Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1896-09-25
Our State ENnenSes.

~ AlfNANcNs III AAN cNhAN Va
Vermont rose To Si6I ,O49 in 1894 as
compared with $3.50, 1873 in 1882 and
the amount raised by taxation increased ,
to $3.50, 1924 as against Sass SOP in 1882. =
During those years there has been lex
cept in about a bakers dozen OF the
larger toSnsl a constant loss of popula- ,
ton and a constant decline in values. In (,
other words, Vermont farmers, who con- |
stitute the mass of our population, have
been becoming fewer and poorer.
There is a universal demand of thc in-
coming Legislature that it reduce the
burden under which the people are groar-
ing.
One of the largest items in the current
expenses of the State is the care of the
insane.
In 1882, when all the insane was sent
to the Brattleboro asylum, the expense
was S37,1S9 In 1894 it was $50, 9O2,
or more than double.
In 1882 the State cared for CSC insane
patients. In 1891 the number was 573.
This enormous increase in number and
cost was the result, chiefly if not alto
gether, of the change in the State law
by which the support OF the insane poor
was thrown wholly upon the State.
In his report for 1890 the State Audi
tor said:
Since the change in the law by which the
support OF the insane poor was thrown upon
the state, the bills allowed to the Vermont
asylum for the insane have more than doub-
| led, the sum allowed for this year being
S72.697, whereas the last account prior to
the change was S36,23l. comparison OF
| the accounts will show a constant increase
| in insanity, but it is unquestionably true-as
the result has been in every instance where "a
| town or county expense has been thrown
upon the Statc-that the burden itself has
increased through the change III the la
| When an expense formerly borne by towns
is visited upon the State, each town will
naturally strive to itself as well served as
| its nci%hbur from the common fund. The
tendency now is to crowd the asylum. while,
| when the towns bore that expense, every
| patient that could be safely kept at home and
| at an expense less than the charge at the
| asylum, was supported outside. This change
/ prtCIpItated the state of things out OF which
| grew the demand Tor a new asylum.
men, with no attempt to lessen the
number of insane patients and the ex.
pense of their care by a modification OF
the law-with no attempt to obtain a
Judicial decision as to the States rights
in the Brattleboro asylum-the asylum
at Waterbury was built.
1t is OF course too late to recall the e1.
pense incurred in the Waterbury asylum
But is it not too late to change the law
and return to the old system or to com
pei the towns to pay a fair share OF th'
expense.
A tremendous item is that of court ex.
penses. The net cost of the Vermont
courts was $4S, AGA in 1882; $39,67+ il
1888 and $40 ,653 in 1884.
In 1892 it was $7S,295; in 1893 il
was $97 1876; in 1894 it was SS3,6S3.
For the first three wears named TIN
cost was $137,SS1; for the last three j
was $259, 913, or nearly double. What il
the cause of this enormous increase:
Legislative generosity, OF course.
In 1856 and 1888 the legislature in tn,
lberality of its heart passed laws givinl
litigants the following tribunals abso
> lutely free of cost: Masters appointed
by the court of chancery, auditors il
book account actions, commissioners t
take disclosure of trustees, commissioner
= in probate appeals, and commissioners t,
i establish or discontinue highways.
The full expense of these tribunals hal
previously been borne by the litigants
but since the legislation we have spoke
u OF, the State has paid hetreight" in full
The result is an enormous increase i
" court expenses. A tribunal that is absc
lutcly free is a great provocative otlitiga
u ton, and itigious Vermonters hay
; awaited themselves of their privileges t
. the fullest extent. Indeed, We are assure
\ that this legislation was adopted at til
instance of combination of the starv,
ling young lawyers of the State VIII
y thought, with reason, that it woul
y bring a plentiful grist to their MILL
u The legislature will do well to retur
to the old system.
:, The salary list aggregates $51 GIL pc
y annum. The item of official expenses
> foot up $4S47 yearly.
The expenses of he State commission
rose from $415S in 1882, to $IS,5O1 i
IL 1894. Of the $415S in 1882, $25S
went to the State Board of Agricultur,
The cost of that board i'll 1894 wa
y 5000. Have the agricultural interest
y of the State been benefited proportion
ately? The cost of the Fish commssio
rose from the modest sum Of $500 i
II 1882 to $2,212 i'll 1894. Have the pee
' pie of the State received correspondent
~ benefit? Even the microscopic office {
" State Geologist came in for handsonl
" proportionate share of the proceed,
The Office cost the State $451 in 1888
y and $611 in 1894. Is our geological sy.
II TEN that much better oft?
And so it goes, all along the line.
= How has it come about, this enormor
3 increase in our state expenses since 1882
y The answer is very easy. The causes al
Just two in number: First, the adoptio
" of the corporation tax system; secont
u the development of the communist
{ spirit which calls upon the state to reg,
late all our affairs and pay all expenses.
When the corporation tax law wa