Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-10-15
GOVERNOR PROCTOR's vALEDIC-
TORY

Governor Fletcher y. Proctors vale
dictory message Is fitting close to
one Of the most able. brilliant and
progressive administrations Vermont
ever enjoyed. This characterization Is
all the praise the message needs. The
message is all tho summing up the
administration needs. Each Is the com
plement OF the other. But the former
The message Is Characteristic of
Governor Proctor's method of admin
istrative visitation. He hardly passes
the time OF day with the official he Is
visiting, before he plunges into the
business in hand. A four limo intro
duction tells OF his availing himself
OF the opportunity to render an ac-
count of his stewardship and submit
recommendations suggested by his Of
Hcial connection with tho executive
department of the State government.
This said he at once plunges into State
finance.
The people OF Vermont have a right
to indulge IN feeling OF pride over
the splendid showing made BY the
financial. SIDE OF Governor Proctor's
biennial term ending Juno 30, 1908.
the total receipts for general purpose
were s2,2o7,a56.es ard tho total ex-
pense s2,os422s.3i. leaving a surplus
for the two years OF 3ll3.l2s.'2. All
bills arc closely paid and there is in
tho treasury available for general
purposes tho sum OF sls3,tbs49. The
State has no debt except the Agricul-
tural college fund Registered loan OF
1910. amounting to $1a55oo. and the
Huntingtoa fund s211.lsl.4s. which
was made n ledger liability by the
laws OF 1906.
In other words the State has ne
debt which ordinarily would be charg.
ed over against the surplus receipts
OF the State for the past two years
The last Legislature simply decided tina
the State would now begin to pay a.
It could an obligation which has ex
were used IN the payment OF State ap
propriations. In the light OF thi
statement It is evident the fnancia
showing for the past two years Is a
gratifying as 1t Is unusual.
We shall not take time at presen
10 speak Of Governor Proctor's refer
ence to the State penal Anstitutions
except To say that he places tho sea
OF his commentator on tho act OF IN
last Legislature In placing the man
agement OF the three penal and re
formatory institutions under on
board. He does not favor. however. tn
suggestion to place the penal institu
lions and tho State hospital for tn
insane under one management. wit
two boards It Is possible at compare
lively small cost % secure competer
men who can do splendid service fo
the State whereas II the boards wer
consolidated II would be necessar
either TO Increase tho compensate
involved in devoting practically all {
the time or accept the service OF vas
ly inferior men.
Governor Proctor thinks the cree
ton OF tho office OF printing commits
sioner by tho Legislature in 1905 W;
a wise move. MS a considerable savir
has been effected In the cost OF sui
plies for the State. and he commen'
the faithful and efficient service
Commissioner Frank f. Langley
Barre, particularly with reference
the organization OF the departmer
or the Creation Of the role" as Il
stage people say.
Tho message says that the great
authority and responsibility given
the State railroad commission by Il
last Legislature has worked bcncfcis
iy both to tho public and the raj