The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-12-01


forms, TO do things. There were nearly
200 in the House aud 22 in the Senate,
and after shaking hands all around and
extending congratulations on the absence
Of smallpox Indications, also sympathy
for enlarged and inhamed arms, the leg.
islators tool, their seats aud commenced
the Thanksgiving Christmas interien
with viii that looks like accomplish
ment The Senate was the FIRST 10 all
iourn but the House kept grinding away
for some time, disposing Of several inn
portant measures.
The most important business transact.
ed was the passage in The House Of a
bill that win set the taN-dodgers on pins
and needles. II is House bill $50, by Mr..
Barber Of Brattleboro, which gives
towns unlimited power TO proceed
against property holders for the collce.
tion Of taxes on property which has
been dodged In the inventories and, after
death, TO collect from the estate on tax
uble property which Is shown up.
Many believe that IL Is the most far.
reaching measure that las yet been pass
ed, as IL is absolutely new legislation
tending to encourage, by the use OF the
law as a big stick, an honest inventory.
10 means this; II town can show up
taxable property on which taxes have
not been paid, II can collect for bacl;
failures OF payment, although it applies
only TO failures alter the present time,
for the bill takes effect upon is pass
age.
After man Is dead action can he
brought by the towns TO collect on tax
able property which is revealed and on
which It Is shown that taxes have not
been paid. II man who has paid taxes
on S2,500 dies and it is found that for
twelve years he mas been dodging taxes
on $4,000, the town may collect what
should have como to IL in taxes on the
$4,000 for twelve years with interest,
for there is clause IN the bill that says
the statute Of limitations shall not run
against such right of recovery.
Mr.. Barber was called upon to explain
the bill with respect to claims by the
town on the commissioners Of an estate
for back taxes and he said that the
towns must put in their claims before
the estate was settled in accordance with
the requirements OF any claimants under
the present law. The bill passed by a
rising vote, 81 to 90.
The bill, which is not long, is printed
below:
Section l. person. company OF cor
poration shall be liable to town, school
or fire district, or incorporated village,
for such damages as shall accrue to it
by reason Of the failure Of such person,
company or corporation to make a cor
rect inventory of all property taxable
therein, to be recovered in an action on
this statue. The measure Of damages in
such action shall be the difference be-
tween the tax paid by the person, com
pany or corporation, and the tax that
would have been paid ii correct inven.
tory of all taxable property had been
returned, together with interest thereon
at the rate Of six per cent. per annunl.
II person dies, such right Of action
shall survive against his estate, and the
statute of limitations shall not run
against such right Of recovery.
Section 2, This act shall take effect
upon passage.
Governor Prouty Besieged.
Governor Prouty took his place In
the governors room aud received both
callers and more petitions, calling upon
him to veto the bill allowing does, as
well az bucks, to b shot during the open
season. Two largely signed petitions
came in from Northiield, one from the
gun club and the other from private citi- |
zens. The hills originated in the House
and passed the Senate before the recess.
It went to the clerk of the House and !
last night had not come to the governor
for signature, although it win come in
to-day It cannot be reconsidered now
without suspension of the rules on a
two-thirds vote.
Governor Prouty has not sent in to
the senate his appointment Of bank COM
missioner and viii not do so until pend
ing legislation affecting the duties of the
commissioner is disposed Of, The present
is +. A. Cobb Of Island
Pond, who will not be candidate for re-
This is one of the few officers who
holds Office until his successor is chosen.
The statute says, "a bank commissioner,
etc, shall be biennially appointed by the
governor, with the advice and consent Of
The Senate. and shall hold Office until his
II 10 appointed and quail.
aed."