Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-10-07
about the statue of Ceres on the dome can
be seen for miles.
Inauguration Day.
Gov. Smiths MessaRe---A Novel Method
of Taxation PrOpOsed---Good Roads.
Thursdav Opt q

OF Taxation PrOpOsed---GOOd Roads.
Thursday, Oct. g.
Little business was transacted today in
either house. 1t was Inauguration day,
and other matters were allowed to go over
until the committees are appointed. There
are several bills waiting tc be hurled at
the house as soon as it is in shape to re-
ceve them. Some of the members are
like frisky colts in harness tugging away.
Most of these are new men anxious to
make name, but if they take Speaker
Haskins's sound advice they will "hold
their horses" for awhile.
The senate and house met in Joint as
sembly at 10:30 in the morning to listen
to the farewell message of Gov. Grout. 1t
was delivered promptly at II and occupied
an hour and Is minutes in reading. An
abstract is given on another page.
The Inauguration of Gov. Smith took
place at 2:15. The governor-elect and
Gov. Grout entered the assembly chamber
arm in arm. The oath of Office was ad-
minstered by Judge Start.
After subscribing to the oath and being
congratulated by ex-Gov. Grout and Judge
Start Gov. Smith was escorted to the
speakers chair and began his inaugural.
he read from manuscript. In opening
his address Gov. Smith seconded in a gen.
eral way all the recommendations of his
predecessor, and then took up two subjects
in very thorough manner. These were
"expenses and revenue" and "good roads,"
The message closed with a word of praise
for the Vermont troops.
On the subject of "revenue and ex-
penses" Gov. Smith introduced a subject
that has aroused much discussion, princi-
pally because of its newness.
He said substantially there are two ways
to have balance on the right side of the
ledger. One is to cut expenses the other
is to raise more revenue. He thought ex-
penses could not be cut, as they are now
as low as is consistent with good results.
A dollar is made to go farther in Vermont
than in any other state in the Union.
The state revenue is now collected in
two ways, one by corporation tax, the
other by tax paid by the people. The
corporation tax is about $3.50, 200 and the
tax on the people $4,000. He would not
increase the tax on the people, but would
rather have it eliminated; neither would
he have the tax on corporations raised, as
they are probably now paying more than
their share. He would devise another
plan, which was this: He would endeavor
to encOuraoe the rasidanpa in this state Of
those men who are forced out of other
states by legislation in the shape of inher-
itance taxes, income taxes and other taxes,
just or unjust.
He would favor making this state a
harbor for such men. He would say to
them: We will make a contract with you
for 80 years; during this time you shall
pay the state a certain amount of money.
No questions will be asked or prying be
done by the listers during that time. This
tax must, however, be not less than 500
a year each. Gov. Smith covered this sub
ject in detail.
The message next discussed the subject
of good roads with great thoroughness.
Gov. Smith favors the establishment of
commission and the construction of state
roads on the plan now in use in Massachu-
sets.
The reading of the message occupied
less than an hour. When it was finished
the legislature adjourned until Monday.
Meantime Speaker Haskins will make up
his committees.