Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-04-02
PRourYs PLATFORM.
Newport Candidate for Covernorship
Sets Forth His Ideas.

Lleuf-3ov. George ID. Prouty issued
last week the following statement in re-
gard to his position on various matters OF
public interest:
As candidate for the Office OF govern
or of Vermont let me say first, it has al
ways seemed to me that candidate for
that high Office should be very careful not
to arrogate to himself the right to dictate
the party policy. do not at this, or any
other time wish to place myself in any
such position. believe that the duty OF
formulating such policies rests with the
Republican convention, called for that
purpose, as well as to nominate those to
whom shall be intrusted the carrying out
of such policies as may be decided on by
the representatives of the people. While,
therefore, I would not attempt to outline
the platform to be adopted, l do feel that
it is proper that should state my posi-
ton regarding matters OF vital interest to
the public.
PARTY REFORMS ACCOMPLISHED.
The Republican party has been work
ing the past two years along lines similar
to those followed in larger way by the
Roosevelt administration in national
affairs. has instituted measures TO protect
the rights OF the people against encroaoh-
ing corporate interests, has passed laws
preventing discrimination in railroad
rates, has commenced The work OF aboi-
ishing grade crossings and has given the
railroad commission real powers so that
its orders must be obeyed, hes passed
laws opening the books Of corporations
TO inspection of the courts, and instituted
other measures to guard ths rights OF the
people against law breaking corporations.
whether railroads or otherwise. II elect
ed governor, should favor continuing
the policies which have been so well be-
gun and should favor placing all public
corporations, including telephone and
telegraph companies, under the control
and supervision of the state TO such de-
gree would insure and safeguard the
interests and rights of the people.
We have passed school laws which will
be of the greatest benefit to the state.
| believe that there should be no backward
step taken regarding these laws but rath-
er that we should strive to perfect them.
MORE AID FOR GOOD ROADS.
The working of the new highway law
has proved that it was an eminently wise
one. / believe we should not only retain
all its best features but that we should
also endeavor to improve it, always hav-
ing in mind that the building of good
roads is a matter of education and that
only by expert supervision can we sue
coed in our efforts to make our highways
what they should be. The state should
continue the policy of doing all it can
afford to assist in this work, always re-
membering that it is impossible for the
smaller communities to come up to the
highest standard except through the aid
Of the larger communities.
Our penal institutions are today under
the control of men OF great ability, sterl-
ing integrity and wise Judgment, and
great reforms have been brought about
during the past two years but much
still remains to be done and we must con-
tinue along the lines which we are now
following.
JUDICIARY SYSTEM NOT PERFECT.
The increased expense of our courts in
cident to the adoption of the dual system
shows that we have not yet solved the
problem involved in the attempt to reach
the economical yet efficient administra-
ton of justice. / believe that reforms in
the matter of procedure in our courts
should be made along the lines of pre-
venting so much waste OF time by the
lawyers in trying their cases or not try
ing them as the case may be. ! also be-
lieve that change should be made in our
throwing out of court through technical
errors of cases which but for such errors
could be tried. The administration of
justice should be made as simple and in
expensive as possible and while all neces-
sary safeguards should be retained, cases
should not be dismissed because of mere
technicstities.
1 believe too much time is wasted every
session of the legislature in considering
loosely drawn and needless bills. be-
lieve it should be the endeavor of all
those connected with that body to pre-
vent such waste of time. Some improve
ment was made during the last session
but it was not sufficient to remedy the
evil. 1t should be our constant endeavor
TO perfect such rules as will do away with
this difficulty and result in the shorten
ing of the sessions of the legislature,
which are having tendency to become
longer each year.
THE TAXATION PROBLEM.
am fully aware of the inequalities OF
taxation existing in Vermont at the pres
ent time and this is one of the great ques-
tons which must be passed on by the
coming legislature. / believe that the
proper course was taken during the last
session In providing for a commission to
thoroughly investigate cCnultiOHs anu 10
make such report as they thought best
after duly considering all matters
brought to their attention. That com
mission is made up OF men of such great
ability and sound judgment that 1 have
no doubt they will make such recon-
mendations will appeal to the good
judgment of the coming legislature and
that such laws will be passed as will
more nearly equalize the burdens of taxa
tion than at the present time.
Personally, / feel that the greatest diff
Guilty with our system of taxation is nom
taxation. that is those people who have
large amounts of property fail to pay
their just proportion. As the law is to-
day a man owns a small farm which is
visible property and on which he must
pay his full share of taxes. On the other
hand man may be possessed of a million
dollars in stocks and bonds and all he has
to do is to refuse to make an inventory,
in which case the listers may find what
they can and double his list, which may
not amount to hundredth part of what
he 10 I