The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-10-06
GOVERNOR MEAD'S
INAUGURAL
MESSAGE
Recomm }ndatiOns of New Chief
Executive
BUSINESS LIKE DOCUMENT
Calls Attention to Matters That are
Likely to Come Before the
Legislature
BUSINESS LIKE DOCUMENT

Following is an abstract of and the
recommendations contained in Gov
ernor Mead's inaugural message:
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House
of Representatives:
In accordance with the custom of
our fathers and in harmony with the
constitution of our state, you are
convened in General Assembly for
the performance of a sacred duty for
the faithful fulfillment of which you
have each taken solemn oath.
The General Assembly is the SUI
preme law-making power of the state
and within its jurisdiction there
should be no interference by the Elk
ecutive nor attempted influence by
private interests
A time-honored custom, however,
directs that | submit for your consid-
Grafton a few suggestions concerning
some of the larger questions and
more important problems which as
experience has demonstrated. and
changed conditions now demand.
should require your attention at this
session and it is IN obedience to that
custom that / now call your atten-
ton to and recommend for your SER
ious and patriotic action the subjects
that are TO follow
Agriculture
This small territory in which we
live and which we love so dearly and
Of which we feel so Justly proud and
call Vermont is greatly blessed in
many respects, and especially in the
wealth OF her soil. AS farmers we
are just realizing this inheritance but
surely We have not availed ourselves
of the best knowledge of agricultural
life, for the reason that 1t has not
been easily available. Large sec
tions Of our state testify to this fact
The agricultural products Of our state
in certain large areas can be easily
doubled, but this can only be done
by a greater knowledge of agriculture
al pursuits.
The Agricultural College is rem
dering special assistance to agricul
ture but its service is crippled by alb
sence of an opportunity to illustrate
fully its wisdom to the farmers; still
much has been accomplished by oui
college. But, If | am advised cor
rectly, very few Of its students evei
return to the cd farm for perman
ent employment. The college has
been and is doing a good work bu
there is general desire on the par
OF our progressive farmers for some
provision for more general and prac
teal instruction.
| therefore recommend that tn,
present General Assembly establish
one or more agricultural schools
with all the necessities and advan
tages which should pertain thereto
The Worthless Dog
While considering agricultural lif
I cannot refrain from referring TO on,
of the special evils or pests Of farm
life. viz, The Worthless Dog. PEI
sonal experience of a most disar
pointing character and a careful
study Of farm life conditions in on
county for the last eight years hav
convinced me that the worthless dog
of our towns and cities have drive
the sheep from our hill sides an,
forced upon our farmers the keepin
almost exclusively of cattle.
would recommend to this Assem-
bly, the serious consideration OF thi
subject: the continuance of reason
able tax on dogs, the compelling @
wearing a collar as at present, wit
the owners name plainly marke
thereon, and, In addition, requirin
each owner of n dog 10 deposit
bond with the city or town clerk q
500, more or less, which must b
maintained at this amount with on
or more sufficient sureties. Thus a
injured party could at once realiz
for his loss. so soon as he could prov
the ownership OF. the offending dog
Forestry
During the last few years the sui
ject OF forestry has been attractln
increased attention from those cit
zens who have the best interests
our state at heart
Our state has two reserves and
should be the policy OF the legislatul
to provide q method by which n
state can acquire. through the stat
forester, additional lands. by gift
possible, and occasionally by pu
chase.
Our people do not appreciate
they will, the influence OF these re
erves upon the public health. upc
the local lumber market, upon Il
beauty OF our scenery and upon OF
water supply. They serve all thel
purposes and others whose infue
ces will be potent In the developeml
OF our state.
respectfully ask your consider
ton to two practical questions rels
ing 10 forestry:
First. Can the method OF taxi
the timber lands OF our state be 7
vised, so as TO encourage tho pre