Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-10-11

ike Incense Ice.
one of the greatest difficulties Is thu
lack of consideration shown by some driv
ers of automobiles when they meet horse
unaccustomed TO them. 1t will be i'm
possible for you to frame any law whc
will make people thoughtful as,d con
sidorate, but you should consider whethe
the rules of the road for automobiles cal
in any way be improved so that the con
duct Of the few thoughtless may b'
made to conform more closely to th'
action which the courtesy of most PEG
pie naturally suggests.
GRADE CROSSINGS.
The crossing of railroads and high
ways at grade is fraught with DANCE
under the most favorable circumstance
As the frequency and speed of ira
service has increased the danger both I'd
those using the railroads and the high
ways has likewise increased The re
ports Of the railroad commissioners show
that during the ten years from 1894 Il
1904 there were ope hundred accident
at grade crossings In the State of Yer
mont by which fifty persons were killed
and fifty others more or less seriousl
injured
1t would have been practically imposs
Bile to build them without grade cross
ings; but TOW they should be gradually
removed. The life and safety of our PEG
pie are involved in this important ques
ton. 1t is receiving serious attention il
all of our sister States. In Massachu
cts from 1890 to 1905 inclusive Their,
was eNpople1 for the removal Of grad,
faFt Nrf Vts4 n Il.
roads paid s4,721, $500 the State sG,42o,
Gyia3, and the cities or towns $3,129 $50 "a I
Our statutes provide that the railroad
commissioners may under certain condi
lions order the removal of grade cross
!hgs bat the law is only permissory iil
character and but little progress is beiu!
made in that direction. The time had
come when Vermont should recognize
this great and increasing danger to he |
people and provide for the gradual com
pulsory adjustment OF these grade cross
t,gs. Connecticut has such a .aw. w
cannot expect to make rapid progress IL
their removal; but must be conservative
so as not to burden unduly either ou4
people or the railroad companies.
There should continue to be, as a |
present, a provision for n fair divisios
of the expense between the railroad COM
pany and the town or city in which the|
crossing is located. The State, as is sd
generally done elsewhere, may we'll conf
tribute something, to be carefully limit
ed by law, to this Improvement Of oud
highways and to the greater safety OF
our people. The number of crossings I'd
be removed in any year should be specified
ally limited. Instead of the limitation
under the present permissory system|
contained ia V. s. 3S42, to the removal
of not more than one a year in any ond
county on any one railroad, I suggest
that a more reasonable basis for thd
railroads themselves and for all con1
cerned would be a limitation based upon
the mileage of the railroad. The law
might require, for example, that therd
should be one grade crossing removed
each year for every specified number OF
miles which a railroad operates in the
State.
CONCLUSION.
| I cannot urge upon you too strongly
the importance of taking up your worl,
promptly and actively. Many Of you ard
strangers to each other and new to tha
work before you. These reasons and
many others tend to delay the progress!
of the important work of the session
! Unnecessary and even perJcious law!
are sometimes enacted, worthy and need.
full legislation is sometimes defeated
and all legislation is often unduly COT,
sidered because wasted time early in thd
session compes haste at it's end All i'm.
portant legislation, such as that pertain-
ing to education, highways. taxation
courts and State institutions, should be
introduced and considered early in the
session You can do the State no greater
service than to actively take up your
important work at once
You should examine all special bills
and special appropriations with great
care. None should meet your approva.
until they have been shown TO be worthy
and necessary. The danger is far greater
from too much than from too little legis-
lation. The people OF the State expect
you to keep your appropriations within
the limits of the strictest economy con-
sstent with the performance of the full
duty OF the State to all her people. Fol
four years We have been without a direct
tax for the support of the State gov.
eminent, This should be our fixed policy
With this In view you should SO adius
the States income ard expenditures a.
to make a return TO a direct tax unneces
sary.
AS you enter upon your duties as tn,
chosen representatives. Of the freemen O.
Vermont you may well recall the worthy
record OF those who have preceded yol
in these halls, and the patriotic service
of Nermorters at homo and abroad, n
war and in peace. Vermonters may wei,
take pride IN this past and in the un.
eXce,led achievements of those who have
borne our name. Let not this thought
however, be a satisfying one; its true
purpose and effect should be to arouse
and stimulate you to so serve your State
to so legislate at this session, that Yer,
mont in all respects may take and hold
her rishtful position in that grand marcr
of progress which the twentieth century
is to-day witnessing throughout our great
country.
FLETCHER D. PROCTOR.
| Montpelier, October 4. 1906.
! The message took an hour and five min
utes for its delivery. Telling points In the
message We're greeted with applause and
! there We're renewed cheers on its compile
| tior. a strong message from a strong gov
ernor was the universal verdict.
/ Following the joint assembly this after
r,oOn the Senate reconvened and Lieut..
Gov. c. II. Prouty took the oath of Of
/ fee. on taking the chair Lieut. Gov.
! Prouty said; Senators, ! fully apprs-
O.,