Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-07-05

a change Is made In the coming Legisla-
ture, we trust that In the election of
Underhill as bettered $72539.
As a matter OF fact there Is no rea-
son why the larger towns and cities
should be bled in this way, for they
owe large sums, while most Of the
smaller towns are free OF debt; and
the larger towns and cities are in an
aggregate otherwise taxed more heavi-
ly than are the smaller ones.
STATE HIGHWAYS.
we urge that all money raised for the
state highways be expended by COM
petent and trained officer, upon the prln-
cpal highways in the State, in such
manner as to make all such work perma-
ncnt.
LICENSE LOCAL OPTION LAW.
This has won the respect Of its enemies.
1t is in fact an excellent educator Its en-
forcement has been much easier than was
the antiquated prohibtory law. But we
eplore the refusal of the Republican party
to allow each town and city to elect their
license commissioners TO recommend the
| epeal of the act OF 1901 and the enactment
of another law giving to the towns the
choice of license commissioners.
We recommend the prosecuting officers
for their activity in the execution of the
law.
JUDICIARY.
| Judges the minority will not he forgotten.
We also advocate the passage of a stat
| ute declaring that no member of the Leg
| islature shall be eligible to any office,
executive or judicial, during the term of
which he is elected.
NO MONEY UNLESS EXPRESSLY APP
PROPRIATED
| For years the officers of this State have
been expending money without legal right.
Section L., Chapter 2, of the Vermont con-
ttution reads: mo money shall be dra wn
out of the treasury unless first appropri-
ated by act of legislature"
| We contend that the coming Legisla-
ture ought to fix the sum to be given
each institution, commission, or executive
body We commend the work done by the
auditor of accounts in the direction sug-
gcsted
|
this provision OF the Vermont constitu-
tion, chapter >. section %: Whenever an
office through Increase of fees, or other
wise becomes so profitable as to occasion
many to apply for it, the profit ought to
be lossened by tho legislature
John a. Page when treasurer of Ncr-
mont in 1861 to 1S65 had $500 year. 1t is
now s.. 10000 and clerk hire. Tho secretary
lac
airy. 1t is now $1,000. The salaries of
most of the offices have been greatly in
creased.
These salaries are higher in Vermont in
proportion than they are elsewhere. and
the coming Legislature should examine
this matter carefully and revise the sal
airy list.
Every Legislature regularly lncrea SEES
the number of public offices and secures
workers in nearly every town in the state
From only fourteen such public Offices
in 1870. there are now nearly two hundred
of them.
LABOR LAWS
We urge upon the coming Legislature
to repeal sections 5o4l and 500 as they
punish severely workmen for conspiring
but do not punish employer If the stat
ute is to remain, We urge that it be
amended as to apply to employers also
We urge the passag" of suitable legisla-
ton to protect the labor of children and
women, limiting age and hours of labor
FEE SYSTEM.
We recommend the adjustment of fees
in all public offices and the payment OF
a salary in lieu thereof
SALARIES AND INCREASED EN-
PENSES
II the management &C the State gov
eminent continues under the few men
who absolutely contro public Offices and
appointments, we caunct look for any
lessening of public expenses. They are in
proportion to our population and wealth
very heavy and are constantly increasing
They will increase until some strong
business man takes tho governorship.
Public appointments are also increas-
ing.
| SCHOOLS
The public schools must be kept to
the highest standard, a. Il compulsory at
tendance must be obtained
CAUCUS LAW.
The present law is unwlse if not UNI
constitutional. 1t was framed in a par
tisan spirit to obtain a partisan end. We
recommend its prompt repeal.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
| The two last persons hung in Vermont
were women. Man after man, who had
been duly convicted of murder. received
a communication of sentence. We say III,
law If 1t Is TO be enforced should be
equally enforced on both men and women
| Mary Rogers did not die in vain if her
death upon the gallows tesults in the re-
peal of this law OF the dark ages. II
the law is suitable, then let all execu-
lions be public.
We urge the repeal of the present Law
of capital punishment. We recommend
that the power OF pardon be vested in
the supreme court.
| Soon after the resolutions had beer
adopted Mr.. Clement made his appear
ance. lie was received with cheers
| In iutro1nciDn him ~ 4,