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

Governor Prd9ty has shown at the
very outset that no intends to do
things. While he frankly says he
hopes to carry out the commendable
policies begun SO auspiciously by his
predecessor, he recognizes tho fact
that new conditions have made IT nee
essary for him to take the initiative
in various directions. At the very
outset of his message he boldly tack
les the pressing problem of taxation.
and offers some very interesting
believe with some people that this
Legislature will not be able to ac-
complish anything in the direction of
taxation reform.
On tho contrary Governor Prouty
realizes that the majority in this Leg
islature has been committed to GER
tain measures by this party platform
promises. and that tho party will be
held responsible by the people. II
nothing is accomplished. He does not
say all this In his message. but ne
shows in that document that he pro-
poses to do his best 20 help the Leg
islature toward solution OF ths sit
uation, or at least partial solution
of the various problems Of taxation
confronting the people of Vermont
and their representatives.
That something should be done Is
shown by figures quoted from the re.
port OF Commissioner OF Taxes Cush-
man. indicating that tho net amount
of personal property paying tax af-
ter the allowance OF offsets has de-
creased from s13704,es7 in 1900 to
s1l.5s7.42o in 1908. or a reduction OF
s2.106.e87. During the same time the
, debt offsets for personal property In
creased from s27.17I.css to $31.772. 542.
In view of the known increase in
the wealth OF the people OF Vermont
since 1900. this discreditable showing
:. constitutes in and OF itself an I'M
oiS cl aDlc al III idNOT VI the
adoption OF some means to compel
personal property to bear its fair
share OF the burden OF taxation. In
the light OF these figures It Is safe
to say that unless something is done
-, something Will drop, and 1t will no,
be the Governor.
Governor Prouty SHOWS that the
present condition of affairs has re-
suited from variety OF causes, In
a few listers. extreme and often In
g excusable carelessness on tho part OF
listers. a lack OF uniformity In the ap,
praisal OF real estate.
Each lister makes oath that he will
:. appraise all personal and real propert!
. at its true value In money. and every
intelligent citizen knows that not ONT
in a hundred pieces OF property arr
assessed at their true value. Undel
. these circumstances the first problem
Is how to compel listers to observe
:, their oath Of office. 1t Is not impos
!. sible that were State commission t,
=, be required to haul delinquent ant
!. recalcitrant assessors over tho Goals
% a few examples might help solve tn
problem so far as tho equalization O
=. ent towns and different counties 1
:. concerned.
1t Is evident. however. that the &C
=, complishment Of this object. namel
j., the appraisal Of all property at II
, value in money, while equalizing tn
., burden Of the taxes paid for the sup
= the grand list and rcdistributed &C
cording to the number OF schools an
no mileage of roads respectively. woul
n, increase the disproportion betwee
~ the burdens borne by real estate an
NJ tho slight tax comparatively paid b
@. personal property.
with all property appraised at II
value in money and tho recommends
20 ton Of Governor Prouty for the abo
do ishment Of Offsets for debts OWN
as against personal property. the grar
1, list would be increased to an enormo,
I'm degree with corresponding reductic
ar In the rate Of taxation.
III With these two objects accomplish
so ed many people believe that It won
va be a difficult matter to improve o,
system OF taxation, but the remov
n. OF offsets would necessarily be an e
,al pertinent. and experience would sho
Of whether the people wanted It to
,al permanent. II the step proved not
or. be advisable no great degree OF har
lus could result in two years. whereas
ate the benefits therefrom overshad low
IN the disadvantages. a marked step
advance would have been taken and
hat marked injustice In taxation remove
led Governor Prouty endorses tho re
of ommendation of the special commit
tae sion on taxation for that intangii
ms property such as stocks, bonds al
for similar evidences OF the possession