Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-15
March Meetings.

March Meetings.
The revolving seasons, in the language OF
the conventional fast and thanksgiving day
proclamation, have again brought round
the time when the voters and town officials
bethink themselves of the annual town
meeting and begin to discuss the duties in
cident 10 the March gathering of the "sov-
ereigns." No more important duty will de-
volve upon the citizens of the towns this
spring than the selection of boards of list
ers. At any time the requirements of the
act TO equalize taxation passed at the last
session of the legislature would demand OF
every town for these officials its best men
in point of good judgment, tact, resolution
and integrity. Those towns which year
ago made judicious selections realized the
most satisfactory results under the new law ;
those which were less discriminating in re-
gard to the character and qualifications OF
their listers were involved in difficulties, and,
in some notable instances, in disgrace which
pointed the finger Of shame at them from
all honest communities. The approaching
March meeting will give such towns an
opportunity to correct the errors Of the past
and to redeem their names from dishonor.
Aside from the consideration that the choice
of listers is never an unimportant act, the
fact that this is the year for the quadren-
NAL appraisal Of real estate demands tn g
selection of men for listers who will dis
charge their delicate duties impartially,
fearlessly and with carefully balanced judg-
ment. The valuation fixed upon real estate
this year will stand for purposes of taxation
for the next four years. The Importance
which this fact will give to the choice Of
listers need not be enlarged upon. Men Of
independent judgment as to values will be
needed. The previous appraisals, especially
of farm and wild land, should not decisively
influence their decisions. Under the re-
quirement of the act to equalize taxation, as
it was construed by many towns, the ap-
praisal of 1881 was made while the SHOWS
of winter still covered the ground and under
limitations as to time which were unfavor-
able to accuracy. This year the genera !
law will be operative; the valuation will be
made in June, and with deliberation and care
necessary to secure the requisite degree of
precision. The state board of equalization
will review the work of the listers, and for
this purpose, strong men, honest men, men
of clear heads will need be found among
the boards OF listers from which to constitute
this state board In towns where listers
have honestly and successfully discharged
their duties, the best good of all parties, and
especially Of the large class Of small tax
payers who have been most benefited by
equalization, will be consulted by re-electing
the old listers. Their acquired familiarity
with the methods and requirements of the
new law will largely tend to accuracy and
will require quite as keen scent as a year
ago. The training Of good listers should
not be thrown away. Their experience
with hard and slippery cases will narrow
down the margin for lodging" and their
general experience will inure to the profit
and convenience Of all taxpayers. If the
old boards are not reelected as whole, tn e
men on them "most noted for wisdom and
virtue" should certainly be rechosen for
the obvious benefits their services will confer.
The selection of town superintendent OF
schools is duty, the gravity of whose i'm
portance is not appreciated, or, if appreci-
ated, not always needed. Supervision Of
schools, to be effective, must be by competent
persons, practically familiar with educa-
tional matters, experienced in the work OF
teaching, and they should be retained in Of
fee from year to year. Frequent change in
this Office adds to the general inefIiciency Of
the schools. For many years preceding the
past, the state paid the town superintend
ents. The legislature, at its last session
made their compensation chargeable directly
to the towns. The state auditors report
shows that school supervision cost the state
about $4,000 annually. That the aggre
gate cost to the towns will exceed this sun
is not an unreasonable assumption. 1t is al
immense sum to pay for supervision in our
little state under any circumstances. Ac
tive, efficient supervision, under state sys
tenn, should be secured for very mucl
smaller sum. If no benefits commensurate,
with the great expense are realized from
town supervision, the Injustice to taxpayer
and the schools is greatly aggravated b,
this consideration. This is neither tn
time nor the place to discuss a system. w
have the town system of supervision, and +
obtain the highest measure of benefit III
der it, the town should look well to tn
qualifications of officers who will tax,
in the aggregate, $4,000 of the people
money for their annual salaries.