Year: 1864


responded the calls OF their country without reward and hav
ing by their gahtry for the State mperishable and
glorious record obliged return to their service unrequted


would therefore recommend the passage Of an act author
zug the payment Of suitable bounty to all these reensted
who have already received bounty from the towns to
which lhey credited.


TOWN B0UNTES


The subject Of the payment Of bountes by the towns demands
careful consideration your hands Some sound and udc
Gus legislation required order check the evil tendencies OF
the present system and prevent the excessive extrayagance
aud inequalities which working much mchiefand injustice
IN the State proper regard to the public interest IL my
view requires that these bountes should be kept within the
troll Of the State in this way only uniform system be
secured 1t also subject for you consider whether the
bounues thus TAR paid by the SHALL upon equitable
basis be assumed by the State aude the subject however,
at this time, designing to make any recommendation but
simply direct your attention leaving to your better
Judgment to dispose Of


LAW AUTHORIZING THE GOVERNOR TO SUMMON THE


JUDGES or The SUPREME COURT TO HIS COUNSEL


WIEN NECESSARY.


There present existing by which the Executive
empowered call upon the Supreme Court of the State for
opinion affecting the interests Of the State and involving
important legal questions Such not Of unequent oc
and the responsibilities thus devoved upon the Execu
tive very great and oentmes extremely embarrassing
Similar provision made by law in other states and made
the duties OF the Judges OF the Supreme Court to render opinions
when called upon by the Executive in all affecting the
general interests Of the commonwealth Such law doubt not
would mere especially IN tne present state
Of affairs and the interests of the State herebyg realty promoted
would therefore, respectfully suggest that law be passed
making the duty of the Judges of the Supreme
Court Whenever called upon do so by the Governor of the
state render opinion in writing necessary, upon such
questions may be submitted them affecting the general in
terests Of the State


LAW PROVIDING FOR SOLDIERS VOTING.


The law passed at your last session providing for soldiers vot
ing contained provision that the shall take effect until
the Governor submit the the Judges of the supreme
Court with the INQUIRY Are the provisions OF this act constu
tona? and unit Governor has obtained in writing the opn
ion of said Judge thereon and said judy decide that the
provisions of the certain parts thereof unconstitutional,
then the same such parts thereof said Judges shall decide
uconsttuon shall be null and void, and the residue shall
remain in full force and virtue.


In pursuance Of M provision submitted the act to the Judges
of the Supreme Court with the inquiry specified


The Judges OF the Supreme Court replied to the inquiry CIV
ing full and unanimous opinion IN writing deciding the act 50
far relates the right Of the soldiers vote Tor members
Congress and Electors of President and Vice President OF the
nted ates be constitutional but that much of said act
cers the right for Governor, Lieutenant Governor
and Treasurer OF this State unconstitutional so much Of
therefore relates the right OF soldiers to vote tor
members Congress and Electors Of President and Vice Pres
dent Of the United declared be in full force and
virtue


therefore caused be prepared suitable and proper blanks
and forms for making the necessary returns to the proper ohce
and forwarded tue several organizations in the field from this
State for the soldiers to vote Tor members OF Congress
at the regular election for tn se officers


There are some amendments the law which should receive
your immediate attention


The law now provides that the election for electors to be
held on the r tuesday of November each eecor authorized to
vote bv This act shall have the right for Electors The
election for Electors is by law be held the Tuesday next
after the first Monday of November instead Of the hrst Tuesday
This error should he corrected conform to the proper day
Section eleventh of the provides that the Secretary OF
State shall return said votes to the General Assembly, be
cya the same as provided reference votes Tor the same
officers cast in this State By the laws of this State the County
Clerks shall meet the State House, in Montpelier on the
third Tuesday Of said November and there publicly canvass SAID
votes The law should be amended TO provide that the
Secretary of State shall return for Electors to the Board
of Canyassers when assembled


Provision should also be made for qualifying the electors Ac-
cog the present provisions OF the act only quahed electors
permitted to


As there are many now in the military service OF the United
States from this state who have entering the service ar
rived legal age they should be entitled to the privileges oil the
act and provision should be made giving authority to special con-
stables to administer the necessary oaths


Provision should also be made giving to volunteer ofhcers
having commissions from the United States authorities VINO are
of this state the right vote at the polls OF any company
from this State the brigade division or corps to whct they
may be attached $50


would therefore recommend that the act be amended in these
respects a an early day that proper instructions and blanks may
be forwarded to the field for the approaching election


herewith transmit the opinion the Judges OF the supreme
Court upon the question of the consutonaly OF the law


LAND SCRIP.


The agent appointed under the act of e sale Tue
land scrip November H. 1863 has effected sale of
the same The proceeds of said sale amount to the sum OF one
hundred and wentysx thousand hundred and ortyone dol
lars and forty cents which has been duly invested in the bonds
of this State at par.


In October last the Hon Homer E. Royce Of the agents
appointed under the act resigned the trust appointed Henry
W. Ilickok, Esq, OF Burlington to fill the vacancy
VERMONT STATE UNIVERSITY AND ASSOCIATE COLLEGES.
The Incorporating the Vermont State University and aP





public lands approved November H. 1868 provides Tor the nnion
and incorporation of he three existing corporations in TINS
the President and Fellows of ofMdlebury College the University
Of Vermont and Norwich Uneror either one them with
the corporation cte by the aforesaid and for the transfer
and conveyance Of al their property both real and personal to the
State University