The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-11-11
MUST GO SLOW
Is WARNING
Vermont Has About Reached
Its Limit
BEFORE STATE TAX COMES
Mr.. Fletcher of the Ways and Means
Committee Cautioned the Legisla-
ture To-day--His Recommen-
dations.
state Honse, Nov. il.

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Allen NJ. Fletcher of Caycndish, chair
man of the ways and means committee
in the House, this morning reported on
the states finances, in connection with
which there have been some differences
of opinion expressed ON the floor Of the
House, especially as to the amount that
might be expected TO be on hand under
normal conditions the first Of July, next
year. Mr. Fletcher's speech was concise
and it clearly defined the financial stu
alton of the state ie said that if the
revenue continues until next July at the
rate expected, without extra calls for
expenditure, there will be in the treas
ury next July about $4,000.
lie stated that his estimate was pre-
dicted on the best information available.
lie stated that the revenue OF the state
had increased greatly during the past
few years by means OF indirect taxation,
but that he believed that the state had
gone just about as far as It could in this
line. He called the Houses attention
to the fact that over 100000 was spent
by the state for cattle killed by reason
OA LNNNiNAANaAhs dittl AlAuN AAAAN ~ HAtEtiAkAA
about one.tenth of the states entire
revenue. He believed the legislature
should give this item its serious consid-
Grafton He just touched upon the object
Of this expenditure enough to show that
it was ineffective in accomplishing its
end.
The following figures on which the
statement of Mr.. Fletcher is largely
based win give an idea Of the conditions.
The total approximate receipts Of the
state up TO the close OF the year ending
July | will be sl.l25000. AT the be-
ginning Of the year there was cash on
hand Of Sls3,000, These two items added
together give the amount available, or
81 sos GOO The expenses of the state
up to july next year are estimated
at about 81 l,l35,000. The expenses sub
tracted from the amount available leaves
a little over $4,000.
He sounded the alarm on the expendi-
ture OF too much money for special pur-
poses. by stating that the treasury
would have only this Sl70,000 next July
for special appropriations, and he under
stood that the appropriations committee
already had bills in its hands calling for
over half million. He remarked that
personally he did not favor a direct tax
on the people at this time to meet eX
penses, and again called attention to the
fact that In his opinion the states reve
nue had been increased TO about the linn
it by means of indirect taxation. He
did not wish 10 advise the legislature
any farther than was his duty as a
member of the committee whose business
it was to make provision for sums to
meet the demands OF the legislative
body
In closing he stated that it was his
personal belief that some radical legis
lation should be taken with reference to
the destruction of cattle killed, either |
to reduce the appraised valuation of cat
tie killed or stop it altogether. MFR. !
Boutwell, Of Stockbridge endorsed the
Of the speaker on the cattle
question, and Mr.. Green of Mddletown
Springs stated that the highest authori
ties had also expressed doubt as to
whether the disease was communicable /
from cattle to human beings
Other business was transacted in the |
House and Senate, but the absorbing |
topic of discussion was the states
finances.
No Raise in Pay For Side Judges.
After killing the bill to raise the pay
Of assistant Judges Of county courts
from three to four dollars per diem, the
House yesterday afternoon adopted four |
resolutions, that the standing commit
tees on military affairs in both houses
ton, (secondly) that relating to the
portrait of Major William
Wells, (thirdly) to establish commits
sion to examine state banks and bank /
laws, and finally to permit the commit
tee on town lines to visit Pawlet to
proposed division of the
town.
The Senate yesterday afternoon pass
ed the House bill removing the death
penalty for making an armed attack
(by three or more persons) for robbery |
or murder motives, making the punish
ment life Imprisonment or not less than
five years, or to be fined $4,000 The |
Senate killed the pure food measure in
troduced by Mr.. Howe of Bennington in
the House, making sellers of bread or
cake wrap their wares in waxed, tissue
or similar paper. The House had pass
ed the bill.
New Bills in House.
Among the new measures presented in
the House to-day was one relating to
holidays, adding October II as Discovery
Day to commemorate the discovery Of
America by Columbus.
BY Mr.. Lavigne of Colchester, to amend
t479 of the statutes, relating to cutting
trees, shrubs and bushes within the
roadway Of railroad. Provides penalty
Il such are not cut in October annu-
ally.
BY Mr.. Davis Of Brighton, relating to
logs in unorganized towns and cores.
BY Mr.. Diyoll Of Rockingham, TO
amend sections 2690 and 269l of the
statutes, relating to legal holidays. Fixes
ian. l, Feb. %, May 80, July 4, Aug.
l6, Sept /, Oct. IL and Dec. 25, and
day as legal holidays.
Aug. Is to be known as Bennington
Battle Day" Sept. l as Labor Day
Ind Oct " as Discovery Day" to com
the discovery Of American by