Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1892-10-13
FULLFR'S MESSAGE.
HIS Recommended AS TO
NEEDED LEGISLATION.

his RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO
NEEDED LEGISLATION.
Review of the Published r ports of the
sState-A Prudent Reform of the Liquor
Law Suggested-Condition OF State Insti-
rtion-For State Supervision of Roada-
militia Honored-The Election Law Crit
HcIsed. but Not Conference.-The Message
Complete.
ateutlemen Of the Senate and House of
Representatives.
Having been elected chief magistrate of the
state, i assume the office with sense of the
great responsibility resting upon me, realiz-
ing my need of the kindly forbearance of all
The constitution imposes upon the executive
'the duty of laying before you such informa-
aion and rendering such aid as may be in his
poweriin determining the various questions
that ariseiin the interest of the state, to the
lend that suitable provision may be made for
the wants of the government in the enact
ment OF proper laws for the guidance and
welfare of the people. I trust may enjoy
your confidence and kind consideration.
Invoking the aid of Him who giveth wis
dom necessary alike to all, and without W hich
we may hope to accomplish but little, under
His guiding hand we may approach the duties
incumbent upon US with reasonable assur-
ance.
In due time the reports of the various state
officers will be laid before you, which will ex-
hibit in detail the operations of the different
departments of the state government for the
biennial term.
Several of these have come into my hands
too late for that study which it is desirable
should be made by one whose duty it is to
write concerning them.
The law which permits state reports to be
printed at so late day, in some instances
not until the legislature meets, affords no
proper opportunity for the executive or peo-
pie to examine the reports or to inteligently
arrange for future legislation.
All of these reports should be in the hands
of the printer not later than the goth Of Au-
gust, and / recommend that the law be
changed accordingly.
State Finances.
Under this head Gov. Fuller gave sum-
mary Of the state treasurer's report which
showed receipts for the two fiscal year end
ing June 30 to be 1926, 294 O4, including
cash on hand July l. 1890, $l17.70S.74. Dis
bursements amounted to $l.05S.956 80; cash
on hand July l. 1892, $197 1897 Is; total re-
sources, 1857 1886 40; total liabilities, $537,-
995.49; funded liabilities, registered state
bonds due 1910, $135.5OO; available balance
for the fiscal year, $42S ,S22.S.
Commissioners of State Taxes.
The legislature of 1890 made a careful re-
vision of the law taxing corporations, the
results of which are fully set forth in the re-
port of the commissioner of state taxes. BY
it will be seen that only one corporation, the
Western Union Telegraph company. serious
Nv objects to the provisions of the law and
has commenced suit in chancery enjoining
the commissioner from enforcing the tax or
penalties, which suit is set for hearing in
December.
do not believe it wise in the midst of ti-
CATION to attempt to disturb or revise the
law, but you may correct with safety the
double deduction of the value of real estate
shown to exist in connection with trust COM
panes.
The amount of taxes assessed for the bien-
NAL term is shown by the report to be as fol-
lows:-
Total taxes assessed against cor
Total license taxes assessed. ........... S,5O6 o.
State Auditor.
Your attention is invited to the report OF
the state auditor concerning the expenses OF
government. Retiring after a faithful service
Of IA years, his suggestions, the result of ripe
experience and keen sense of the needs OF
the state, cannot be lightly passed over. 1t is
your especial privilege, as it is your duty, to
investigate the particular matters to which
he refers with view of reducing the eX.
penses Of government.
The tax paid by the people of Vermont for
the support of local and state government il
felt by many TO be hardship from which
time should bring reasonable relief. The in.
ventory law passed in 1880 was a step i'm adj
vance to secure better returns of property
with greater equality. and an increase in
taxation from the poor to the rich in sensi
BILE degree; but this relief was soon dissipatet
by increased calls, both local and general, up
on the public revenue.
The enactment of the corporation tax law
in 1882 was measure well calculated to raist
the hope that direct state tax would no
much longer be needed, but the increasin,
demands Of the times have gone far beyont
its ability to supply the money necessary TO
state expenses, although it has been revised
until its revenues to the state have near J.
doubled.
There are different WAYS by which a chang
can be effected. We can search for new
sources of revenue, turning the old screw
down little tighter, although this will re
Quire special knowledge and patience, bu
sometimes a well worn thread snaps asunder
Or we can take the short road, which all ca
travel, and which consist in spending les
money. This latter method may not be POP
ular with some. but it will be easier for al
do not advocate neglect of any public inter
est or a course of false economy; indeed
parsimony is sometimes a calamity, in eau,
ing at q later period what then appear to b
extravagant expenditure.
The house of correction Is Of modern type
the prison has been rebuilt, the reform schoc