Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-07-31
State Expenses.


Standard we heartily endorse anC
commend to the careful consideration
of every voter.
One Of the most important questions
TO come before the Legislature at it,
coming session. will be reform in the
matter of State Expenditures. This
reform must come from the Republican
party. We have nominated man foI
Governor who is pledged to economy
in this respect, and is thoroughly in
earnest upon the subject, and we be-
lieve, if elected, will do all he can to
stem the tide of extravagant and waste
full legislation, which has swept over
us for a few years past. He can ac-
complish but little unless he has leg
islature in sympathy with him, and in
earnest upon the subject. Such leg
islature the tax payers demand and
should have. Men should be elected
who will vigorously oppose any and
all attempts to vote away the peoples
money except as absolutely necessary
for State purposes. II would seem
that for few years past our legislature
has voted money for any and all pur-
poses, without regard to whether the
people Of the State generally demanded
it, or would be benefited by it, Many
local interests have been fostered and
built up at the expense of the whole
State. The lobby, which has gathered
at Montpelier, for the purpose of adj
yancing particular schemes, has seem
ed TO sway TO a great extent our law
makers. Each succeeding legislature
would seem TO have We'd with its pred
ecessor in extravaganza and waste
This has continued until the burden Of
taxation has become excessive, especi-
ally upon our farming community. 1t
is high time halt was declared if we
are 10 have any farms in the State not
abandoned"
When in 1882, the law was passed
taxing railroads and other corporations
it was said that the taxes paid by the
would nearly or quite pay
all the expenses of the State. The
tax voted that year, before the corpora
tion taxes could be efiectual, was Zoe.
on dollar At the session of the legis
lature in 1884. it was found necessary
to vote tax OF 10 cents on a dollar
on the list of 1885 to meet State ex-
penses over and above the corporation
taxes. and in 1886, - cents was voted
on the list of 1887, and in 1888, POI
cents was voted on the list of 1889 4
thus increasing in amount at each ses-
sion of the legislature.
During these years the State has re-
ceived from the corporation tax over
s20t, coo yearly, and for the year 80
S26S, 600 and from the direct tax Of
1887, S2l0,000, and from the direct
tax Of 1889 1888, ,4l2, making the re-
ceipts from the corporation tax and
direct taxes for 1889 S62l ,412.
There would seem to be outrageous
extravaganza or waste somewhere to
require the raising Of so much money |
by taxation and this too in time of
such general depression in business of
al kinds.
This does not compare fayorably !
with the expenses of the State previous
10 the war, which averaged Sl50,00O !
'early.
Abolish double taxation, make state
axes needless by rigid economy in
tate expenses reduce town taxes by
,utting the management Of town af-
airs into the hands Of practical men
n favor Of rigid economy; lower the
reight rates and greater economy in
expenses. These things
viii help farmers little. Times will
,e better soon. We have reached the
,ottom. From now on we shall gain.