The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-10-06

ing appropriation for the benefit of
the retreat, provided, among other
things, in substance that all moneys
then and heretofore granted by the
Legislature should be exclusively ap-
propriated for the purpose for which
the institution was established, and
that if it should cease to exist, the
real estate of the corporation should
be held as security to the State for the
amount granted, and might be sold
under the direction of the Legislature,
for the purpose of reimbursing the
State, and further provided that said
real estate should at no time be sold
without legislative consent.
The total number of State patients
at both these institutions on June 30,
| 1904, was 707, an increase of two over
June 30, 1909. The number of private
patients at the State asylum has in
creased during the same period from
| "a to 33.
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
recommend the creation OF this
office, as a step in the march of pro-
gress and in line with the policy adj
opted in most States. We now pay
annually hundreds if not thousands,
Of dollars for services, major por
ton of which a competent attorney
general might render.
BOARD OF RAILROAD COMMI5.
SIONERS.
In my Judgment the board has rem
dered valuable services to the State.
Their recommendations as to tn
supervision of the electric systems OF
the State are especially worthy Of
your earnest consideration.
Speaking generally, in my judg.
ment, the functions of this commission
should be advisory, rather than man
datory, in the interest both of the
general public and of the railroads.
VERMONT AND NEW YORK.
Under the provisions Of No. 163 o.
the Acts of 1902, entitled AN act tC
replace the boundary line monuments
between Vermont and New York,
approved December 4th, 1902, 1 ap
pointed Elk Governor William W
Stickney as commissioner on behalf O.
the State of Vermont He has made
written report to me of the progress
of the work, from which, among 9th
er things. it appears that in June
1903, he arranged with the authorized
representative of the State of New
York for the replacing of these bound
ary line monuments between the TIVE
States
Originally there were thirty 81!
monuments marking this line from thu
north west corner of Massachusetts tt
Poultney river Some of these wer,
missing and others out of place, 81
that it was found necessary TO re sur
vey the line
During the months when labor on
cuted, the work has been carried on
and one hundred and one new grant,
monuments nearly all six feet il
height, embedded in concrete ard ex
tending below the frost line have beer
erected. These monuments have beef
placed at all town corners and at tin
highest elevations and lowest depres
sions along the line, and wherever tb
same crosses a public highway.
Some further work remains to b
done and oubtedly when it is full.
completed the comm ssioner will max
final report to my successor, that tn
same may be duly filed and recorded
in the Office of the secretary of State
as required by the provisions Of tn
act.
TEMPERANCE LEGISLATION.
The general sentiment of the Stat
seems to be that local option should
given further trial In many in
stances it has so far resulted in praC
tioal prohibition, For the benefit G
those towns lin which the traffic
licensed, there are several amendment
which the experience of two years ha
demonstrated should be made to tn
present law. 1t is important that n
change therein shoald be made whic
i. tends to lessen the independence froi
politics and the stability of the lioenl
ing boards. would recommend tht
the vote on license or no license shout
!, not be taken in any town or munio
, pality oftener than once in three {
, five years, and this other recommend,
tions in my former message relatin
TO this subject. | again press upc
r ! your attention
| PRIMARY ELECTION LAW.
y / again urge the General Assembl
g to adopt an efficient primary electiC
y law.
PORTRAIT OF ADMIRAL DEWEY
After the adjournment of the la
q session of the General Assembly
d placed myself in communication Wi