The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-12-10
DEBATE ON TAXATION.
Continued from first pngs,


the basis OF taxation should DO the abil-
ity 10 pay.
Mr.. Davis of Springfield said, as a list
er In his own town, he believed the sys-
tenn Of offsets was wrong, and he gave
an example of taxation in Springfield to
show that II offsets were abolished it
would eventually work 20 the interest
OF the farmer by reducing the tax rate
itself in the town.
The bill was not without opposition by
any means, and it found two strong OPP
ponents in the next two speakers. Mr..
Locklin Of Richford believed its passage
would drive industries from the state.
He said that these small corporations
were the life Of the communities in which
they operated and were feeding and EN-.
pIoytng large number Of people. He
thought they were taxed plenty at the
present time and II offsets were abolished
he figured that they had four separate
doses. Vermont, be said, was full OF
these corporations that should not be
overridden by taxes.
Mr.. Bacon OF Hartford said that the
cry before the legislature Of 1905 was
relief from the burdens of double taxa.
ton. He didn't believe doing away with
offsets would relieve the people in this
respect. He said he honestly believed
in the principle OF offsets, If honestly
operated and enforced He didn't believe
in taxing men except on that which
they owned. He believed a strong super
vision over the listers would accomplish
the result desired by the state without
taxing for debts really owing.
Mr.. Leary of Burlington also opposed
the bill, believing that it was apparently
a good business measure for the state.
as 1t meant increasing the grand list
several millions. He thought it would
be difficult to draw business and indus
tries 20 Vermont. so far removed from
the eenters of consumption, that II would
work to the disadvantage and loss of the
cities and towns trying to get new bust
ness. He said the commissioner Of taxes
knew where the offsets were and knew
what they amounted TO and therefore
proper enforcement Of the present law
would bring about good results.
Mr. Miller of Guilford. who has not
spoken In the House much before, dem
onstrated that when he did speak he had
something to say. He divided the House
into two classes, representatives OF small
towns and large towns. lie proved that
the passage oil the measure which did
away with offsets would mean relief to
the small towns. He said the bulk Of
the offsets was in the large places Of the
state. the passage OF the measure would
mean increasing the state grand list $780,
900, and that the small towns would
get their proportion Of tho highway and
school money. He believed the small
towns owed thanks to the large places
which relieved their burdens.
Mr.. Brennan of Fairfield asked if there
would be d real gain from tax on in
tangihles and from the tax on property
now Offset after the expenses Of the su-
pervisorv commission had been paid Mr.
Fish Of Yergennes took up The question
Of the tax on intangihles and the tax
commission in q very able manner. He
figured chat the low rate ON intangihles
would draw cut d large amount OF prop
erfy in stocks, bonds and notes when a
fair system Of taxation was presented
All To the commission the cost would not
be greet. The committee figured on
salary of $500 for the chairman and
III 500 apiece for two other commission
ars and had recommended necessary clerk |
hire to carry out the purposes Of the |
bill.
Mr.. TiIden of Mortified spoke III the |
interest Of the small farmer and figured |
hat the proposed measure would make |
ii harder for the small farmer He said !
past legislatures had exempted from tax |
alton certain amounts of deposits BY d |
1erson in the savings banks. In 1904
.hey allowed The sum Of Ri 500 to be |
exempt and iii 1906 they raised the /
amount to $1,000 and took off all re- |
strictions a. to the number 81 banks in /
which the wealth could be distributed to I
his amount He believed that II the
present proposed measures were passed II /
would be hard to borrow money from
he savings banks at d low rate of in.
crest.
Mr.. Williams Of Newport said that
ie believed the borrowing of money /
would BE- controlled by the law OF supply |
md demand and that Ii could be Dor
owed from individuals at q lower rate
If interest by reason Of the changes |
made by the operation OF the proposed /
Mr.. Harding Of NeFshire as
small town favored the bill.
Mr. Howe of ST. johnsbury said he
believed the safest course TO foilow was
I'D recommendations Of the commission
which vent into the subject thoroughly. /
Re thought the state ought to throw
Town its old dintfoek gun and at least
~ the new Winchester repeater.
Mr.. Fletcher OF Cavendish, as a mem
yer oil the legislature Of 1905. said that /
lody passed the savings bank bin men
Toned by the gentleman from Mortified /
o invite capital invested out Of the state
o come home. lie favored the doing
way with offsets because he believed II
o be fundamentally right and because
e believed It to be to the interest Of
he state.
Mr. Gocdell Of Nottingham told story
0 show that it does not always work
o the INJURY Of a legislator to VOTE IS
e believes Z for the interest Of his con
tituenis. even though he does net reflect
BE sentiment Of hts ecastients at the
inc He favored the tiIi.
Mr.. Barber Of Bfattlebsro said be be-