The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-10-03
MEAD DESCRIBES
PROGRESS MADE
IN TWO YEARS

Restricting Marriages,
In another paragraph. Gov. Mead says
LET me- at this time, respectful
recommend to the legislature of l9l
that they at once take steps TO safe
guard and restrict the issuing of mar
riage licenses to persons convicted o
rape, incest. or open and gross lewdnes'
and cases where either of the contract
ing parties are known TO be suffering
from tuberculosis, syphilis or epilepsy
and in cases where either party has beei
in confinement for habitual drunkenness
feeble mindedness or insanity.
Paroles.
"In the exercise of my prerogative a.
governor, have paroled to date "a
prisoners. OF these III have been pa
rolled from the state prison at Windsor
IA from the house of correction at Rut
land, and % from the different county
jais Since the establishment of a stat,
commission on probation, the executive
department has endeavored in every way
to cooperate, and at present ! am send.
ing the secretary of this commission
monthly reports giving the names of the
prisoners paroled, the date of expiration
of their maximum sentence, their last
known residence and the name of the
probation officer to whom they report
These paroled prisoners, as rule, have
reported very we'll
think this custom of paroling at the
expiration Of the minimum sentence,
where the prisoners conduct has been
good, is very excellent one, and
should respectfully recommend to the
legislature of 1912 that they enact a
law requiring the difference in time be-
tween the minimum and maximum SEN
tences to be largely increased. | be-
lieve that such law would still further
increase the regularity of the reports
from the probationers and have a favor
ably restraining influence for that much
longer period"
Uniformity of State Laws.
i wish to express my approval of the
recommendations made by the commits
soners. Vermont should take an ae-
tive part with the other states of the
union in promoting uniformity of state
laws in interstate matters"
, Developing Natural Resources.
On the subject of development of wa.
ter powers, etc. Gov Mead said
81 would, therefore, earnestly recon-
mend such legislation as will inure to
further development of this natural
wealth, realizing the immense benefits to
oe obtained II il is properly controlled
md the rights Of the state protected.
ALSO, to consider carefully some rea
'onable plan whereby possibly state aid
ould be given without risk for the de
'elopment Of these storage reservoirs,
ooking to the utilization thereby of the
water powers on the streams furthe.
own. This is a subject worthy of your
houghtfu consideration. Some action I
long this line would be a forward step I
nd could be used with great force b.,
ur senators and representatives in Con.
ress in obtaining national assistance
1T would make Vermont the most I
of states in the development I
nd conservation of her natural re-
cen made in road making. Gov. Mead
rged further outlay of money to con-
nue. and increase the work.
Explains His Tax Veto.
In recommending changes in tax laws
, secure greater equality, Coy. Mead ex-
laned his veto of tax measure in the
osing hours of the last session, as fol-
'ws: II
mo subject with which you have to ]
aal is OF larger Importance than a rcvi.
on of our present system of taxation. {
t the last session bill came to me for 6
y signature, which / was Obliged to
ithhold. The object of the measure ,
I'd my entire approval but the bill
self was crude and il seemed obvious
ould be impotent to accomplish its un-
rstood purpose. II had passed both
gislative branches in the closing hours
the session and came to me at a time
hen my department was rushed to the
nit of its capacity. Proper considera-
IN was absolutely impossible, and two
urses only were open to me. one to
mmon back legislators who had re-
rned to their homes and hold the leg
ature until needed corrections could
made, and the other to exercise my /
yht of veto. Having in mind that t
e session had then been unduly pro- o
lged, and that to reform the measure
,uld cause the state many thousand
liars expense, as well as prove a hard =
ip to the members who had then left I
e capital, ! pursued the course which
)nOmy. and as it then and now seems -
me, the interests of our people re-
ired."
Labor Legislation.
Gov Mead said the wageworLars had
lied for a ten-dollar exemption law
d ought TO have it. In fact. in labor n
-islation. Vermont has been progress
e in this respect, but not sufficiently
" In considering strikes, Gov. Mead
ought that at least the good offices oi
the state might be invoked to adjust n,
at least TO suggest honorable terms hi
settlement. In
iov. Mead favors a simple. inexpen- a
p method" of direct primaries. one +
Il will ensure the full. free choice of o.
/ citizenship" Limit then the eN- "
iditmes Of candidates and nominees; a
uire every expenditure and promise Ffo
place or pay to be published. and IA
franchise forever those who disobey' AZ
his stand. m
iov. Mead closed with plea for Al
ater economy, stating that he had hr
N greatly surprised that the expendi- in
- had increased about $50 per cent b.
m 1900 70 1910 &C
Fletcher Takes Oath Of Ofice. a.
At 2:2D this afternoon. Mr. Fletcher
! escorted t. the bar of the House.
a. a