St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-04-01

| | am fully aware of the inequalities OF
taxation existing in Vermont at the
present time and this is one of the great
questions which must be passed on by
the coming legislature believe that
the proper course was taken during the
last session in providing for a commits
sion TO thoroughly investigate coudi
tons and To make such report as they
thought best after duly considering all
matters brought to their attention
That commission is made up of men OF
such great ability and sound Judgment
that have no doubt they will make such
recommendations as 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
taxation than at the present time.
Personally feel that the greatest
difficulty with our system of taxation is
non-taxation. that those people who
have large amounts of property fail to
pay their just proportion. As the law
is today man owns 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 million
dollars in stocks and bonds and all he
has to do is to refuse to make an nven-
tory in which case the listers may find
what they can and double his list, which
may not amount to hundredth part of
what he is actually worth. | am well
aware that this is a very hard matter to
regulate but we should certainly make
an honest effort to do away with any
such state of affairs and | have great
hopes that when the report of the COM
mission is received some remedy will be
offered which will appear to be feasible.
| trust that when such report is received
and is placed before the legislature no
hasty action will be taken as has been
done some times in the past.
believe the resources of our state are
very great not only in our uuarries and
mines but in our undeveloped water
powers and our beautiful scenery and
that 1t would be for the best interests of
our state to have the board of agricul-
ture or some other equally suitable agent
take all means possible to advertise our
resources and attractions to those re-
siding elsewhere with a view of bringing
them to Vermont either as visitors or
1t is true that our state expenses have
been increasing very rapidly and that
during the last session of the legislature
more money was appropriated than dur
ing previous sessions but was partly
owing to the fact that our state institu-
tons had not been kept in suitable con-
dition and 1t was necessary to make
many needed changes In my Judgment
appropriations should not be as large
during the coming session as they were
during the past one and | should certain
~ strive to see that no money was ex-
pended that was not absolutely needed.
We must be economical in our expendi-
ture and should certainly strive to that
end.
There are other matters which might
be taken up and which are of great i'm.
portance but do not care to make this
statement longer than it already is. |
can simply assure the citizens of Vermont
that If they should see fit to elect me to
the position of governor | should work |
only for the welfare and prosperity of |
the state; that | have absolutely no |
political debts to pay or agreements to |
carry out, and that | shall be perfectly
free to recommend such policies as It |
seems to me will be best for the welfare
and prosperity of our glorious state.