St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-06-27


State. Beyond that, however, 1 wish to
avail myself of this opportunity to express
my personal views upon some questions
of public policy.
Our Legislature and judiciary have al
ways been remarkably free from the
least suspicion of corruption. No State
has had a cleaner record. Though charges
have recently been made of corruption
and eXtravagances in the administration
of our State institutions and the general
management of the States business, a
most complete. careful and impartial in
vestigation of them has failed to find the
least so-called graft" or misappropria-
ton of funds, but for the most part dis
closes business-like and economical ad-
minstration. In one institution a great
and ineXcusable lack of discipline was re-
vealed. Every one directly or indirectly
responsible for that should be promptly
punished to the full extent of the law 1
am sure that all true Vermonters are of
one accord regarding this. If extravaganza
or poor management exists anywhere it
should be corrected at once and I believe
it is the duty Of the governor at all times
to assume full authority within the limits
of the law, for the correction of such
abuses in executive and administr' tive
channels. If elected governor so far as
lies within my power the business inter-
ests of the State shall be conducted upon
up-to-date business principles. Her in
situations, for example, should buy their
supplies as cheap or cheaper than any in
dividual of corporations. and 1 should en-
deavor to see that they did.
Our expenses to be sure have increased;
but that is because the number, extent
and scope of the activities of the State
for her people have increased. If we
expect to hold our own with other States,
keep our people at home and draw
strangers to our borders, we must keep
well abreast of the progress of the age.
We cannot mark time; that means falling
behind, for others are surely advancing
Instead of making less progress we should
make more in the future but let it be
along the line of a practical and conserva-
tive expansion rather than any radical
Innovation or parsimonous retrenchment.
Much has been said about the poor con-
dition of our highways. In some sections
many Of them are not good and some are
very bad. They can and should be bet
ter. We are all agreed regarding that
But in our effort to improve them we
ought not to be led into higher taxation
or a State debt. I am strongly opposed
to issuing a State bond for the purpose
of building State highways. The condition
of our highways at the present time is
not bad enough nor the practical advant-
ages to be derived from expensive high
ways great enough to warrant loading
upon the State debt nor is it good bust
ness to mortgage in advance what some
one simply claims can be saved in the ad-
minstration of our State Institutions
Each proposition should stand by itself
We shoulA not deceive ourselves by I'M
dertaking any policy with respect to
State roads which is not otherwise war
ranted and which in ITSELF Independent of
any question of saving in our State insti-
tutions, we should not be willing to I'M
dertake
We are a rural community. Our eli
mate, grades, soil and other natural con-
ditions are such that we have much to
contend with, and taxation must not be
made excessively burdensome. We have
started right and during the past ten
years there has been progress, in some
communities very marked. The present
State highway tax by which the large
towns in effect contribute some part of
their direct highway money to the smaller
towns is right in principle, but the method
Of expanding it should and must be decid-
eddy improved. 1t should continue to be
by each town but it's expendt-
lure should be under much more complete
and rigid supervision and in accordance
With more strictly enforced uniform plan
'or permanent construction upon roads
n the different towns which form parts
If selected through highways. State roads
should be gradually created out of the
State highway money Every dollar Of it
should be located and expended under
State supervision, but it is impossible for
me man to properly supervise the expend-
ture of over one hundred thousand dollars
distributed annually in small amounts
every town in the State The |
state commissioner should give his entire |
ime to outlining the work and to it's gen.
raj supervision, and there should be SUI
designate where the State fund should be |
expended in each town and closely super |
Use it's expenditure.
AS the method of expendng the State |
highway fund is improved the State might |
veil add to that fund in so far as that |
an be prudently done without the crea- |
ion of State debt or the levying of a |
irect State tax. The last two biennial |
erms we have been without direct tax
nd we can and should continue this pol
y. We should so adjust our expenditures
nd revenues and in every department of
le State government practice such econ
my that this will be come fixed policy
eason why we should not steadily and
urely move forward in every line of
rogress that tends to make a better, more
seful and contented people. Let us
,op unjust and unmeaning scolding about
lie past; cease apologizing for our pres
1t condition, and instead cheerfully and
'oudly recognize and take every advan-
ge of these resources and opportunities
Id unitedly strive for and achieve those
lings that make Vermont better for YER
onters. Our thought and effort should
'imarily be directed to the accomplish
ent of such things as will to the great
It degree improve the condition of the
en-, women and children who are to-day
and wintering in Vermont. If
e first make Vermont the best possible
ace to live in our people will quickly
cognize this fact and stay at home and