Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-08-13


that the State tax has increased during the
past twenty-five years from seventeen cents
to forty cents on the dollar of the grand list
and that the strictly current expenses OF the
State have increased from $3.50, 900 in 1856
to S219, 900 after the war and nearly $780,
900 in 1873. The impression intended TO be
conveyed, is that the Republican administra-
ton of State affairs is corrupt and extrava-
giant. This is broadly asserted as fact in
the platform itself and is the burden of Dem
ocratic talk. While the face of the state
ment relating 70 State taxation and expenses
bears the semblance of truth, ii in fact covers
a gross and malicious Misrepresentation.
Longer ago than twenty-five years the State
tax was less than seventeen cents on the dol
lar, and during the past twenty-five years it
has been as high as one hundred ard twenty
five cents-to aid in putting down Demo-
cratic rebellion. But that they don't want
to talk about, that is waving the bloody
shirt After we fairly passed the war period
the State tax steadily diminished from fifty
five cents in 1866 TO twenty-five cents in
1876. In 1877 and 1873 it was thirty cents,
and in 1879 forty centS-the increase to cover
the debcntures of the coming session Of the
Legislature. During this time 81, CSC, 900
in State bonds issued to defray the expenses
of the war, have matured and have been
paid paid off, and this immense sum has
been under a constantly diminishing State
tax up to 1915 fne tax ruisevi fuI that year
was found to be too small To meet the neces-
sary payments. The increase in the follow
ing wears covered the deficit OF the previous
year and paid of the S33, 800 in bonds
due in 1873 The alleged increase in the
purely current expenses of the State is
traceable to causes that relieve il entirely OF
the implication of extravaganza and corrup-
ton; tSince 1856, and notably within the
past ten TO fifteen years, the State has OK
pended large sums to advance the cause OF
education and our agricultural interests.
Our State prison, our rcformatory and char
liable institutions, have either been newly
created or have been the recipients Of more
liberal expenditures All these objects have
taken money Democrats have voted con-
currently with Republicans in appropriating
money for our normal schools, our State
educational expenses, our Board OF Agricul-
ture, our State Prison, our Reform School,
our Workhousc, our Asylum for the insane,
and worthy Democratic citizens are
among the crstodians of these in
stitutions and the funds appropriated
for their benefit. Has this money been
stolen or injudiciously expended? Nothing
of this kind is alleged. These institutions
cannot be maintained without money. Abol-
ish them, and the State tax will not exceed
the amount twenty-five years ago. Set every
thing back TO the condition it was in guar
ter of century previous to 1865, and the tax
will be even less than Seventeen cents on
the dollar Of the grand list" Follow the
logic of the Democratic doctrine of reform
still farther back TO its legitimate conclusion,
and ut length point will be reached where
taxes and civilization itself will disappear.
We cannot have these reformatory, these
charitable, these progressive institutions,
without raising money by taxation TO sup
poIt them. Not to have them is to retrogade
towards barbarism. The changes worked by
time, by an increasing population, and by the
development of our country, necessitate laws,
institutions, and resulting expenses that were
not known in the more primitive times. That
the money required for them be expended to
the best of human wisdom anil honesty is
what an enlightened community demands,
and this has been done in Vermont under
Republican administration and will continue
to he. In one department of State expenses,
the courts, there has, by general acknowledge
mcnt, been an increase III expenses that de
maIds a reform but it is not an evil that
can be laid 10 the charge of Republican
State or local maladministration. Years
ago the Republican press, and Republicans
eminent in the affairs OF the State, took up
the matter of reforming this abuse. 1t is
one that cannot be removed in a day. The
system under which the abuse has grown is
as old as the courts Active measures for
its full and complete reformation are at
work, and Republicans should have TIE
cordial and honest cooperation of Democrats
in the task they have undertaken. This is
the true inwardness of the increase in our
State tax and purely current" State ex-
pcnscs. In the main it is just and rcasona-
Lle. Where it is Otherwise Republicans To
mere than Democrats are Responsible
Waterman.