Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-10-11

IeleCteu 10 tnat position.
The promptness and energy with which
the attorney general has conducted hi.
work proves the wisdom Of this choice
and his recent election by the people tt
succeed himself is a deserved compliment
| to his faithfulness and ability.
That this new department was necessar,
Is evident from the immediate and numer.
Gus demands for the services OF this Off.
cial and the great number Of opinions he
has been called upon furnish. His as
sstancc In preparing important cases has
greatly aided the States attorneys, ana
has brought more speedy justice and re.
duced 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. together with sew
eral recommendations for legislation that
should receive your early and favorable
con sderatlon,
OUR COURTS.
A reorganization of our judicial system
is suggested. / am in favor of II, II the
ends of justice can be better and moro
quickly served thereby
"A law is recommended to provide against
the unreasonable practice of continuing
cases in county court without cause. The
county court docket should be a new book
from term to term, and not continued
story
To I'LL the vacancy on the supreme court
bench caused by the death of Judge Henry
r. Start of bakersfield. appointed the
Hon. Willard W. Miles Of Barton. a man
peculiarly fitted by education and training
to discharge the important duties Of the
office with credit to himself and the State.
He was able to commence his work i'm
mediately.
In making this appointment, the num-
Der, fitness and unusual ability of the
candidates suggested impressed me with
the fact that Vermont's best material for
offices of highest trust is always avail
able.
REVISION or THE RULES.
committee was appointed at the last
session to revise the rules of procedure
Of the Senate and House. This committee
visited the Legislatures of several nearby
States and has prepared its report While
the changes suggested are not numerous,
thoy are important, and I recommend
their adoption as the working rules Of this
General Assembly. as 7 believe by so do
ing the business of the session can be
more carefully, speedily and intelligently
transacted.
SILVER SERVICE FOR THE BATTLE
SHIP VERMONT.
One of the most important public func-
lions of my administration was the visit
to Quincy. Mass. August 30, 1905 to at
tend the christening of a great battleship.
o
the contractors. the Fore River Shipbuild-
ing company. The new giant Of our navy
was duly christened the Vermont" IN
honor of our State.
The Legislature instructed me to pur-
chase a suitable silver service to be pre-
sented to this battleship when 1t goes into
commission. and appropriated 5000 for
the purpose. I contracted for this work
with the Gorham Manufacturing company
through Boyle Brothers Of White River
State agents. and hope to be able
to present it to my successor at an early
date, so that it may be placed on exhibit
ton here al the State House during this
session. 1t consists of "a every handsome
pieces of solid silver, in cost not to cx-
coed $500. Among the decorations are the
State coat of arms, the State House. The
State flower the sugar camp, the Jersey
cow, the Morgan horse. things typical If
the States life and activity. to be cons ant
reminders of the brave little common
wealth among the hills which is never
afraid Of conflict, but believes that the na-
ton best prepared for war is best pre-
pared to dictate terms of honorable peace.
This noble batteship. the largest of its
class, is fast approaching completion and
will be ready for service early in 1907. Ii
Is our hope and prayer that it will sail the
mighty deep on errands of peace, n mes
senger to proclaim the progress, the in
lustry and the Christian spirit OF I'll
great nation of which our State is n part,
but If il becomes necessary to bare its
guns for battle may il be in a just cause,
and when that time comes, let whoever l.;
n command remember to put the Yer
mont ahead and keep the line we'll closed
up.
TOLL BRIDGES.
II is the opinion Of progressive people
hat toll bridges on the highways across
should be abolished.
Authorized by the Legislature. I APP
pointed a commission of which the Hon.
nan. to consult with a similar commission
appointed by the governor of New Hamo-
shire as to the ACCESSIBILITY and expense
# freeing the toll bridge across the Con |
,ecticut river between Vermont and New
Hampshire.
The commission has investigated the
subject in all its bearings and finds tina,
here are 81 bridges in the territory named, |
0 of which. including three to be con- !
tructed arc toll bridges. 1t is estimat ed |
hat to free these and to reimburse thos =
already free so as to place all on an equal |
ooting would cost Vermont about 500, COO |
his amount being one-Nnird of the total |
Expense. Vermont's share should then be ,
livided equally between the towns inter-
,sted and the state.
The report of this commission Is ready /
md should be ordered printed for the in
of the Legislature on the sub
ect. The recommendations suggested ~ !
he commission are made after due DELHI
ration and are worthy OF your careful
consideration.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
Our law makes capital punishment the
'ennlty for murder in the first degree
This is common with all but five OF the
states of the Union.
uty to see that this law was carried into
fleet. In the general discussion of the
ubject thus ocoa stoned In the State as