Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-03-06
THE RUTLAND HERALD
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5. 1873.
Town Meeting.

accounts for experimenting the con-
struction of the Town Hail. Mr.. Cain
was allowed, before the opening of the
polls, as were also the other selectmen,
thirty minutes for explanations, and the
matter came up subsequently in rather
an animated discussion between Mr.
Cain and Gov. Page. We do not propose
here, to enter into the details OF the DIS
cussion, neither do we deemit necessary,
in our regular report of the proceedings
of the meeting, to give the questions and
answers or the general drift of the de-
bate and statements In full, or even to
attempt an abstract thereof. The whole
matter has been referred to the select
men, and from them we shall expect
full, free and impartial investigation
and fair, impartial, ineligible and de-
tailed statement of the accounts and the
items of the account. This is due not
only to the town but to Mr.. Cain.
Whatever services Mr.. Cain has rendered
the town he is, under precedents which
have governed the town heretofore, en-
titled to a fair and reasonable compensa-
ton therefor. What compensation would
be fair and reasonable depends upon
number of considerations. What did he
do? What understanding did he have
with the other members of the board of
selectmen? Was there a necessity for
his superintendent, in addition to that
e L., I Q'bapa nthnr
siderations to be viewed in final dis
position Of the matter, and we only men,
ton these as among the many bearing
on the question The meeting was not
in situation to pass, finally, upon the
accounts. They had no detailed state
ment of the accounts, no bill of items,
In fact, no data upon which to act.
Everyone, of course, understands that
from the mere reading of list of items,
even if accompanied by full and explicit
explanations, that fair and just idea of
an account cannot be obtained. If this
is 80 with individuals, how much more
so in an open town meeting with over
six hundred voters in attendance All
the verbal statements and reading of
items that could possibly be made would
fail to enlighten the mass of voters, and
we doubt if it would single individual
among the number. We say, therefore,
that the voters and taxpayers were not
in situation to act upon the matter, and
that 1t was justice to Mr.. Cain as well
as right to the town that the selectmen
should examine the matter in detail, and
pass thereon. 1t will be seen that the
proposition to raise a tax of one hun
bred cents on the dollar was voted down,
and one of fifty cents substituted. We
think this wise action. The people have
been overburdened with taxation for the
past ten years, and it is but right, when
justice to the town and Its creditors will
admit of 1t, that these burdens should be
rendered as light as possible. The tax
voted will, certainly, pay the legitimate
current expenses of the town economi-
cally administered, and also provide for
accruing Indebtedness. The extraordin-
airy expenses that have accrued and form
a part of the existing debt, it seems to
us, should not be entirely paid at once.
These improvements and benefits are not
for US alone, or for single year, and it
Is but reasonable that portion of it, at
least, should be bonded, so that its pay
ment may be made in installments, year
by year, and others, who with us reap
the benefit, may, also share the burden.
The proposition to sell the town farm
provoked but little discussion, and was
disposed of in the usual and convenient
manner, by reference to the selectmen.
This is, perhaps, the beat disposition that
could be made of the question at this
time. There are many considerations
involved in the question of how best to
support the town poor The towr as q
town, IS bound legally and y orally to
furnish a comfortable and doouate SIM
port to her poor. This &c admitted. in
the start, by all, ap'' tho only issue is
que u economy and, at the same time,
Aun'y' Ne do not propose to enter
1pon ..n subject at this time. The
I'No i of taking care of the poor in
y YES a problem, the solution of which
has occupied the time and thoughts OF
our best and purest, as well as most in
telligent and scientific political econom-
lists, philanthropists and legislators. The
literature of the question is almost i'm
measurable, and the problem is nqt yet
solved. The poor farm is an expert
ment. 1t has its advantages and its dis
advantages, and so will any system that
may be adopted. We trust that our Sc
lectmen will give the subject due con-
sideration and be prepared to report
some feasible plan at the next March
meeting. The subject of pay of town
officers was also preached, but we pass
II by as we intend, ut another time, to
consider that question somewhat at
length. The usual routine business was
transacted and the meeting closed with,
apparently, the best of feeling In re,
ference to the town officers elected, we
have but word to say. Theyare ried
true, practical business men, and ne af
fairs of the town are in safe han "a for a
year, at least. We feel that TH'G HERALD
has reason to congratulate itself on the
result. Our efforts have been crowned
with success and the ring is broken We
think, perhaps, that parry politics should
have little to do with town affairs.
Under this cry, however, a ring has con.
trolled the town elections, as they have
endeavored, also, to control village cleo
tions. They were nearly all of the same
party, too, although they would, at
times, nominate sprinkling of good, re-
liable men to cover their tracks and
keep up the non-partisan look. The ring
was so effectually broken yesterday that
1t will be difficult, if not impossible, to
impart vitality to it again.
The FISHERY Bill. The fishery bill
having passed the House, there is but