Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1910-10-07
GOV. C. H. PROUTY

despite largely increased appropriations
made by the legislature of 1908 for car
Iyng on the department of state, the re-
lcpts have been more than sufficient to
meet them, and on June 80, 1910, the eX-
cess of receipts over expenditures for the
biennial term was $S4,S2S.S5. This result
has been brought about by the increase
IN receipts derived from corporation
taxes. The receipts for the year ending
June so, 1910, amounted to 81 ,945, 1853. O5,
and the surplus for that time was S122,-
sIl.SS Mr. Prouty recommends that an
appropriation be made for taking care of
The deficiency in the administration of
justice for the year ending June 30, 1909,
FOR which John a. Mead the present gov
cluor, advanced $25, 445.S3, and that an
increased appropriation be made for
the state prison and industrial school
$50 that deficits which may have been
created may be cared for, and that suf-
illient funds may be had for future re-
Quirements. He also calls attention to
the obsolete methods of bookkeeping used
in the treasurers office
Under the heading, state Hospital for
the Insane" Mr.. Prouty makes this state
ment:
a large number of state patients are
cared for at the Brattleboro Retreat, and
the capacity of that institution has been
practically taken up, but a new building
is being built and when completed will
provide additional room where more pa
tents can be taken if the state so de-
sres. The arrangement which the state
now has with this institution provides
the most economical way Of caring for
these patients which it is possible to
make. l therefore recommend that the
arrangement now in operation be con-
tinued. 1t is true that the report of the
superintendent at Waterbury shows that
the patients there are cared for at a less
rate than is now paid at Brattleboro, but
in making this statement the item of the
nIapt is taken into pOUSidpra tiOu and
l believe if this was added to the present
cost it would more than equal the price
which is now paid at Brattleboro. None
of the criminal insane can be sent to
Brattleboro, and, therefore, a very diff
ficult problem confronts the management
at Waterbury. l believe that a suitable
ward for the criminal insane should be
erected as soon as possible and l trust
this matter will receive your prompt con-
sideration.
Act No. 500 of the laws of 1905 appro-
priated the sum of $4,000 for putting in
water at the Brattleboro Retreat for fire
protection This has been accomplished
and the Retreat has good fire protection
at the present time"
Mr.. Prouty reviews the situation in the
penal institutions at some length, and
compliments highly the helpful work for
boys and girls which is being done in the
industrial school in Nergenues under Su
perintendent and Mrs j. ~ Bars He
Oners in its various phases. He believes
the statute should be so amended as to
leave no doubt of the authority of the
governor to return a prisoner who has
broken the conditions of his parole.
The system of ventilation and sanitation
provided for the state house at an eX-
pense of $780, 600 is the subject of an in
teresting chapter,
Attention is called to the recommended
ton Of the attorney general regarding
i.ai mol
courts have been established and grand
juries. Mr. Prouty believes the supreme
court, on finding an error should not re-
verse a case and. send it back for new
trial, unless such error could have had
some effect on the result of the trial.
Mr.. Prouty says that education is the
most important subject which will come
before the legislators, because the quality
of the education of the child determines
the degree of intelligence, morality and
prosperity which shall be enjoyed by the
people of this state. He thinks Yer
mont's fall in literacy from fourth to 2Sth
position is not due so much to the con-
dition of the schools as to the influx of
foreigners in our factories, mines and
quarries, whose families have not had the
educational advantages which we have
here. Emphasis is laid upon the need of
quality in our educational advantages, and
of employing specially trained teachers
peculiarly fitted for their work. The sit
udllOn III lile luIee normal SCHOOLS Is re-
viewed and Mr.. Prouty is of the opinion
that it is impossible for the state to sue
cessfully carry on these three schools,
providing such facilities as shall bring
TO them the better class of pupils desiring
training as teachers.
The creation of the boards of agricul-
ture and forestry is referred to and the
work of o. l.. Martin as commissioner of
agriculture and A. F. Halves as state for
ester is commended, while recognition is
lfW - pff FNfa 10 fRT n 10
state for forestry purposes by Charles
Downer of Sharon. Mr.. Prouty believes
the appropriation of $4,000 for these two
departments might be increased to S15,-
900, and that the state might well eXpend
$4,000 in judiciously advertising its nat
ural beauties.
In taking up the subject of highways
Mr. Prouty says:
1T is only necessary to turn to the re-
port of the highway commissioner to as
certain that a great deal of work has been
done on permanent highways Practically
$3.50, 900 was expended for this purpose
during 1909, and the results are becoming
manifest in the improved condition of
roads all over the state. Our present sys-
tenn is, 1 believe working satisfactorily,
and if continued, with appropriation for
as much as can be spared, WILL within a
few years, provide us with highways that
win be entirely satisfactory. We cannot
expect, and do not need, system Of
uldCdudIn IOduS through llle STATE. II
would be impossible to construct them
without bonding, and 1t would cost us as
much to maintain them as we are now
spending for the building of permanent
roads. l believe it is generally conceded
that the gravel road properly constructed
with a good foundation is the most SER
viceable and best suited to our conditions
Of any material that can be used, and
such roads can be built at a fraction of
the cost of macadam, the repair bills be-
ing almost nothing in comparison. The
matter of highways has become OF such
importance, and has been so thoroughly
discussed that you are all familiar with
II. ! do believe, however, from my ex-
perience during the last two years, that,
according to the population and valuation
of this state, we are improving our roads
as fast or faster than any state in New
England, and paying for these improve
ments as they are made. We should con-
tinue along the same lines, as much more
can be accomplished by some definite
policy than by constantly changing"
Some changes in the laws relating to
automobiles are recommended. Mr..
PrOuty thinks 1t is wrong for a town to be
allowed to place a speed limit Of less than
10 miles an hour on automobiles running
in the streets, or to provide for less rate
Of speed than this at any point on the
highway. He says: "a car going at
ten miles an hour is under absolute
control and is much safer than is a horse
Ii can be stopped quicFer and handled
more easily. 1t is not good policy to pass
any law that cannot be compiled with, and
fl would be impossible for many cars ia