The valuation of real estate in Vermont in 1875 was estimated to be $81,106,760, which was stated to be about 40 per cent of the real value. The grand list of the state is 1 per cent of the valuation; and iu 1873 the state tax was 35 per cent on the grand list of $1,175,476. Adding the tax on gores and unorganized towns, and deducting for abatements and collection fees, the amount of the tax for that year was $393,660. In 'Aug., 1879, the liabilities of the state amounted to $206,136, of which $135,500 con sisted of an agricultural college fund due in 1891. The amount in the treasury at that time was $68,750. The ordinary expenses paid during 1878 amounted to $451,841.
Free public schools are maintained by means of state and local taxes and the income of a permanent school fund. There are state and town superintendents, and in time larger towns graded and high schools are sustained. The receipts for school purposes in 1876 were $565,044, and the expenditures, $565,044. The permanent school fund amounts to $669,086. The school population in 1876 was 92,577 children, of whom 72,023 were enrolled, and 39,474 were reported in attendance. The number of schools was 2,519, and the average number of school weeks was 24. Among the higher institu tions of the state are normal schools at Randolph, Johnson, and Castleton; Middlebury college (Congregational) at Middlebury; Norwich university (Protestant Episcopal) at Northfield; the university of Vermont (non-sectarian) at Burlington; the 'Vermont female college (Methodist Episcopal) at Montpelier; the state agricultural college at Burlington; and the Vermont Episcopal institute, also at Burlington. The number of libraries in the state in 1870 was 1792, containing 727,263 volumes; of which 1056, with 405,536 volumes, were private. The number of newspapers and periodicals published is about 55, of which 7 are dailies, 42 weeklies, and 4 monthlies. The religious organiza tions in 1870 were divided as follows: Baptist, 131; Christian, 14; Congregational, 183; Protestant Episcopal, 33; Friends, 5; Methodist, 180; Presbyterian, 9; Roman Catholic, 40; Second Advent, 15; Spiritualist, 1; Unitarian, 4; Universalist, 60.
The constitution of the state provides for the meeting once in seven years of a coun cil of censors who propose, if they desire to do so, changes in the constitution, which are acted upon subsequently by a convention called by them. The first of these coun cils met in 1785, the thirteenth in 1869, and the fourteenth in 1876. The governor, the principal executive officers, and the legislature are chosen by the people biennially. The legislature consists of a senate of 30 members, and a house of representatives of 241 mem bers. The judiciary of the state consists of a supreme court of seven judges, chosen by the legislature; of a chancery court, which the supreme court judges also hold; of a county court in each county; of justices' courts in the several towns; and of probate courts in each probate district. tinder the apportionment of 1872 the state is entitled to three representatives in congress, and five electoral votes. The electoral votes have been cast as follows: 1792, Washington and Adams, 3; 1796, Adams and Pinckney, 4; 1800, Adams and Pinckney, 4; 1804, Jefferson and Clinton, 6; 1808, Madison and Langdon, 6; 1812, Madison and Gerry, 8; 1816, Monroe and Tompkins, 8; 1820, Monroe and Tompkins, 8; 1824, John Quincy Adams and Calhoun, 7; 1828, John Quincy Adams and Rush, 7; 1832, Wirt and Ellmaker, 7; 1836, Harrison and Granger, 7; 1840, Harri son and Tyler, 7; 1844, Clay and Frelingliuysen, 6; 1848, Taylor and Fillmore, 6; 1852, Scott and Graham, 5; 1856, Fremont and Dayton, 5; 1860, Lincoln and Hamlin, 5; 1864, Lincoln and Johnson, 5; 1868, Grant and Colfax, 5; 1872, Grant and Wilson, 5; 1876, Hayes and Wheeler, 5; 1880, Garfield and Arthur, 5.