The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-01-08
Member of the Associated Press.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 1915.
THE MESSAGES.

Governor Fletcher's retiring message,
yesterday to the joint session OF
the legislature, contains very little that Is |
not of active interest to Vermonters. TAX |
ing it as whole the document may be
said to be decidedly sensible state paper, |
and no one viii attempt to deny that 1t
was vigorous What the retiring executive
had to say in regard to the state attitude
toward agriculture and forestry is what
might be expected of one who has given
these matters careful scrutiny, but The
Reformer does not share his fear of the
Fits scheme to bond the state for the con-
struction of conservation reservoirs at the
headwaters of streams, even though there
is small likelihood that the proposition
will meet with favor in the near future.
Governor Fletcher's belief that the state
| treasurer's bond should be increased from
100000 to 100000 is in keeping with
sound business principles, and there Is no
question that he is right in his advocacy
of a distinct and separate insurance de-
partment with a view to preventing an
other scandal such as arose last spring over
the company in which the state treas
urer's bond was placed.
In regard to the states educational pol
icy the governors views are in the main
those of the educational commission he
appointed. That they are sound The Re
former has no doubt. There is also much
to be said in favor of his suggestion that
the insane, feeble minded and penal
boards be consolidated with a view to Sc
curing increased efficiency in the way of
supervision of state institutions, the ex-
petition of state business and economy in
administration. The Reformer does not
agree with Mr.. Fletcher's idea that the
office of attorney general should be abol
ished, and is not sure that his recommen-
dation for the reorganization of the states
judiciary system is wise, although there is
no doubt that something will have to be
done to check the steadily increasing ex
pense of judicial procedure
What the retiring executive had to say
i'll his message on the question of Judge
ship appointments makes it plain thai
much of the criticism of his attitude oil
Fletcher did have from the supreme cour
unanimous mot an Anonymously opinion
that it was his duty to appoint suprem,
court justices for the full constitutions
term. This opinion was given him durin,
the last session of the legislature by Judg,
Rowell, and the governor had no intima
ton that that distinguished jurist had ex
perenced change of mind on the subjec
until his second opinion was made publ
by the bar association this week. In jus
what position this reversal of belief leave
the former chief justice of the suprem
court The Reformer will allow its reader
to determine, but it is plain that any ac
ton taken by the legislature toward tn
: election of supreme court justices is li1el
e to leave the whole situation just as mud
J time
= There is little to be said in regard t
the message of the incoming governor
: Charles w. Gates, for its nature is NOR
q or less general 1t embodies, however
sound views on matters of public money
just the sort of views, in fact, that on
would expect from man with such d.
10 served reputation for common sense
Governor Gates possesses. If the legisl
ture will give heed to what he says in r
gard to economy and the elimination
unnecessary legislation much will ha,
q been accomplished at the outset Of Il
D new administration