Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-10-15

Leading Topics Considerable Detaile,
and Comprehensive Message.

We are assembled, in ACCORDANCE with the
provisions of the constitution, rs the
chosen representatives of the treemen OF
Vermont, in the several legislative depart
ments of State government-each ana all
by our several oaths of office bound to
faithfully do and perform every duty, La
aid and furtherance of our individual de
termination to sacredly keep those oaths,
let us remember that, in and OF ourselves
only, our best endavors are liable to come
to naught that abiding strength and un-
erring guidance come only from Him who
rules the Universe.
The people whose servants we are de
mand OF us prompt and efficient action in
whatever comes to us to do or consider as
their representatives. The time and
money spent here in their service is theirs
not ours. Duly impressed with correct
views of duty, let us proceed to perform
ance OF it with AS much despatch as is con
sistent with candid consideration and safe
and wise conclusions
The biennial reports of the several State
officers, as to matters under their charge,
will be before you. To these you will look
for details and itemized accounts of cur
rent State AFFAIRS, and also, for informa-
ton as to how well or i'll the affairs per
tanning to the welfare OF the State have
been, and are being, performed by your
selected and trusted servants--for the
State officers are but the servants OF the
people, and their reports an account OF
their stewardship.
The report of the treasurer presents an
itemzed statement of the financial affairs
and condition of the State. The subject
of the finances of the State usually does and
always should have, the most rigid and
careful scrutiny, and the public does and
should require this. The abstract of the
treasurer's report, being the same in sub
stance as that given in Gov. Pingree' s
message is here omitted.
STATE EXPENSES.
This subject has received much atten-
ton and consideration at the hands Of the
Legislature within the last decade many
abuses have been remedied many sources
and avenues of unnecessary expense have
been etfectually closed important streams
of revenue, that had ceased to flow, par
TALLY or wholly, have been made to pour
again their hidden or diverted contents
into the State treasury. This is a just
cause for congratulation and thankful
ness. That 50 much has been accomplish
ed, my predecessors, in their biennial mes
sages have uniformly given much credit
to the faithful and intelligent service OF
our present auditor of accounts, and
take this opportunity to express like sen
tinents, not as a compliment merely but
to give public and official recognition and
appreciation of faithful and intelligent
performance of duty.
Turning to the report of the auditor of
dCCOllHlS, We llltl llldJ lie mas given
quisite attention to the transactions of the
State treasurer, and of him he says that
''all transactions in his department are
correct" This is gratifying, but not uneX-
pected intelligence. The auditor in his
report, dwells at some length on the fruit
full subject of court expenses" and your
careful attention is solicited to the infor-
formation there given, and the sugges-
tons and recommendations there made.
The want of uniformity in existing laws
wherein 1t consists, and a proposed remedy
therefor, and so plainly set forth, that
there IS no occasion for me to dwell upon
the subject further than to express con
tidnt hope that such legislation may be
had as to provide that all costs. accruiug
in criminal prosecutions, should, in cases
of conviction, be taxed against the re
spondent. So far as may be reasonably
possible, let the violator of the criminal
law of the State, as q part of the penalty
of his crime, be required to pay the costs
and expenses of the State in bringing hin
to justice. The remarks and suggestions
of the auditor bearing on expenses anC
costs in criminal cases, merit and trust
will have, your careful and patient atten
ton.
That abuses have been corrected, anG
that misapplied or withheld funds of the
State have so largely found their way into
the treasury is, as | have said, cause fol
congratulations, but not an excuse fol
relaxation of vigilance. You will not for
get that it often happens that there is the
greatest danger in fact, when quiet anC
seeming prosperity abound. An empty
treasury is far from being an unmixet
evil it prompts and encourages care auC
economy, while an overlooking one oftel
leads the way to eXtravagant appropria
tiOns and waste Of public funds.
Akin to the subject of State expenses, il
that relating to the means provided fol
meeting them, and this can only be ac
complished by some of the varied modes
of taxation. And | assume that, for tn,
present at least, it will be the policy of tn,
State to look for its revenues mainly t,
the provision of act No. | of the session
laws of 1882 entitled IAN act to provide
revenue for the payment of State eX
penses," and acts in addition thereto, o
amendment thereof familiarly known "a
the corporation tax law. The adoption o
this method, was, as you know, a wide de
parture from former ones, and, in II,
limited sense, an experiment. The expert
ment has been successful, probably be
You'd the expectations of the most san
guine of its promoters, and, what is NOR
surprising, and not less gratifying, thi
success has been brought about Withou
friction, or disturbance of the large bust
ness interests involved and the law has
| believe, the cheerful acquiescence of al
parties and persons made to contribut
by it. Too much commentator canno
be gwen 10 the trainers and promoters O
this law The State at large has bee
greatly benefited, and am not awar
that any of the contributing parties nov
complain. The wise and fortunate selet
ton of tax commissioner, to apply an
administer the law in question, and tn
wisdom and marked discretion with whc
he has performed his new complex duties
have done much to secure its success, an
merits this recognition at my hands
From the report of the commissioner, W
learn that the taxes assessed under thi
law in 1854 amounted to s205 ,22l. 76, and i
1855, 300, 6s5 70, and from this report c
the treasurer 1t appears, of the taxes assess
ed in 1854 there was paid into the treasur
the sum of s205, 225, 33, and Of those assess
ed in 1885 there was paid the sum OF 300
6s5 20 and the treasurer estimates tn
receipts for lSS6 under the law at 5000, 00
The tax commissioner by his repol
makes certain suggestions and recon
mendatOns concerning the correction
some seeming inequalities in the applies
ton and working of the law, and the r.
moval Of claimed doubts as to its apple
ton, to which | solicit your considerat
attention.
nv the reDort of tba commissioner