Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-06-24

In opening the June term Of the county
court at Manchester, Judge Veazey, in his
charge to the grand jury, referred to the new
tax law and alleged violations Of II in the fol-
lowing pointed words. The application of
the Judges remarks, IL is unnecessary TO say,
extends throughout the state
1t has, in general terms been represented to me
that in some instances, not specified the tax law,
so-called has not been complied with and that indi-
viduals in this county have in been guilty
of perjury under that law and have been requested
to explain TO you when man under that law becomes
subject to indictment for perjury. II person will
fully that false statement made by him in his
inventory is true, he ia guilty and should be indicted
for perjury. Under the act man is not obliged TO
make an inyentory-he is not obliged TO make oath to
II, but may leave II for the listers to make up and
double but II he undertakes to make up he must
tell the truth If he wilfuy lies about It, he is sub
ject to penalty and should be punished.
Section 10 provides thaa listers shall appraise prop
erty at is true value in money and report IL and
faithfully perform all their duties. II they, in any in
judgment, then they should be indicted II there
have been wilfu violations Of this law, which is a
matter for you to decide when your attention s called
to alleged instances, about which know nothing far
Their than what have already stated then cannot
impress upon you too strongly the importance Of
duty I'm the premises. Most men ready and will
ing TO do their Just share In bearing public burdens
but there is perhaps nothing more irksome to such
men than the feeling and belief that they compel
ed to do than their share by the shrkng Of 9TH
ers The idea of equality in this respect incorpo
rated in the declaration Of rights adopted IN this state
member Of society hath right to be protected in the
enjoyment Of life, liberty aud property, and there
fore IL bound to contribute his proportion towards the
expenses Of that protection" Absolute equality in
taxation is practically unattanable but the legislation
upon IL for the century Of existence state has
been designed to reach equality nearly possible
deep-seated and, as think, well-grounded feeling
that abuses existed in this respect produced the egs
lAton OF last fall. The people rightly demanded
remedy, and may rightfully demand its enforce
ment. violation Of this law by taxpayer lister
hits not single individual small community, but
everybody VINO pays taxes. Every dollar that
man wrongfuy escapes paying the others have got to
pay. II the listers Of one town fail in their duty,
cry other town must suffer. The law seeks only
equality and Justice and its enforcement ought to
meet the approval Of all men. At any rate, being
the law, 1t is the duty Of the courts 10 to its
forcemen when cases come up and the duty Of grand
jurors to inquire into its alleged violations. II the
enforcement of this law should ll prisons, or as
some say, drive OF some Of our people because they
are not willing to bear their equal share of the public
burden, the better II will be for the state. Better
small population Of honest men than large OF
perjurers and shirks But, whatever may be our in
diydual notions about the law it is enough for u.s.
officers Of courts Of justice, to know that it is the law