Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-02-20

brought to the attention OF the people:
and We have been Indifferent and per-
haps negligent. You can assign any cause
you have mind tO.-the result Is there
and cannot be disputed.
DECREASE IN MARKET VALUES.
Now while the expenses of operating tbs
state government have been increasing
l2o per cent. in the last 30 years what has
been the course of all values? Vaues
during that time have decreased In some
cases more than 90 per cent. A farm.
which in 1870 was worth $4,000. can he
bought today for $1,000 and farm prop
erty generally throughout the state has
decreased in value tremendously. Tic
values OF 1870 were inflated values We
had not at that time gotten over the war
prices for things, but suppose that instead
of increasing our annual state expenses
hundreds of thousands Of dollars / { an-
num- we had held them where they were
or had voted the money which We have
equandered. for permanent improvements.
In the 80 years we would have built more
permanent roadways than any state in
the Union now has. If that had been
done do you suppose for one moment that
our farms and other property would sell
at the low PRICE i now sells for? Do
n single abandoned farm in all Vermont.
II We had spent in the last 30 years ST.
WO,O0O In permanent rOadways? Vermont
would be grdironcd with beautiful roads,
and believe thai instead of depreciation
in values the old high values of Wa,
times would have been practically main
tanned; but 1t is useless to surmise what
would have been. except as 1t may guide
US in the future.
+ NATIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR
GOOD ROADS PROPOSED.
! noticed the other day that bill has
been introduced into both houses of Con:
gress, appropriating $24,0o0,OO0 toward
try. The income of the country is i'm
mense and the ability to pay Is larger
than that of any other country In the
%e 50 for say II wG to ad Ss ass
no doubt but that within a short time
such an appropriation will pass.
The present bill provides that Vermont
contributes as much more toward tho
ready " 70 have that $4,000. We csn c On:
roads without really costing us a cent;
that Is, we can save 1t from our present
expenses. 1t takes time and 1t takes a
large plant to construct works of such
magnitude economically. Let us start
now and not be behind our neighbors.
WHAT. OTHER STATES HAVE DONE.
New Jersey has spent more than $780,
600. and has 1000 miles built and under
contract.
Connecticut has spent sa,5OO,O0O.
Massa chusetts s., OOO, 000
New York $4,OO0,00O
And In order to begin let the matter be
discussed at home and In the stores and
In all places where men meet, and then
send your men to Montpelier charged
with duty. Tell them what you want
and the rest will be an easy matter to
work out.
NO STATE TAX LEVIED IN 1867.
In the year 1900 I told the legislature
that no state tax was necessary, but they
did not believe 1t. In the campaign Of
1902 ! called that fact to the attention Of
the people, and IN the very next session
of the legislature for the first time in the
history of Vermont the Legislature did
not levy state tax. 1 presume that tho
politicians will say that my feeble re-
marks have nothing to do with their &C.
is mighty strange thing that the lesis-
lature should have gone on for the last 30
years, raising lot of money that the
state did not need and spending II, and
then suddenly conclude that a state tax
was unnecessary for the first time In 1902.
Whatever the reason was for that action
It was good and ]. as n Vermonter. am
glad to be relieved of my portion of that
gering under for the last 20 years.
| am not criticising particularly the
legislature Of Vermont. nor the delegates
TO Republican conventions. The fault lies
back Of all that. 1t rests with the people.
and II is to the people that ] appeal, and
It II from the people that relief must
come. II 1t comes at ALL
The conventions were made up of Soc I
men, but men charged with nothing and
they did nothing.
The legislatures have been made up of
good men. but men going to Montpelier
with no particular object in view. The
trouble lies back of the convention and
the Legislature. 1t lies with the people
Of the state II We want things changed
We have got to take hold of these matters
and instruct our legislators what we
want. and you Need have no fears of the
result