Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-10-05
GOV. BELLS vALEDIcroRv.
Delivered Before the Joint Assembly on
Thursday.

Gov. Bell in his valedictory, commends
the action of the legislature of 1904 in
making the $4,000 received from war
claims the nucleus of a permanent school
fund and approves of the recommenda-
ton of the commission which he appoinr-
ed to the effect that this fund be com
bined with the Huntington fund ana the
United States deposit money toward a
permanent and adequate school fund. He
touches in general way the higher edu-
cational institutions Of the state and the
cause of education He says he believes
that an ideal educational system for
Vermont must include equality in support
and advantages, efficiency in administra-
ton and supervision, an adequate and
productible permanent school fund and an
unrestricted course of study as its es-
senual features. The governor reviews
the work in behalf of the sc deaf. dumb.
blind and feeble-minded children who re-
ceive state aid, As of them being in
5tructed in three institutions in Mass
achusetts and ten in Hartford Conn
The expense for this instruction was
$19,9515S the last two years, well within
the original appropriation of 900. al
though the legislature generously doubled
this amount, making $4,000 available II
required. The governor says this money
Is expended In necessary and important
service.
Praise for Atty.-oen. Fits.
Under the heading Attorney General
Gov. Bell says:
One Of the most important facts of the
last session was the passage of the hin
creating the office of attorney general
Hon Clarke c. Fits, then the representa-
tive from the town of Bratrleboro was
elected to that position.
The promptness and energy with which
khn L.
work proves the wisdom of this choice
and his recent election by the people to
succeed himself is a deserved compliment
to his faithfulness and ability.
That this new department was neces-
sary is evident from the immediate and
numerous demands for the services of
this official and the great number of
opinions he has been called upon to fur
nish. His assistance in preparing i'm
portant cases has greatly aided the states
attorneys, and has brought more speedy
justice and reduced the expense of trial
by avoiding needless delay in criminal
prosecutions. His first biennial report
will be before you. 1t contains a detailed
record of his more important acts, to-
gepher with several recommenda lions for
legislation that should receive your early
and favorable consideration.
Gov. Bell says he is in favor of a re-
organization of our judicial system IL the
ends of justice can be better and more
quickly served thereby A law is recon-
mended to provide against the unreason-
able practice of continuing cases In
county court without cause. 1.-The county
court docket should be new book from
term to term and not continued story"
The adoption is recommended of the
changes suggested by the committee APP
pointed by the last session to revise the
rules of procedure of The Senate AMI
House. One chapter is devoted to the
presentation by the state of a silver SER
vice for the battleship Vermont, for which
The legislature appropriated $4,000.
On the subject of toll bridges the gov
ernor finds from the commission which
made the investigation that there are
10 such bridges between Vermont and
New Hampshire, including three to be
constructed. The estimated cost to YER
mont of freeing them is 100000, this
being one-third of the total expense. The
governor believes that Vermonts share
should be divided equally between the
towns interested and the state.
In Favor Of Capital Punishment.
In discussing capital punishment Gov
Bell says:
Our law makes capital punishment the
penalty for murder In the first degree
This is common with all but five of the
states in the Union.
During my term of Office 1t became my
duty TO see that this law was carried into
effect. In the general discussion of the
subject thus occasioned in the state as
well as elsewhere, have been deeply i'm
pressed with the fact that Vermont has
more regard for the dignity of law than
for siclxly sentimentality.
am more firmly convinced than ever
before that, as a safeguard against vio-
lence and as protection to society in
general the law making capital punish
ment in some form, the extreme penalty
for crime should be retained on our
statute books
OF the commission which Investigated
state institutions-N. @. Williams of Bel
lows Falls, H. F. Brigham of Bakersfield
and H. A. Stafford of Morrisville-Gov.
Bell says: 1.-THE thorough and impartial
manner In which they have conducted
their inquiries has brought out Informal
ton that is of great value to the state.
The commission has completed its labors
and its several reports have been given
currency through the medium of the
public prints. The recommendations
made have been adopted in every case
where possible under present appropria-
lions, and should result beneficially for all
concerned"
Money is needed for repairs and Inn
provements at the state industrial school
at Vergennes The governor says the
crowded condition at the house Of cor
rection should be relieved, and the law
amended so that short term sentences
and fines for intoxication may be served
out in the county where the conviction
occurs and thar such prisoners may be
made 10 work out their sentences on the
roads and streets in summer and In chop
ping or saving wood in winter.
As at present conducted the tax COM
missioner's ONCE is an important and
profitable one to the state. The commits
sioner is Hon. j. e. Cushman OF Bur-
lington The fact that he has increased
the revenue of his ONCE $4,000 during
the last biennial term. and 100000 during
the period he has occupied this position,
is an eloquent tribute to his faithfulness
and efficiency.
Cattle Commission.
The work of this commission has re-
Gently been. severely criticized. YER
mont has always taken an advanced po-
siuon in the attempt to free our cattle |
from the contamination of disease and
has done more than most states to reim- |
burse the owner for loss In this respect |
until under the provisions Of the law
as II stands today, we are practically |
placing a premium on disease. This Is |
the fault of the law and criticism Of the |
commissioners has grown largely out OF
their construction OF that section OF the |
STATUTE relating to the disposal Of cattle |
condemned as diseased. The law is |
wrong on this point and should be |
amended A diseased animal should be |