The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-10-07

der LndL parole lot luclI NOHuuCl anu
good behavior, with the right to issue
warrant for their return. providing
the conditions of the parole were VIC
lated. This has proved a very bene-
fetal act and has been used to
large extent by my predecessors and
myself
The whole matter of pardons is a
very difficult one to handle properly.
In my opinion there are two reasons
for confning criminals; the first is
the protection of the public. The
second reason is for the reformation
of such criminals, this being largely
/ brought about through the opportun-
! ity which is given them to fully con-
| slider what they have done and, by
proper punishment throughout their
confinement, lead them to a better
conception of their duties as law
abiding citizens. The larger number
of criminals confined in our state in
situations. in my Judgment, are not
susceptible to great improvement,
and they should be confined for the
safety of the public. On the other
hand there are men and women who
have enough self respect left to make
them desire to become better, and
to such | believe every opportunity
should be given to do so. AT the
same time it is very difficult to tell
whether they are sincere or not, and
control should be retained over them
so that they may understand that If
they do not fulfill their promises and
live up to the conditions imposed on
them. they may be again confined I'M
der the authority of the state There
foreI recommend that such changes
in the Statute be made as will en-
able the governor to retain this con-
troll without question.
Administration Of Justice
In my inaugural message | called
attention TO some matters regarding
our courts, and suggested some chan
iskes that I thought would be beneficial
fand economical These changes were
not made by the last legislature but
the suggestions which | made at that
time are still pertinent and should
be considered by you. The matter Of
Justice courts in places where munic-
ipal courts have been established Is
very important one and needs adj
iustment. | can do no better than to
call your attention to the report Of
the attorney general and his sugges-
tons in regard to this
!. I wish also 10 call special attention
to the recommendations he makes re-
garding Grand Jurors. Both these
! suggestions are We. valuable and If
followed would be a move in the right
direction. There Is another matter
which would be the means OF reduc-
ing expenses very materially in the
administration OF Justice and | de-
sire TO call your attention to il at
this time, hoping that some action
will be taken 10 correct what | con-
slider a serious defect In our system,
and one productive Of much expense
both to the state and TO parties in
litigation. As the law now is and
repeatedly announced by the SUI
preme court. whenever that court Is
called upon to review the action of
the county court II the supreme court
finds any error. case must be re-
versed and a new trial granted un-
less the record affirmativelv shows
that the error was harmless. II
seems to me the rule should be that
the supreme court should not reverse
unless that court was OF the opinion
that the error was such that If new
trial were granted, the result would
probably be different. | do not be-
lieve it Is right that case should
be reversed In the Supreme court
and sent back for a new trial. sim
ply because some slight error may
have been discovered even though
that error could have had no bearing
on the result of the trial IL is man
ifestly proper that any case should
be reversed where an error is dis
covered which probably would have
had any effect on the result Of the
! trial, but where such error could
have had no effect II seems TO me
, manifestly improper that such case
, should be reversed but as I under
, stand the law at the present time II
Is obligatory on the court to do so.
Education
This subject is the most important
one which will come before you be
cause the quality OF the education oil
! the child determines the degree Of
intelligence, morality, and prosperity
/ which shall be enjoyed by the peopl,
OF this state The last census show
ed that we had fallen from our pos
ltion Of fourth. as regards illiteracy
to the twenty-eighth place; a condit
: ION very much to be regretted
! AT present this state maintain.
I three normal schools. One at Cas-
= Teton. one at Johnson and one a
Randolph Center II should be not
ed that large number OF the schol
/. airs In attendance on these schools
I. are from the locality where they ar,
/ situated, the schools not having lha
|. reputation which will attract schol
r FRS from distance. This is not IN
v tended as criticism OF the schools
n themselves but simply of conditions
@ In my judgment II is impossible 70
h this state to successfully carry OF
It three Normal schools providing sucl
/. facilities as shall bring 10 them IN,
d better class OF pupils desiring train
|, ing as teachers. We should, there
,. fore, strive to provide such facillte
d as will attract pupils from all owe
). the state by assuring them that the
/. will receive the best OF instruction
a and training, and In order 10 do thai