The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1904-10-06
TWO MESSAGES,
GOV. McCULLOUGHS
AND GOV. BELLS

State are here assembled: and that ne
are united in the determination that the
best laws should be enacted and that nm
wise laws should be repealed.
Trusting IN an oYer-ruling providence
that guides the affairs of States and
shapes our destinies, may we each realize
the necessity OF acting well and wisely
our part for the greatest good Of all our
people.
Taxation.
The question OF taxation IS one OF the
most important matters to be considered
at this session
We are trying to improve the condi-
tion Of our State along all lines. For
such Improvements every one should be
willing TO pay just proportion All
property should be made to pay taxes
according 70 its productive valuation.
We should avoid double taxation and all
property both real ana personal, should
be made 70 pay its share.
When We legislate to exempt any
property or class OF values from taxation
it becomes a different matter to frame
just laws. When all property is equit-
ably taxed and there are no exemptions
whatever, then laws are and can be made
more simple and effective.
IA past years many million dollars
worth Of property largely in the form Of
lumber has been taken from our hills and
mountains into market without taxation.
thereby depriying our State Of enormous
values without a just return. The only
thing left in such instances is denuded
land tracts and depleted streams.
| am in favor Of a law whereby no pro-
perty, real on personal, shall be exempt
from its proper levy for the support Of
the public treasury.
Schools.
we have improved our laws consid-
ABLY in the last few years in regard to
the public schools
The report of the superintendent of
education, which you viii have before
you, shows that the average paid our
teachers during the last two years has
considerably increased. While the in
crease u small, it proves that the tenden.
cy is steadily in the direction Of more
competent instruction in our common
schools
ln view of the widely scattered condi-
tion of Our rural communities, / am Of
the opiuion that it would be step in
the right direction for many towns to
look toward a central school to which
an pupils can be brought, thus making ii
possible to give them the benefits OF The
better educational advantages thus al
fofded Mt slight increase of cost. The
added advantage Of such educational Ia
eilities at home where the pupil while
obtaining them can remain Within the
circle of home influence and restraint
would, | believe, be 4 guarantee Of the
best results. iii such 4 school, with So
much OF nature all about, the science Of
agriculture should be prominently taught
il order that Che pupil may better under
stand the deeper meaning and influence
Of home environments and advantages.
In other States where this course has
been pursued the results have been most
satisfactory, / am mindful Of our some
what strenuous weather during the win
ter months, but slight readiustment Of
the school year, 70 make the vacation
III summer shorter and in the winter
longer, would remove much of the OBJ
lection to this plan.
Better Highways,
The roads az Vermont have been great
lly improved under our present laws.
The report OF the State highways com
missioner viii inform you fully Of this.
Important work
| believe il government aid in road
building. Il is certainly reasonable for
/ file general government, while doing SO
Imnch IN the argeF towns BY way Of pub
&c buildings and public works to do
something that viii benefit large and
small towns alike IN the way Of road i'm
lpFoyements
Nermont's highways should be SO con-
structed and maintained as to not only
facilitate business, but also to add to the
health and pleasure Of those who chance
IL use them.
The roads have been built, paid for and
maintained for the use and convenience
| of the traveller, whether on foot OF in
tean In keeping up with the wonderful
inventions OF the age, we should legislate
so that the roads be kept safe for all. At
present this is not the case.
Would it not be wen to restrict the
lautomobile to few roads and trunk
| lines, when possible, reserying some and
The winding narrow hill roads for the ex-
elusive use Of teamsg This would re
move one source Of danger.
4
/ | would recommend some system Of
| highway supervision, requiring license
| for the automobile that it be numbered
| for Identification restrained in rate Of
speed and restricted to the freedom of
Icertain thoroughfares which could be SO
lpiainly marked that whoever runs may
Tread and understand.
| am III favor OF some law covering the
better care of roadside environments OBJ
structien, bushes and unsightly weeds
should be destroyed for they become an
loffence. Let the trees remain; the shade
/ tree by the highway should be regarded
the personal friend Of every traveller for
/ it helps to make his journey more pleas
liant. We should have laws in regard to
these matters and they should be strictly
lenfoIeed.
would make a law forbidding the Gus
tom of making bridges and highway
fences billboards for The free advertising
of an sorts Of wares. In a chance trip
/ FOR instance across the country II is Of
| ten matter OF considerable doubt indg-
ling by The nature of the placards Just
| lwhat a certain farmers specialties are
potatoes or soap and patent medicine.
State Institutions.
The proper conduct Of the various pub
4 lie institutions Of the State should be
the pride Of every loyal citizen
1 have recently Ind the pleasure Of
t ,Yta;fsnn fhoea institutions an n tnt1l M