Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-10-18
OCTOBER is, 1882.


tons OF the state, referring to the condition of
the highways, after two years of the practical
working of the so-called Judevine law NV own
experience and observation fully confirm all the
statements therein contained. Nor is this any
thing more than we anticipated before the law
was passed In the summer of 1880 had lit
tie newspaper discussion on the subject with Mr.
Judevine, in the North star, by the invitation of
its then editor, George f. Eaton, and In that dis
cussion | predicted that the result Of freeing
towns from all liability for damages would be
neglect to keep the roads in good and sufficient
repair. The testimony you publish, as well as
similar statements from all parts Of the state,
ply show that the prediction has proved true
The roads in this and the neighboring towns
never were in so deporable condition az they
have been during this season. In several high
way districts no work has been done, and the
rocks are all bare, culverts broken through gull
lies untitled, and small stones cover the surface
OF the roads In countless numbers. reliable
man from Peacham recently told us that 1t would
cost his town $500 to put the roads in as good
a condition as they were before the Judevine law
was passed | am rejoiced to see that Mr.
French of Underhill hasintroduced house bill No.
q to remedy the evil | shall notice the fate of
this bill with much interest.
]. S. D.. Danville, VT
Mr. Editor lis the bad condition of our high
ways due wholly to the new law, or rather is it
not due to variety of causes combined From
my own experience the past summer 1t IL very
evident that small bridges (of less than eight feet
SPAN have been neglected not only in the spring,
but all summer in some highway districts But
there is another matter In this connection worthy
OF consideration, viz the plan Of working large
part of the highway tax in the fall. II this
plan, which we know Is the cause of bad roads
in some districts land we fear 1t is one cause
for bad roads in some parts Of the state) is
found to prevail to any great extent some
remedy should be discovered which will cause
the tax to be worked when it should be.
II 1t is constitutional would not twenty-five or
fifty per cent added to the highway tax Of per-
son who failed to work or pay at least three
tha of hia ta,v haf Tut., IL.
ment to work the tax at the proper time, SO that
the public might be greatly benefited? II it is
constitutional to impose penalty for refusal to
fill out an inventory and to take it ont of man
in tdIeS we cannot see ny 1t cannot apply in the
other case. One principle in making laws we
suppose, Is to consider the greatest good to the
greatest number. Another bad feature of our
roads is the large number of stone to be found
therein. 1t is said that he who removes a stone
from the highway is public benefactor" Now
the query is: Is there way by law to make pub
lie benefactors ii. f. PAUL, Wells, Vt.
TAXATION.
Mr. Editor Taxation is the means necessary
to put and keep in motion the machinery which
affords protection to a mans person and his per-
sonal rights, to his property and the full enjoy
ment Of the same. This is all of it, Tax polls,
tax property, without exemptions; this is the
only just and equal principle of taxation. Une-
quail taxation existing now and at all times re-
suits from departure (by law-makers) from this
plain simple principle Let our Lawmakers re-
turn to and adopt this principle, embody it in a
listing law and the people will find rest Every
man of ability to pay should pay his taxes
Those who are unable find a remedy in the law Of
Attachments The board constituted in each town
for the abatement of taxes are far better judges
OF the ability or inability of their own citizens
than the legislature can possibly be- Exempting
certain articles Of property from taxation is class
legislation and is founded in motive not in prin-
cple. Away with it The failure of former leg
lslatures to equalize taxation is found in their
n na nn1y tArina r,la Ia
suit Efforts to enact listing laws by kind of ar
bitrating, compromising and listening to the hob.
Modifying OF lobbyists, naturally results in legis-
latlon akin to taxing a man for owning pig
(wintered OUT worth five eight dollars and ex-
emptng the owner of a pillow worth ten or twelve
dollars, moving machine, tedder and a long list
OF other articles valued at hundreds of dollars,
from paying taxes thereon. Also taxing the
watch of the school-mistress and exempting
buggy, Sleigh harnesses and robes of every man
IN the district No apology can be found for class
,eels'a,en Ignorance is not patent in our listing
blotted out roNTppIron
Mr. Editor A man owns fal.- and hos
stock and other personal property. He ass. ahs
state to protect this property, both personal and
real. He then asks the state to make the men
who owe nothing pay his taxes because he owes
somebody. II this is just, the principle should be
extended so he be exempt from paying for shoe
ing his horses, mending his chains and paying
hired help, on the ground that he is owing some
body else His tax is debt against him as well
as his physicians bill, and If the man who owes
nothing should pay his tax debt, why not pay his
other debts on the same pleadings viz because he
owes somebody. 1t is said to be hard for n man
in debtto pay taxes. Admit 1t, but the legisa-
ture help it? Can they wrongfully require others
to relieve this hardship by paying his taxes
Every attempt TO so legislate IL wrong and every
law enacted to such ends increases the hardships
and places them where they do not belong. see
the legislature is wandering in the wilderness as
of old. Come to halt, gentlemen, gather around
M frn inl anin htrf 10 inn oil
property, visible and invisible abolish all excep-
tons and offsets, and you will soon find yourselves
out Of the woods. You will awake in full and
quiet possession Of the promised land with no re-
sistance on the part Of the inhabitants thereof.
No class will then have cause Of regret, and SYM
patty need only be extended to the few or many
who expect to ride to the capital on listng-aw
| hobby-horses, CONTRIBUTOR
RELIGION AND TEMPERANCE.
Mr. Editor 1T is an instructive commentary
on the claims in Stephen Girards will, making
| the endowment Of Girard College contingent ON
| the enforcement of his anti-religious within, ex-
GLIDING all clergymen of all denominations for
ever from the building, and that DIR. Allen Just
deceased and for many years president of the in
stitntion, was "A much more jealous promoter of
Christianity than the average clergyman Though
an eminent educator and an accomplished special
list, he was devout Christian and an exemplary
church member. In all the ways which a man of
such rare endowments and great influence could
help forward the interests and institutions of re-
llgion, he was prompt to do So The very restrc
lions under which he exercised his trust stimti-
lated his religious fidelity.
The calm and mighty testimony of the Ameri-
can Medical Association, lately convened at De-
troit, should be pondered by their patients and
patrons, the American people. They say, 1.-THE
use OF alcoholic liquors as beverage Is produc-
i've OF large amount OF physical and mental
disease, 1t entails diseased appetites and en-
feebed constitutions upon offspring, and is the
cause OF large percentage of our crime and
pauperism. Alcohol should be classed with other
1t should be done with the utmost caution and I'M
der sense of great responsibility" L. BALLou.