Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-11-19
SENATE

SATURDAY, Nov. II.
Air. Halbert called up 5. 32, in amendment of
chap s., G. :, entitled s Of the grand list, ." and
offered an amendment 10 the sth section, in order
to effect what il was intended to DO IN the origin
al bill, agreed to, aud on motion Of Mr.. Halbert,
further amended
Mr.. Royce asked for information from the
committee, the till proposed a radical change
in cur listing system He wished 10 know the
reasons that existed. if any, therefor.
Mr. Haioert, from the5c0mmitjee, replied, set
ting forth the inequality in the appraisal Of
property under the present system. no uniform
ity being obtained by the present mode Of assess
ment The bill sought to remedy this and other
named evils. The rating now ranges from l-3
20 % lis true value
Mr. Royce thought the bill failed to provide an
adequate remedy for the evils complained Of by
the Sena,or from Chittenden. The present law
20 which We base been attaching amendments for
year. hai come 20 be pretty well understood by
the people, and unless some great apparent evil
10 be ebyisied, such % radical change should
be avoided He reviewed the complaint Of me
quality, and that 0sud he reached under the
present law. The lst section of the bill provides
oath, TO which listers must subscribe. The
ID provides for the election Of these listers who
are required TO sit a committee Of inquisitiou
on every mans property in town. He did not
believe that honest, capable men could be found
willing 70 accept such a position He objected TO
the Offset system proposed, as striking fatal
blow AZ the credit system; IL, in fact, making
proclamation to the world Of the financial coudi-
ton of every man who Is compelled 70 give IN his
list under such law
Mr. Dickermsn, who is a member Of the com
mit;ee reporting this bill, dissen;ed from the
views OF the majority, and Was opposed to the
81 SOL -.
stor from Franklin.
Mr.. Heath said he had never heard Of any
great reform beng started without lion spring
ing up in the path to frighten Us. 1t is our duty
to whether there Is a real lion in this ease or
not. He did not otapprehend the difficulties under
this law, that had been alluded 10. He spoke Of
the grounds for complaint under the present sys-
TEN. He knew Of towns to day in which the
average value of the land is fifty dollars per acre.
that goes into the list at only thirteen dollars Der
acre. The taxpayer can suffer no harm from I
being sworn, il he is honest. II IS his duty to
tell the truth. The disclosure Of Indebtedness
could do the debtor no harm or the creditor
either, unless il was 10 set 80 much more tax
against the latter, where it belongs. To his
mind the bill has merits, and very essential one,
too There are great evils to overcome, aad the
time is oppOrtune to reach them on account
Of the re-appraisal Of real estate next year. Let
Us perfect and pass this bill
Mr. Pingry further favored the passage Of the
bill reviewing the objections made On account Of
the oath required. lie did MOI regard the oath
as an objection. Mr.. Royce bad alluded TO the
time when the general government tax would
probably be levied directly on the property in the
state, and gave it as reason why he did not
wish 10 see property set in the list at its ac-
tual cash value, it would work injustice to
Vermont. Mr. Pingry dissented from this viex
Of the case and did not anticipate such an event
for long time to come, if ever. lie thought the
bill, il not perfect, would secure greater equality
than at present exists. and was in favor Of its
passage
Mr.. Benedict continued the debate in favor Of
the bill, citing instances to prove the unequal
operations Of the present law. He did not un-