Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-11-03

source before il can be drawn upon,
and every draft requires a correspond
ing increase from some quarter to
meet it. And the only method by
which it can be supplied is taxation
the actual paying in Of money by the
property holders OF the state 1t
really seems necessary to allude to
this, inasmuch as some OF our law
makers appear TO be utterly uncon-
scious OF it, and TO think that their
sole duty is to devise means Tor divert
ing the flow OF gold from an exhaust
less source so that it will serve partic-
ular projects or persons that they are
interested in.
State expenditures have increased of
la'e by leaps and bounds. In the last
biennial period they rose nearly $780,
600. Facing these figures. it would
seem incumbent to consider most care
fully any and all projects advanced at
this time to still further augment
them. The fact that indirect taxation
through corporations and collateral
inheritauces-has been sufficient to
meet the burden the past two years
does not in the least absolye our law
makers, no more than does the provi-
Dental receipt of $3.50, 600 from the
federal goyernment-som ething that
cannot be counted upon again. At the
present rate it is only a question Of a
short time when, despite the heavy
revenue from corporation taxes, the
state win find itself under the neces-
sity of raising a direct tax once more
And altogether without excuse.
The present system should be sufficient
for all proper needs.
1t is so easy to spend; so hard to
save. How smoothly new offices or
commissions are created how difficult
10 abolish them How easy to in
crease yearly appropriation; how
almost impossible to reduce il The
poor state is mark. Legislators lack
all modesty in suggesting schemes to
mulct it. Nobody seems so careful to
guard it as to serve outside interests
that hope to realize from its Golfers.
II a college or school needs a new
building and cannot afford it, apply to
the state. II a town wants aid for its
highways, present the claim to the
state. If somebody has a doubtful bill
for services that the auditor wouldn't
pass, carry it up TO the legislature.
II a public officer learns that some
other state pays a larger salary than
Vermont, by all means let the case be
presented to the lawmakers, whose
judgment is always tempered by gen
erosity- the kind that is over-iree with
money not their own.
In debate last week one Of the rep
resentatives, arguing for the 500, 900
agricultural building, said True econ
omy consists not in saving. but in
spending wisely II sounded well at
the time, but in that very phrase lies
the secret of much of the tremendous
increase in our state expenses. The
legislator errs who only asks, lis this /.
a wise outlay ?" II is not the business
of government to raise money by taxa
ton to be spent according to this rule |
Many plans could be suggested that
would answer this test, but following
them would load the state with a bur
den il could not bear. The rule that ]
would govern an individual in his pri- 4
vate affairs is not the rule for servants |
of the public TO observe in voting away |
the money wrung torcibly by taxation
from the people. The legislator in
stead should determine not to vote one |
dollar that he is not firmly convinced |
will be better invested under the plan |
for the benefit of every tax
payer than it would be if lett to that
taxpayers own use, as 1t would be if |
not so expended. This, rather than
the other, is "true economy" Of pub |
Tic nature.
As to the specific objects proposed, |
we have nothing to say. Doubtless
good reasons can and will be urged Tor
all OF them. Some are unusual. all !
are unnecessary. What we object to
is the seeming forgetfulness of two |
facts LIST, that the money voted must
be raised by taxation I'd, that a gen. !
eral and undoubted public benefit
reaching the whole mass of the people
must result.