The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-12-30
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ECONOMY IN LEGISLATION.

thereof should understand that Vermont
demands, at their hands, the most rigid
economy. We do not mean that the APP
preparations which may be voted for the
rebuilding of the reform school should he
stinted or piggardly. This would not be
economy, but would partake more OF
waste or extravaganza. The senators and
individually and collect
lively, need have no fear but that the tax
payers of the state will warmly endorse
large and liberal appropriations for this
purpose appropriations large enough to
provide, not only for the present needs of
the institution but, also, for the future.
Notwithstanding ''money is tight and the
payment of additional taxes will bear hard
ly on some, If not all, wise economy de-
mands that the reform school shall he
placed on sure and enduring foundations.
We do not want to be called upon, year
after year, for additional amounts and
never get through with this rebuilding. We
do not want this school, aside from the ne
cessary expenses of its proper maintenance
continually crying "give," ''gice.' There
is no necessity for such demand fr
''more, ''still more" We can build for
the present and the future at the same time
and can pay as we so. Vermont towns
have had experience in putting off the evil
day of iyment until better times. The
richer towns of the sta 10 raised money
to pay bounties to luntccrs, and these
same towns are now .,Joiing and groaning
under l,lrthen o' taxation almost too
grievous To be bol ,c. Other towns, those
that we are wont 10 look at as poorer
towns, paid as large, if not larger bounics
than their more favored sisters, promptly
raised the money y taxation, and when
the war ended, waen hard times came,
when ''moncy was tight We had them
without debt and paying only triiing taxes.
And during the 'bounty days" tho tax
payers of the ricl,r towns suffered more
at least, they grumbled morc-than those
of the poorer towns from taxation. There
is no economy for a town or state in mig
gardlincss in making appropriations for pub
lie buildings, in erecting only large enough
for to-day, in falling to provide for the
probabilities of the future, or in borrowing
money instead of paying taxes for the con-
struction Of proper buildings. Economy
then demands, in the first place, wise and
liberal appropriations, the voting of a suf-
ficieat tax to meet them, and the erection
of suitable buildings wherein the "wards
of the state" both now and for ieason-
able time in the future, may be properly,
comfortably and well cared for.
But this was not what we intended to
refer to. There is another kind of ccono-
my that the people demand OF their sena.
tors and representatives. They demand q
rigid economy in the matter Of time and
legislation. The general assembly is called
together for special purpose. and when
this purpose is accomplished. as it can bt
in a single day, then it is expected that an
adjournment will be had. 1t may possibly
quire attention if so and if the necessity
for relief is immediate, lei that, also, be
attended to, but let our legislators under.
stand that Vermont expects only session
of day or two. Whether tho session
shall be long or short, whether the doors
shall be open for general legislation of al
kinds, whether the general assembly shall
sit as long as Congress does, whether the
per diem of a single member shall be three
six, Or three hundred dollars is for the leg
islature to determine. Theirs is the solt
power and upon them alone will be the re
spOnsibilty. We say this because diff
terent opinion seems TO prevail in certai
quarters. The press of Vermont, even
seems to be mixed upon the subject-ont
claiming that the matters to be legislate,
upon arc limited by the governors procla
nation, while another awaits the message
to ascertain what questions it may be legt
innate 10 consider. The governor has II,
more to do with it than the overseer of tn
poor of Montpelier. 1t is solely q matte
for tho legislature to regulate. To clearl.
show this, we need but refer to the extr
session of 1867, called by Governor Dill
lingham, on account of the railroad trouble
at Bennington. This was the only subjec
mentioned in his proclamation or referee
to in his message, yet railroad, tclegrap
and gas companies were incorporated
towns authorized to aid in the constructor
of railroads, school districts established
ETC., etc.--all aside from the purpose O
object for which the general assembly wa
convened. Whether this shall be re-enaC
ted remains 10 be seen. Already the al
Is full of rumors of projects that will b
pressed upon the attention of the leg
stature, and that Ivy members of til
different houses. Not new matters, fc
these might, perhaps, BE- entitled To som
consideration, but the most of which coul
well await their turn two years hence.
will be remembered that the legislature, {
its recent session, ruthessly slaughtere
many proposed laws, some on account {
leaving everything until The list mo.nen,
and Others because they We're dsicrmine
to kill them anyway. 1t is understood thu
determined effort will be made to pre-.
some OF these matters again on the after
ton OF the general assembly, thus consun
Ing time and wasting the peoples none,
Most OF these questions were considere
and discussed and verdict rendered, le a
ing only an appeal to the court of last r.
sort-the people. We respectfully subm
that the people, as yet. have had no oppo
tunity To pass upon that verdict, and tn
the time of the legislature should not
occupied with questions which they ha'
already decided-some for better and son
for worse. Once open the door, and
one can count the cost or tell when the CT
will come. Economic, IN this respeo
ekn l.a al