Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1897-02-26
Sham holders at Vallee Brothers.


VIZ" tulS ISSUE the annual TOWN. re-
port will probably be in the hands OF the
taxpayers, and we hope every one of them
will carefully read the same with the
same care and anxiety that each exam
ines his own affairs, because this is each
ones business. In looking generally at
the leading departments we see that the
road and school expenses have exceeded
the appropriations for those purposes by
more than one thousand dollars. The
appropriation for the use of the Select
men is not exhausted by over $4,000.
Nothing in the report shows what the
town Indebtedness is. What can be seen
| by looking at what can be obtained from
| the reports, shirt factory bonds, surplus
fund, interest, etc, shows that the town
is in debt over $4,000. The Indebtedness
has been increased during the past year
by nearly 5000, and still we are told
that the town has not taken a step
backward. This is consoIing in the
same manner that any man getting
deeper and deeper in debt consoles him
self. Instances are very rare in whic
bankrupts do not find way to figure
themselves all right. Probably it will be
said that we have building on hand
that we haven't considered. This may
be valuable or worthless according to
circumstances. Whatever it may be it
neither gets us out OF debt nor accounts
for the increase of our indebtedness. 1t
in no way excuses the taxpayers from
calling a halt and finding out what the
matter is. The report says that $3.50
on the dollar OF the grand list ought to
meet current expenses the coming year
and pay part of the Indebtedness OF the
town. Ifit ought to why hasn't it? 1t
is suggested that the increase is due to
the tact that some departments have ex-
ceeded their appropriations. 1t is sug-
gested too that we have advantages in
electric lights, sidewalks, new horsesheds,
etc But it will be noticed that these
advantages are furnished by a depart
ment which has not exhausted its appro-
priation. So it is perfectly manifest that
this is no explanation of the cause OF the
increase OF the Indebtedness, and does
not it seems to us furnish any well
grounded hope that with a like appro-
priation this year the indebtedness will
be decreased next year. Now because
the Selectmcn have not exceeded their
appropriation and other departments
have theirs it does not necessarily show
extravaganza in the one or economy Ill
other departments; but until it is i'll
some way shown to the taxpayers that
the departments which have exceeded
their appropriations have encountered
extraordinary conditions OF expense this
year, or that they will be relieved from
some burdens next, what good ground
is there for the hope that the indebted
ness will be decreased the coming year
on the same appropriation |? There is
feeling of delicacy about meddling with
these affairs, but it it is not proper tor
the taxpayer to obtain such information
DIS will enable him to vote intelllgently he
had better not waste day by going to
vote. There is no reason why pubic
funds should not be as carefully guarded
and the persons dispensing them to be
held to a strict accountability as they
are in respect to individual funds. Public
funds are not put into the hands OF men
to use, as almoners do, nor to favor any
body. There is no suggestion that ours
have been used SO that we know OF, but
when the chief officers of the town tell us
that a certain amount ought to accom-
plish certain results and it has not IN as
apparently favorable circumstances 1t is
high time for the taxpayers to inquire
into the reasons of seeming inconsis-
tency. This years report for ciearness
and intelligence is equal and perhaps
superior to those which any town has
furnished in the past, and is suthcient'y
incisive to arouse the town to the neces-
sity of a thorough examination OF the
situation; at the same time we cannot
refrain from saying that no man can tell
from the report the financial standing OF
the town, how much it is in debt, or
what ought to be done to meet the STU
alton. What is specifically referred TO IN
the report, however, makes the inneot-
eduess OF the town over $25ooo' lhere
has been built during the past year three
new bridges. and the expense in that di-
rection will be comparatively small the
horse sheds have been built and taking
everything into consideration, if with
tax of 81 so on the dollar of the grand
list the indebtedness is not reduced at
least one thousand dollars at the close OF
next year somebody ought to have an
ample opportunity for explanation.
l.. NnlIaa D.o