
This is the Anglo Saxon. the American
method. 1t is the rule of the majority
And primarily on this subject it must
be borne in mind that all sumptuary
legislation must he supported by public
sentiment to be effectual.
IN framing n statute the General As
sembly will have the benefit of the legis-
lation on the subject of eight or ten
of the other States. Experience is the
very best guide.
In every State the difficulties arising
from the United States internal revenue