Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-12-17

members the fact thet the taxntion com
mission, the executive Of the state AID All
men competenf 10 express an opinion in
this MISTER, are unanimous in the opinion
that this bill Is drawn along the right
lines and said that II the leRlslnture Of
1908 went upon record as having passed
these three associated bills, Il would
stand crowned ia history.
OTHER SPEAKERS PRO AND CON
Many other members took part in tbs
debate on this bul.
Mr.. williams Of Newport referred to
the report OF the special tax commission
and commended Il for its fairness. He
said We must look at this question IN .
broad way and not be blinded BY any To-
cal conditions. Only in this way shall
We Be able to solve this problem. Every
state in the union except I've has aool-
ished Offsets and in these states that have
done away with them no serious attempt
has been made 70 90 hack to former con-
ditlons. He urged the passage Of the bill
as an experiment worth trying.
Mr.. Boutwell, Of Stockbridge declared
that abolishing offsets would be lowering
the standard In Vermont. It ID selling
the birthriRht Of the sons and daughters
OF Vermont, both in abolishing Offsets
and In fixing q fat rate on intangibles.
II we pass this bin the very Goddess Of
Agriculture on the dome OF the state
house viii bow her head In shame be-
cause Of the depravity of her sons.
Mr.. Jones OF Sudbury said the taxpay-
ers OF Vermont have come up 70 the legis-
lature through their representatives ask
ing the Joint special committee on taxa
tion for bread and they have been given
stone la this bill. He said that z. d.
Proctor in his retiring message said moth
ing about Rbolishing offsets. No meas
ure 80 far reaching and vicious Is the bill
under consideration has ever been passed
by q Vermont legislature. Mr.. Jones
read the recommendation Of retiring
Governor Proctor in his message 10 which
he referred to taxation and urged the
House to adopt It.
Mr.. Daniels Of East Montpelier favored
the bill both because he believed it to be
right and because he thought a majority
Of his constituents favored its passage.
Personally he would be q winner to the
tune Of $500 year II the bill il killed,
but he favored It on grounds broader
than personal ones. Inasmuch IS several
OF the previous speakers have quoted
Scripture, Mr.. Daniels said he believed
the quotation, aUnto him that hath shall
be given and unto him that hath not
shall be taken away even that he hath
applies to the system Of taxation in vogue
in Vermont today.
Mr.. Miller Of Bethel opposed the bill
as wrong in principle. He thought the
question should be looked at from The
standpoint OF the towns and showed how
the bill II enacted into law would work
an injury to the leading manufactures Of
Bethel.
HITCHCOCK FAvORS THE BILL
Mr.. Hitchcock OF Pittsford, who was {
member Of the special tax commission fol-
the past two years, spoke in favor Of tbs
bill. He thonght abolishing Offsets a.
experiment worth trying. This bill i
fundamental. II It is killed, there vii
be no reform in the taxation system o.
Vermont for at least two years. ThI
present law is unsound, without references
to the way il Is enforced. Mr.. Hitchcock
gave concrete examples OF some Of thu
things laid bare by the tax commission
in its investigation In the last two year
and asked the House II, In the light o
such disclosure, Il wished to retain tn
present offset Law.
Mr.. Davis Of Springfield discussed tn
bill from the standpoint OF the man VIII
owes money, especially the farmers, ans
showed how il this bill becomes > Law tn
farmer will still be ahead of the game
as viii the man Of smaller means who !
In debt for the house In which he live
and which he owns. Mr.. Davis said on
constituents might blame us II we passes
this bill, but il we fail to carry out tn
recommendations OF the tax commission
II we do not follow their recommends
tions and the pledges of the party plat
form, our constituents viii surely hav
cause to criticize us for our neglect 0
duty.
Mr.. Locklin Of Richford thought tn
bill would be detrimental to the aRricul
tural and manufacturing interests OF tn
state. II this bill passes we viii hav
more abandoned farms, we may rs wei
repeal our deer laws and turn our farm
into deer pastures. Such a law woul
|. drive out the industries OF Richford.
Mr.. Bacon of Hartford could see d
connection between this bill and tn
|. question Of double taxation which til
legislature Of 1906 was asked TO relieve
Mr.. Bacon said be believed in homes
. Offsets and opposed the bill under consio
Z Grafton.
LEARY SAYS TWILL BE HARMFUL
4 Mr.. Leary of Burlington thought tn
a proposed measure an excellent idea froE
. the standpoint OF the state. It will IL
e crease the grand list in the state s31, 600
D 900. Mr.. Leary called attention to exis
e ing conditions in Vermont and said II
present law holds out Inducements frol
d towns for manufacturing concerns to L
n cate therein, while the bill under consil
= Grafton will have tendency to drive OF
y such manufacturing interests. The OTIS
Ie may have been abused, but in Buriingto
> there are many lines Of business wbiC
It could not live except on borrowed capt.
and their Legitimate Offsets for such DO
n rowed money. he thought the bill vi
% der discussion would not remedy existiI
r conditions. Men not in debt now clai
4, no offset and how can we, BY making til
ID bill . law, increase our grand list fro
/. such menf While the dominant party
e the state may have pledged itself to SUI
al legislation, the bill now under consider
rion should be discussed from 3 non-pl
tisan standpoint. Mr.. Learv said th
personally he Is In favor OF the bill but
Al