Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-08-20

portion of State patients among tho insane,
against those which are self.supporting, IL
nov so much larger than 1t was score OF
wears apo. The course of the State in max
ing these pauper patients State charges in
stead of town charges, Mr.. Martin defended
on the humane ground that II these pauents
were made town charges no town would own
them and they would be left to wander about
TO do violence to themselves or others Still
another factor in the increased expense for
the insane lies in the fact that the
spirit of the times demands that asylums for
the insane shall keep pace in their acconmo-
dations appliances and general management
with the onward march Of human improve
ment in every direction. This demand the
people of Vermont have made on their own
institution. The demand has been fully met,
and the Vermont Asylum is today the equal
in every respect of any similar institution i'll
other States. The price for the board OF
State patients was increased by the last lcgs-
laturc. but the present price Of $500 per
week is the smallest sum per week paid to
any similar public institution in any State.
With regard TO the expenditures on account
of the educational and agricultural depart
ments, Mr. Martin said that these were nee
essary in order TO keep pace with the de
mands of the times that such demands OK
listed was not chargeable either to the Repub-
lican or the Democratic party, and he did not
believe there was an honest, candid man, who
believed in culture, development and intelli-
gonco, who would be willing to 60 back to
the days of $4,000, with their low taxes, and
do away with our reformatory institutions,
and agricultural and educational systems.
On the subject of salaries paid to State Of
ficers Mr. Martin spoke in detail Of the meas
ures introduced and work done by Republi-
can members of the last legislature to cut
down salaries As the result of these efforts
by Republican members the salaries of the
Secretary of State and State Treasurer were
reduced to $1,000 each, and all allowance for
clerk hire, lights and fuel was cut of, thus
making in all n considerable saving. The
majority in the House favored a reduction to
; 100, but the Senate refused to concur and
fixed the salary at Sl7OO.
Lastly Mr.. Martin took up the subject OF
court expenses, of which more has been said
by the Democrats than of any one other sub
ject and in his incisive treatment of the mat
ter he showed that the policy Of the Republ-
cans has been to cut down such expenses
that much was accomplished in this direction
in ISIS through the labors of a competent
and experienced Republican member (Huse
Of Montpelier), and that measures were then
also introduced and carried through the legis-
lature, looking toward q careful examination
reduction to the lowest point consistent with
the complete and exact administration of JUS
tce for all classes.
Many Republicans, even, do not seem to
be aware that an act was passed by the last
legislature providing for a careful revision of
the laws of the State, by commissioners to be
appointed by the governor that the late la
mented Hon. G. w. Willard of Montpelier,
and Hon. Whcelock q. Veazey, of Rutland,
s I'll e H..
State were constituted these commissioners,
and that their work was so far advanced at
the time of Mr. Wizards death that it will be
completed in season to be submitted to the
Legislature of this year. Further than this,
and what is still more pertinent to the matter
in hand, under a resolution offered by Mr.
Huse of Montpelier, it was made the special
duty Of these commissioners, having this re-
vision Of the statutes in hand 'to report to
the next Legislature what, in their judgment
shall be the best method by which court ex-
penses may be reduced and the efficiency of
our courts at the same time preserved"
Here, then. Is the evidence that the Repub-
licans of Vermont are in earnest in their de
sire for retrenchment and reform in court ex-
penditurcs. After stopping numerous leaks
and materially reducing these expenditures in
the legislature of 1873, through the labors of
prominent Republican member, they placed
the whole matter in the hands of eminently
competent men, with instructions to look
carefully into the subject and report This,
il is evident to every reasonable man. Repub-
lican or Democrat, was the only wise and pru-
dent method to adopt. by il all leaks will be
discovered and all unnecessary expenditures
will be Topped of, and at the same time the
efficiency of the courts will be carefully main
tanned. To sum up the whole matter, let it
be said that Mr. Martin showed in his speech
by actual official figures, carefully and plain
ly stated
LIST, that there has been no such exorbtant
increase in our State current expenses since the
war rs the Democrats through their party plat
form and papers have claimed and repre-
scented.
ID, that striking Il fair and strictly equita-
bic balance between the expenditures for
either the year 1850 or 1867 aud those for
1879, the showing is better by more than
500, coo in favor of the latter year.
Sd, that in those directions in which ex-
pcndituros have been increased, viz, for
reformatory institutions, care of the insane,
the educational and agricultural departments,
etc.-the increase has been rendered noccs-
sary by the demand of the times for better
things in all these dircctions-a demand
which Is not confined to the State of Yer
mont alone, but affects all States alike whose
people attempt to keep pace with an advanc-
ing civilization.
lth that the policy of the Republicans of
Vermont is for retrenchment and a decrease
OF eNpenditures-a fact which is fully illus
tratcd by their reduction Of the State tax
from 10 to 80 and 10 cents on n dollar of the
grand lst-and still further by their action in
providing wise, searching and complete
method for the reduction of court expenses,
which are the one source of alleged waste
and prohigacy on which the Democrats have
laid the greatest stress and made their broad
est accusations.