The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1886-10-29

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that ''all transactions in his department
are correct" This is gratifying, but nc
unexpected intelligence. The Auditori
his report dwells at some length on tn
fruitful subject of "COurt Expenses.
and your careful attention is solicited I
the information there given, and the sug
gestlons and recommendations ther
made. The want of uniformity in exist
ing laws, wherein 1t consists, and pro
posed remedy therefor, are 80 plainly Sc
1Orth that there is no occasion for me Il
dwell upon the subject further than tt
express confident hope that such legis
lation may be had as to provide that al
costs accruing in criminal prosecutions
should In cases of conviction be taxed
against the respondent. So far as may
be reasonably possible, let the viOlatol
OF the criminal law of the State, as q
part of the penalty Of his crime be re.
quired to pay the costs and expenses OF
the State in bringing him to justice. The
remarks and suggestions of the Auditor
bearing on expenses and costs in crimi.
nal cases. merit, and l trust will have,
your careful and patient attention.
That abuses have been corrected, and
that misapplied or withheld funds of
the State have so largely found their
way into the Treasury is, as have said,
cause for congratulation, but not an ex-
cuse for relaxation of vigilance. You
will not forget that it often happens that
there Is the greatest danger in fact, VIII II
quiet and seeming prosperity abound.
An empty Treasury is far from being an
unmixed evil 1t prompts and encourages
care and economy, while an overlooking
one often leads the way to extravagant
appropriations, and the waste Of public
funds.
Akin to the subject of State expenses,
Is that relating to the means and meas
ules provided for meeting them, and
this can only be accomplished by some
of the varied modes of taxation. And
assume that, for the present at least, it
will be the policy of the State to look for
its revenues mainly to the provisions of
Act No. l of the Session Laws of 1882,
entitled San Act to provide revenue for
the payment OF State expenses" and Acts
in addition thereto, or amendment there
of, Familiarity known as the Corporation
Tax Law. The adoption of this method
was, as you know, a wide departure from
former ones, and, in no limited sense an
experiment. The experiment. has been
successful, probably beyond the expec-
tatiOn Of the most sanguine of its promo
tiers, and, what is more surprising and
not less gratifying, this success has been
brought about without friction, or dis
turbance of the large business interests
and the law has, believe, the
acquiescence of all parties and
persons made to contribute by it. Too
much commentator cannot be given to
the trainers and promoters of this law.
The State at large has been greatly bene-
fitted, and | am not aware that any of
the contributing parties now complain.
The wise and fortunate selection of Tax
Commissioner to apply and administer
the law In question, and the wisdom and
marked discretion with which he has per-
formed his new and complex duties, have
done much to secure it's success, and mer-
Its this recognition at my hands. From
the report of the Commissioner, we learn
that the taxes assessed under this law in
1884 amounted to $205, 22l .76, and in 1885
5000, 685.70, and from the report of the
appears. of the taxes assessed
in 1884 there was paid into the Treasury
the sum Of $205, 225 .33, and of those as
sessed in 1885 there was paid the sum of
5000. 6S5.70; and the Treasurer estimates
the receipts for 1885 under the law, at
5000. 200.
The Tax Commissioner by his report
makes certain suggestions and recon-
concerning the correction of
some seeming inequalities in the appli-
cation and working of the law, and the
removal of claimed doubts as to it's appli-
cation, to which solicit your considerate
attention.
BY the report of the Commissioner of
Taxes, we learn that statistical inquiry
under the provisions of Act No. of
1884, fixes the average rate of property
taxation in the State in 1884 at about one
and twenty-thr, cents on the
dollar of the grand list of that year, and
at about one hundred and twenty-five
cents for the year 1885. This informa-
ton should prompt watchfulness and
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF FINANCE.
Among other important duties imposed
upon the Inspector of Finance is that of
examining and making report to the Gen.
eral Assembly as to the condition of the
Banks aud Trust Companies in
the State. This alone makes this office
one of grave Importance to the people.
In 1860 the various savings banks of
the State held deposits to the amount of
about one million dollars the amount now
held (June 80, 1867 including deposits
in Trust Companies, is fourteen millions,
two hundred fifty three thousand, nine
hundred sixty-three dollars and forty
seven cents, and the number of depositors
{ at same date) is 40, 453. To avery large
extent these deposits are the savings
and in many cases the little all-of the
poor, the widows and orphans of the
State, and it is your duty to encircle
them with every safeguard, and to pro-
tect them with every reasonable limita-
ton and restriction as to Investment.